Copeland Marks

The Maya—the Indians who inhabited part of Mexico and Central America in pre-Hispanic times—left the modern world a legacy of remarkable cooking that is still practiced in cliffside huts and middle-class haciendas. Copeland Marks has traveled widely throughout Guatemala and other countries that carry the Mayan heritage, in order to introduce us to the everyday pleasures of this little-known cuisine. For anyone who loves the taste of tamales, tortillas, and pungent sauces, this book will provide a rich adventure that begins with—but goes far beyond—those staples of the corn kitchen. The recipes reveal a delightful and accessible cuisine that, in addition to showcasing traditional Mayan flavor profiles, combines culinary ideas from India, Africa, the Caribbean, Great Britain and Spain.

The first cookbook to assess Peruvian cooking, The Exotic Kitchens of Peru provides readers with not only sumptuous and unique recipes, but also a wonderfully detailed history of Peru. Whatever your tastes are, you are sure to discover many new favorite dishes in The Exotic Kitchens of Peru. Illustrated throughout with line drawings, and with a complete glossary of Peruvian culinary terms, this unique cookbook is a must-have for everyone from cookbook collectors to those seeking to learn more about the exotic Peruvian culture.

Well-known writer and food historian Copeland Marks again uses his unique talent for making exotic cuisines available to the home cook in The Burmese Kitchen, the first cookbook to examine the delicious cuisine and culture of this Central Asian country. Tracing its roots back some 2,500 years, Burmese cuisine results from a mixture of religious, tribal, and ethnic influences that produces delightfully varied dishes guaranteed to please even the most jaded palate. The recipes are diverse and reflect Burma’s regional differences. A bacon stew with mild sour flavorings show the Chinese influence from the north, while coconut spiced fish served in envelopes of cabbage points out Burma’s large and bountiful coastline. An especially interesting soup involving toasted rice and pork boiled in spices and shrimp flavoring is the invention of a tribe on the Thailand border. The cuisine of this fascinating, often-ignored nation emphasizes a dazzling array of ingredients and culinary techniques which will win praise for any cook.

Well-known food writer Copeland Marks has a unique talent for going to exotic places and returning with cuisines home cooks can take great pleasure in cooking for themselves. Here is an Indian cookbook that helps us discover delightfully accessible food in unfamiliar kitchens. More than two hundred dishes gloriously represent the range of flavors and cuisines of India’s regional groups including: - Anglo-Indians of Calcutta: Hearty, spicy and deeply satisfying foods. - Bengalis: Delicious seafood and vegetarian dishes, and exquisite desserts. - Jews of Calcutta: Imaginative combinations of Middle Eastern and Indian elements that follow the traditional dietary laws. - Kashmiris: Food that combines Hindu and Muslim traditions with creative use of vegetables, fruits and nuts. - Parsis: Piquant and innovative dishes from the descendents of the Persians. -Tibetans of Darjeeling: Food that displays the shared influence of China and India in Tibetan culture; stuffed breads are a particular favorite. Here is an extraordinary experience for the practical, health-conscious cook and the culinary folklorist alike.