Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs

From the Emmy-nominated host of the award-winning Top Chef, an A-to-Z compendium of spices, herbs, salts, peppers, and blends, with beautiful photography and a wealth of explanation, history, and cooking advice.Award-winning cookbook author and television host Padma Lakshmi, inspired by her life of traveling across the globe, brings together the world's spices and herbs in a vibrant, comprehensive alphabetical guide. This definitive culinary reference book is illustrated with rich color photographs that capture the essence of a diverse range of spices and their authentic flavors. The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs includes complete descriptions, histories, and cooking suggestions for ingredients from basic herbs to the most exotic seeds and chilies, as well as information on toasting spices, making teas, and infusing various oils and vinegars. And no other market epitomizes Padma's love for spices and global cuisine than where she spent her childhood-lingering in the aisles of the iconic gourmet food store Kalustyan's, in New York City.Perfect for the holiday season and essential to any well-stocked kitchen or cooking enthusiast, The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs is an invaluable resource as well as a stunning and adventurous tour of some of the most wondrous and majestic flavors on earth.

Reviews

"Her words are so ever present and her descriptions so in-depth...I will carry this tome with me for a year. Everyone should have a copy of this encyclopedia in their collection." -- Mario Batali "From advieh to zedoary, Lakshmi stirs your sense of wanderlust...Along the way, she acts as both a tour guide and a fellow traveler on a journey through an abundant world of herbs and spices. It's a trip as educational as it is exciting." -- Thomas Keller "'This book takes you on an entirely new journey, which begins at advieh and ends at zedoary. Ranging far beyond the usual repertoire of familiar names, this is the perfect book for the curious cook." -- Ruth Reichl "A beautiful book by Padma Lakshmi featuring an extensive catalogue and helpful recommendations on how best to use these ingredients to create full-flavored dishes. A great resource for any chef or home cook." -- Eric Ripert