A Cook's Tour of Minnesota

I am really enjoying this cookbook. It is a great mixture so history, culture, recipes, and food essays. It follows the people of Minnesota, Native to recent immigrants. I think it was published a little too soon for East African cuisine to be included, so I would recommend that if they reissue it. Of course I am a native Minnesotan, so I am a little biased towards the concept. Even so, I would be interested in reading similar books about other states and the food they have there. It was a fun way to learn a lot about culture through food.

Ann Burckhardt is a former reporter, columnist, and editor for the Taste (food) section of the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. Her fantastic credentials don't stop there, though. She's written and edited dozens of books on food, even the Betty Crocker Cooky Book. This book brings together her years of knowledge and experience, and her love of the food world. It is full of pleasures--food, good writing, and a writer's passion for her topic. The subject is the food scene of Minnesota. But, this book has appeal far beyond state lines. This long-time journalist's skill at bringing people and places to life makes it a worthy read for any writer. There's nothing about it I didn't enjoy! If that isn't enough to entice, the recipes surely will ... Lemon-Butter Bars, Créme Brulèe French Toast, and Magic Marshmallow Crescent Treats. Also, there's Marion Ross's Cheesy Macaroni Bake with Spam, or Endlessly Easy Chicken Breasts, among others. --Review by Sarah Tieck excerpted from The Writer's Notebook, July 2005 issue