Dominique's Tropical Latitudes

I was really inspired when I read this book. Honestly, I don't do a lot of cooking and I tend to cook the same thing over and over. Bur I was recently given the book and it has truly inspired me. The recipes are very creative and many of them are actually simple to follow. What did book did for me was to open my mind to the tropical fruits and vegetables that I had overlooked in the past. I have discovered new flavors and textures in my kitchen. The book has some great dishes that make festive party food. The book as good photos, it is laid out very handsomely, and it is just the right size. I don't like books that are so big that they are hard to handle in the kitchen. And I don't like books that skimp on information - this book does have a lot of recipes and. The book is very attractive. The Longitude/Latitude "thing" is a novel idea, but it doesn't do anything for me; I guess if I traveled a lot, it could appreciate it. Overall, I consider this book a very good value.

Co-authored by Dominique Macquet (chef-partner of Dominique's in the Hotel Maison Dupuy in the New Orleans French Quarter) and culinary authority John Demers, the focused theme of "Dominique's Tropical Latitudes" are 115 superbly crafted recipes drawn from tropical cultures and countries from around the world. Superbly illustrated with more than ninety-five color photographs of completed dishes, the step-by-step and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes range from Salmon-Crabmeat Roses with Horseradish Creme Fraiche; Peri-Peri Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad; Oxtail and Pigeon Pea Soup; and Balinese Satay; to Beef Medallions with Rum-Butter Mushroom Sauce; Aromatic Basmati Rice; Chocolate Glazed Papaya Cake; and Nonalcoholic Tropical Punch. Of special note is the little 'info blocks' offering the latitude and longitude degrees for the various dishes. An exotic addition to any personal, professional, or community library cookbook reference collection, "Dominique's Tropical Latitudes" is particularly recommended for anyone wanting to add a 'touch of the tropics' to a particularly celebratory dining occasion.