Sunday, September 19, 2010

BRUNCH WITH BINGO: THE COMFORT OF APPLES: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO
BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"BRUNCH WITH BINGO DAY"

I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS SUNDAY'S
"BRUNCH WITH BINGO DAY"
FOOD BOOK CHOICE IS.....

GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE COMFORT OF APPLES
BY PHIL AND LAUREN RUBIN


ABOUT THE COOKBOOK:

Nearly 100 surprising and savory recipes for a favorite fruit!

The idea for The Comfort of Apples came to chefs Philip and Lauren Rubin when, after an afternoon spent picking apples at a local orchard, they looked at each other and wondered, "What do we do with them?" With the abundance of apples filling farmer's markets, supermarket produce sections, and orchards every fall, it is a rare soul who doesn't wind up with a veritable bounty of apple varieties filling their larder for at least several months out of the year. And yet many cooks don't realize that apples have infinite cooking applications beyond sauces, crisps, and pies. As this beautifully illustrated book shows, they can be julienned raw in a salad; poached whole in wine; used in the form of cider as a deglazing or braising liquid; fermented into warm drinks; or juiced and turned into sorbet. The list goes on.

Excited by the many uses for the humble apple, the authors here share nearly one hundred original recipes that will take the home cook beyond the basics -- recipes for breakfast, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. In addition, they suggest the best apples for certain recipes, including many unconventional varieties that are showing up at greenmarkets and farm stands across North America. Some of the mouthwatering recipes include Poached Eggs and Apple Butter; Crostini with Clams, Bacon, and Apples; Oysters with Apple and Lime Granite; Crisp Pork Belly with Lentils and Applesauce; Gnocchi with Cauliflower, Peas, and Apples; and Applesauce Spice Cake with Penuche Icing


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Philip and Lauren Rubin, authors of The Comfort of Apples: Modern Recipes for an Old-Fashioned Favorite, and graduates of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, own 2 Peas & A Pot, a Manhattan catering company. They previously worked in several restaurants, including Cafe Luxembourg, Union Pacific, and Tribeca Grill. Lauren has also worked as a personal chef and recipe tester at Good Housekeeping. They have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, and were the subjects of a full-length feature in BizBash, the premier trade magazine for event planners. They live in New York City with their son, Henry.

For more information please visit
www.2peasandapot.com and follow the authors on Twitter.

MY REVIEW:

THE COMFORT OF APPLES by Phil and Lauren Rubin is a wonderful book that is as yummy to look at as are the recipes inside are to taste. The pages within yield about one hundred recipes using every kind of apple from the most common to the newer ones that we see in our produce sections at the store all the time. The subtitle of “MODERN RECIPES FOR AN OLD-FASHIONED FAVORITE” is so very true and honestly, who doesn’t feel comforted by an old-fashioned recipe using apples for example in the apple pie you had for dinner last night, or the apple sauce that may have been one of the first solid foods you ate as a baby? Filled with ideas for everything from breakfast, to entrees, appetizers, desserts, and more, THE COMFORT OF APPLES gives recipes that are as easy to make and clearly explained as the they are delicious.

I found the chart in the beginning of the book that describes how apples taste to be invaluable. I see so many apples and never really know much about how they taste or what they can be used for unless I buy them, eat them, and try them. This chart takes away the guess work. It has listed 41 different kinds of apples and organizes them by their taste from Sweet-tart, Sweet, and Tart, and tells whether they are better for eating or for putting in a pie! Certain apples lend themselves better for cooking and others being crisp and sweet or tart, are preferred for eating raw.

The introduction includes, beside the apple chart, information on orchards and about the pests that can invade them, and how people should properly pick apples. I couldn't help but think back to my favorite folk tale, Johnny Appleseed, and how he planted apple orchards all over the country. It also gives vital information about cooking apples in general, the equipment you use for apples such as a mandoline (not the one for music but rather for thinly slicing apples on a sharp, angled instrument) and a food mill ("crucial for apple butter"). I thought the information on canning was a nice addition and was amazed when I read the part about "cutting an apple"! The next ten chapters then go into the recipes and divide them up by everything from Breakfast to Cocktails, Snacks and Salads to Sauces and Condiments, Meat and Poultry to Fish, Pasta and Side Dishes, and of course, DESSERTS!

These mouthwatering recipes are delectable and include so many uses for apples that I never thought of. Green Apple Gelato, Apple Risotto, Citrus Beets with Apples, or Mac 'N Cheese are just a few of the ways of using apples I would never have imagined and the fact that they actually seemed like even I could cook them, is a plus for this book right away. Surely German Apple Pancakes and Apple Cake could be good starts but then to branch out to BLT with Cider Aioli or BBQ some Cider Ribs opens up a whole new way of looking at apples. I’d love to continue to list “what I want to try first” but with each recipe I read and see, and the wonderful presentations from Lauren and Phil Rubin, I keep changing my mind. So before I switch to Coconut Panna Cotta with Caramel Apples or Apple Ice Cream, I’m off to make some Apple Bread Pudding and I’ll let you know how it turns out. But if mine is half as good as it sounds, it will be YUM-MY!

One final note I will make is there are pictures of ingredients and lots of apples but not really finished dishes. At first, I didn't like the idea but the more I think about it, my food never come out looking like the cookbook so maybe as long as it tastes good, this will not disappoint me when I have the finished product!
Either way, with Philip and Lauren Rubin's THE COMFORT OF APPLES, an apple a day won’t be such a hard thing to stick to at all!

WATCH FOR SOME GREAT RECIPES FROM THE COOKBOOK TOMORROW AS WELL AS SOME BONUS ENTRIES TO WIN THIS WONDERFUL COOKBOOK!


GIVEAWAY
THANK TO ANNA AT FSB ASSOCIATES,
I HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS YUMMY
COOKBOOK TO GIVE AWAY



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THE COMFORT OF APPLES COOKBOOK THAT YOU READ ABOUT ABOVE AND THE RUBIN'S TALENTS BY VISITING THEIR WEBSITE HERE
+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW


+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON A FAVORITE RECIPE THAT YOU MAKE, OR ONE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN TO MAKE, THAT INCLUDES APPLES!

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST,
OCTOBER 6


GOOD LUCK!

47 comments:

debbie said...

I loved that they used apples in the main course. I learned the author graduated from University of Michigan.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I make really good apple pie, I would like a good apple cake recipe.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I love apples. Growing up we had an apple orchard which I loved and I loved to eat all the good things that my grandmother made with them. This book makes me nostalgic and i really would like to win it.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

My favorite recipe to make with apples is an baked apple dish that my kids love. We usually have it with pork chops. It's basically apples and brown sugar for the most part. It's warm and filling and full of apples.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

traveler said...

What a delightful book. Everything about it appeals to me since apples are a staple for us. I cook and bake with them. This book is a treasure. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Every fall for the holidays I make a special apple cake which is delectable. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

We used to pick apples at an apple orchard closeby. I enjoyed going every autumn and using the apples for so many wonderful treats. This book appeals to me since it represents beauty and reality. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Connie said...

I thought it was interesting that both of them were in different careers before going into making food.

This will be a great cookbook to own. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

petite said...

I make applesauce which is a tradition for our family. Everyone enjoys this lovely dish. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Connie said...

Hi! I have a recipe where I can make apple dumplings relatively easy. You use about 5 or 6 apples, one can of cresent rolls. Then you use one can of Mountain Dew or Coke for the apples to cook in the pan while baking. Makes them very moist and yummy! :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Suburban prep said...

It makes sense that they would have cooking classes for apples and also for other items and have what looks to be a wonderful book. THe apple risotto grabbed me.

msgb245 at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

I would love to learn how to make the Dutch apple pancake.

Benita said...

I really like that there are lots of pictures. And I learned that the author went to the University of Michigan.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I make a great Apple Charlotte. The recipe comes from a Russian Cookbook entitled, Please to the Table.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

I want to check out the list of 41 types of apples. That way I can try some new kinds.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

An Apple Strudel would be good to learn how to make.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

hendy said...

I find it interesting that this cookbook is devoted to the apple ingrediant and that apples can be used raw in a salad; poached in wine; fermented into warm drinks; or turned into sorbet. Who knew?
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

To add to my last post-I found it interesting that Phil Rubin graduated from Harvard and Lauren worked in finance before they became chefs.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

I don't have any receipes I make with apples though I would love to learn how to make apple cobbler. YUMMMMY! hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

annie said...

my favourite apple recipe is good old english Apple Crumble. You can't beat a good apple crumble on a wintery sunday afternoon!

annie said...

my favourite apple recipe is good old english Apple Crumble. You can't beat a good apple crumble on a wintery sunday afternoon!

holdenj said...

I think it's a perfect time of year to learn how to use apples in as many ways possible! Looks very interesting!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I think the Apple Risotto looks kind of good and definitely a way I've never used apples!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Henderson said...

I found it interesting that the book had information on canning. Also discovered that the authors do cooking classesin your home.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I tweeted this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/BookOwner/status/25090138012

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I would like to learn how to make Apple Strudel.

seriousreader at live dot com

Pamela Keener said...

I love apples and to learn about different ways of cooking them for different courses is awesome. I learned that the authors will come to you home and have a cooking class right there. Lauren was in San Franciisco working in finance prior to coming back east and going to cooking school.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Carol W. said...

I found it interesting that both of the Rubins started out in other careers- finance and journalism.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol W. said...

A favorite recipe I make is apple crisp.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I love it has an apple chart explaining the different apple types and their uses! I never know which to choose!
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

A fave apple recipe I often make for dessert for dinner parties is Apple Bavarian Torte!
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

I used to make skillet apples and cinnamon all the time :)
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

It was interesting they found so many ways to use apples and it's interesting the authors have cooking classes :)
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

Tweet! http://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/25484031537
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

g.g. said...

My mom used to make the best baked apple crisp and I wish I knew how

anjamie4 at gmail dot com

g.g. said...

I think it is interesting that they both work together as that is often hard for a married couple

anjamie4 at gmail dot com

nfmgirl said...

Blogged:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2010/09/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-09-25-10.html

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I have a recipe for an apple cheesecake with a caramel sauce. Yum!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

dag888888 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dag888888 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dag888888 said...

The recipes are not only delicious but also clearly explained, that helps a lot! It's impressive that Phil went to Harvard and Lauren worked in finance before embarking on their culinary careers!

dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

I grew up in apple country - I love that this book offers so many different uses for apples

misaacmom at gmail dot com

lag123 said...

I loved that after the authors spent an afternoon picking apples in an orchard they looked at each other and wondered what to do with them. Thus... the cookbook.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lag32583/status/26476267171

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

My fav apple reciped is Cheese Apples. It is to die for!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Adam Smith said...

I'm intrigued by their use of apples with gnocchi, something I'd never even considered (even though gnocchi is my favorite pasta).

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY