Tapas books.

Here you will find a selection of excellent tapas books, plus other books on lifestyle and food or cooking in general.

Although websites are great for instant information and research, there's nothing quite like the look, smell and feel of a good book, is there?

I have a kitchen full of tapas books and cookery and recipe books which is ever-growing. I think they're breeding while I'm not looking!

Seriously though, I just love books and I can't seem to go anywhere these days without coming back with a book or three.

Below is a selection of cookery books that have either found their way onto my shelves already or are on my 'to buy' list.

As we live in Spain, and this is a site about tapas, you'll also find a lot of books to do with Spain and the Spanish lifestyle here.

Ordering and delivery.

For US visitors just click the link or the picture of any book you're interested in and you will be taken directly to a page where you can find out more and order safely and securely.

The book list.

There are quite a few books here but then Spain and Spanish cooking are BIG subjects!

Have a look and I'm sure you will find one which suits you perfectly. Happy browsing!

 

Tapas: The Little Dishes of Spain
by Penelope Casas

Soft Cover.

Penelope Casas brings us more than three hundred wonderful tapas recipes that have long been a tradition of Spain.

The recipes are straightforward and easy to follow. The quantities in the tapa recipes are such that even if there are just two of you, you can still have delightful snacks evoking memories of Spain.

The book is presented in four sections: Tapas in Sauce; Marinades, Pâtés and Other Cold Tapas; Tapas with Bread and Pastry; and Tapas with some last minute preparation. Penelope follows with some menu suggestions.

If you're at all interested in the tapas dishes of Spain then this is a book you shouldn't be without.

 

Tapas - A Taste of Spain in America
by Jose Andres

Hard Cover.

Andrés, a protégé of modern Spanish culinary padre Ferran Adria, stresses the importance of "sticking to the basics". Each recipe in his debut collection of tapas is stunningly standout.

Recipes are introduced with an anecdote, helpful hints and simple variations. And traditional Spanish dishes that typically take hours to prepare have been updated to accommodate modern cooks' schedules.

Though Andrés omits desserts (with the exception of flan, courtesy of mamá), he more than makes up for it with entire chapters dedicated to mushrooms, tomatoes and even garlic.

Andrés showcases the bounty and vibrancy of Spanish cuisine, explaining through his precise and charming philosophy that "tapas are for eating at home or with friends."

260 color photos.

 

The Foods and Wines of Spain
by Penelope Casas

Sturdy hardcover format.

'The Foods and Wines of Spain' is the basic text on Spanish cooking. It is a classic, a one of a kind cookbook to introduce you to the wealth of savory and enjoyable flavors that make up the uniquely Spanish expression of healthy Mediterranean cuisine.

Penelope Casas shares with us her own enchantment with the Spanish people and their love of good living.

She gives us the origins of the dish, bits of local lore, evocation of towns and countryside, and descriptions of little known out-of-the-way eating places, as well as the gourmet restaurants.

If you only ever buy one book on Spanish cooking, make it this one.

 

Discovering Spain: An Uncommon Guide
by Penelope Casas

This is the perfect guide for Americans who want to discover the real Spain. It is a personal record of years of travel throughout Spain by an articulate and educated woman of good taste, and her Spanish husband, Luís.

She guides you through the highways and byways where you discover the real Spain, devoid of tourists. Of course, she covers the classic tourist attractions in detail - but through the eyes of a discerning couple.

Discovering Spain is not just another of those annual "one-size-fits-all" travel guidebooks, put together by committee. Don't waste your money on them.

This book is the definitive guide. Penelope updates the information every two years to make sure all details are accurate.

 

Paella! Spectacular Rice Dishes from Spain
by Penelope Casas

Hardcover

'Paella!' will bring fresh new dimensions to the great rice dish you have enjoyed in the past. Includes 58 unique recipes and in-depth information on this most Spanish of dishes.

Inside you will find such unique recipes as: Scallop and Mushroom Paella; Rabbit Paella with Red Pepper and Almonds; Chicken Paella Andalucían Style; Chorizo and Olive Paella; Rosemary-Scented Shellfish and Egg Paella.

You'll never be stuck for a rice recipe again!

 

My Kitchen in Spain
by Janet Mendel

My Kitchen in Spain' is a charming personal cookbook and memoir. It was named as one of the top cookbooks of the year.

Ms. Mendel encourages you to approach the soul of southern Spain through its cuisine.

She is one of those people who visited Spain by chance, and fell so in love with the culture that she remains there to this day! I know how she feels.

This is her first cookbook published in the United States, and a welcome addition to any kitchen bookshelf.

Janet has an open and appealing style to her writing. She clearly enjoys the people of Andalucía (and the food that they prepare) and she is able to translate this love to her recipes and on to the reader. As you read through her book, you will feel like an old friend, meeting her neighbors.

Janet's cookbook 'My Kitchen in Spain' celebrates the rich flavors and regional traditions of Spanish cooking. There are over 200 recipes in this book!

 

La Cocina de Mamá - The Great Home Cooking of Spain
by Penelope Casas

Penelope Casas has added another excellent cookbook to her impressive collection.

Personally, I think it is her best - written with warmth and maturity. It is an invaluable key to the essence of Spanish cuisine.

Penelope presents "down home" recipes prepared by Spanish families through the years.

Simple, homespun food that reminds everyone of home and hearth: baby lamb chops, succulent garlic chicken, rib-sticking bean stews - comfort foods beyond compare.

Her book is perfect for cooks of all levels, as well as those who dream of going (or returning) to Spain.

Anyone who loves the exuberance and simplicity of Spanish cooking absolutely must have this sensational book.

 

Pig Perfect
by Peter Kaminsky

Sub-titled: Encounters with Remarkable Swine and Some Great Ways to Cook Them.

This is an entertaining and definitive book about pork, with a good section on Jamon Iberico.

Read this book if you want the full story of the pig and how its environment greatly affects its flavour and quality of life.

The section about the commercial factory-farming of these animals will have you thinking very hard about where you buy your next pork chop!

The great asset Kaminsky brings to the table, so to speak, is his undiluted enthusiasm for piggy eating experiences.

Overall, his book is not only a great read with a mouth-watering topic, but a thought-provoking look at how our food interacts with the world around it, and how it can bring people together.

 

The Spanish Kitchen
by Clarissa Hyman

Hardcover

English food writer Clarissa Hyman's latest book, The Spanish Kitchen, gives you the best of both worlds.

It is a beautifully illustrated cookbook with stunning illustrations worthy of any coffee table; and a cookbook that is so well written it will serve as an authoritative resource book for anyone who would like to learn more about the fresh, approachable food of Spain.

Clarissa Hyman's writing is a joy to read, and her grasp of the subject material is impressive.

She frames her recipes intelligently, dividing the chapters by region and ingredients. The selection of gorgeous photographs reflects her knowledge of the products and the areas in which they are made.

It is full of lush pictures of historic structures and soaring cathedrals. Her pictures of people in the small villages are particularly appealing.

This is a great book to browse when you have time to plan leisurely meals.

 

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Keep watching this space for more mouth-watering book recommendations!

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Feria time!