ROOTS - The Definitive Compendium
by Diane Morgan
As heavy as a basket of fresh produce dug up from the garden, this detailed book is loaded with information about what lies below.
Root vegetables are often given less attention than their smooth-skinned cousins, like tomatoes and peppers, but there is much to be gained from the rough-covered foods that have lived in the soil. The recipes are the heart of this book, which is organized into 28 chapters arranged alphabetically by vegetable. Within each chapter is history, lore, names and descriptions of popular varieties, tips on seasonal availability and more. From the mundane to the exotic, Morgan provides information about root vegetables that will inspire you to seek out new ones for your own cooking. - TP
List price - $45
ASIAN TOFU
by Andrea Nguyen
Tofu has been relegated to the health food section for years but it is ready to step into the spotlight. Considered a staple in the Asian diet it has been slow to be welcomed into the western mainstream.
Author Andrea Nguyen wants to help deliver this tasty soy product to the tables of North America. Beginning with the history of tofu, Nguyen provides a look at various types of tofu in a buying guide. She follows this with cooking tips before moving on to the ultimate experience where you make tofu yourself and create the freshest possible tofu for your cooking.
With nearly 100 recipes featured there is an abundance of great ideas for cooking with this healthy ingredient that becomes the delicious canvas for your creations. - TP
List price - $36
BURMA - RIVERS OF FLAVOR
by Naomi Duguid
Nestled between Thailand, Laos, China, and Bangladesh, Burma's myriad dishes seem to have been touched by all of its neighbours to create a flavour distinctly its own.
The tastes, textures, sights, and scents of Burma's central river valleys and outlying hills are all captured in this book. Author Naomi Duguid delves into a little of the history of Burma, but primarily focuses on turmeric sizzling in oil, salads with mango and pomelo and karp curry with herbs. The recipes are generally simple, often featuring shallots, lime juice, and chopped, roasted peanuts. While the country has seen Buddhist monks and invading Mongols, Duguid describes the kitchen table as a political sanctuary. - JS
List price - $35
URBAN SPOON App
Sometimes when you're out with friends or sitting at home with your better half, choosing a place to eat out becomes a tiring exercise. Along comes the Urbanspoon iPhone app. The Urbanspoon display features a slot machine, and when you shake your phone, the slot machine chooses a restaurant in your neighbourhood. You can also browse a comprehensive list of restaurants.
The app allows you to filter the restaurants by neighbourhood, cuisine or price. You can also use it to make reservations or compare restaurant picks with your friends. - RD
Free at iTunes
