Spooky Fruit from Frieda's Produce

Ghost chiles. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

 Pretty innocent-looking chiles, right? These miniature morsels of molten hellfire are Ghost Chiles, the hottest chile pepper on the planet, certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. These red demons, known as Bhut Jolokia in India, where they are grown, top the heat-o-meter at 1 million Scoville units (jalapenos, by comparison, rate 2,500-5,000, and habaneros 200,000-300,000).

 The witty folks at Frieda's Produce included the Ghost Chiles in their Spooky Pack, sent to me this week. Accompanying the chiles were a Kiwano (Horned Melon), a Buddha's Hand Citron, and bag of black garlic.

Frieda's Spooky Pack. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

 The Kiwano, colored like a Nickelodeon cartoon, is featured in Frieda's Facebook promotion, "Save a Pumpkin, Carve a Kiwano."  Check out the clever carvings on Facebook and contemplate your own Kiwano makeover - be sure to post a picture and you could win goodies from Frieda's.

I've only heard about black garlic before today, probably from watching "Chopped," and assumed it was a variety of garlic, but it is actually fermented and aged garlic, which is why I haven't taken it out its packaging. Frieda's advises using black garlic in barbecues and Asian dishes. Any advice from readers out there?

I experienced the Buddha's Hand citron with my sense of smell before my sense of sight. The floral fragrance was released when I opened the box. My kitchen smells great, a good thing, since the Buddha's Hand is really rather creepy. Looks like a claw, doesn't it?

Buddha's Hand Citron. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Giveaway time! Frieda's Produce will send a Spooky Pack to an A Cook and Her Books reader, so just leave a comment with your favorite spooky food (it doesn't have to be a fruit or vegetable) and a winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, Oct. 28!

This contest is now closed. Thanks for entering!

Text and images copyright 2012, Lucy Mercer.

Disclaimer: Frieda's sent me this lovely Spooky Pack, but other than that, I was not compensated for this post. My opinions are my own. And thanks for reading.

The day I met Emeril Lagasse + #SeriousSandwich Giveaway

Emeril Lagasse.

Back in the days when I worked for a small independent bookstore, cookbooks were my passion (well, they still are), and I eagerly awaited the publisher's catalogs to see what new titles would be available each season, especially the fall. Each autumn, my boss, the owner of the bookstore, would give us one great perk and that was a ticket to SEBA, the Southeastern Booksellers convention, held in a different Southeastern city in September or October. These conferences were a book geek’s idea of heaven. A show floor filled with vendor booths and sales reps dispensing advance review copies of new titles, along with the occasional imprinted water bottle or t-shirt.

There were also lunches and dinners with well-known authors, and along with the meal, attendees would receive signed copies of the authors’ books. In Nashville, I got a signed copy of Waylon Jennings’ autobiography, written about a year before he died. I have signed copies of most of Carl Hiaasen’s crazy-ass Florida mysteries. (Hiaasen, by the way, is just as entertaining as a speaker as on the page.) Legendary authors such as Pat Conroy and James Dickey attended these conventions, kindly met with booksellers and signed books. Conroy, in fact, is one of the nicest authors I’ve ever met. Patiently talking with everyone who lined up to meet him, signing books, taking pictures.

And the very last SEBA I attended, way back in 1997, in Mobile, Alabama, a regional chef who was about to hit it big time, spoke at the Saturday lunch. He was a fellow from New Orleans, but he talked like a Yankee. And his name was Emeril Lagasse. This was at the beginning of his television career, when “Emeril Live” was just hitting the airwaves and Food Network was adding markets.

I remember he showed how to make a quick bread while standing at a podium in his chef whites. Not an ideal set-up for a kitchen demo, but he plowed through, telling us a little about the recipe, his cookbook, restaurant and cooking show. Everyone at the lunch received signed copies of his new book, "Emeril's Creole Christimas," and I brought along my copy of "Louisiana Real and Rustic" for him to sign. When I talked to him after the speech, I mentioned that I left my copy of “New New Orleans Cuisine at Home” and he said, “well bless your heart” a little bit of Southern speak in that Massachusetts growl.

This, of course, was 15 years ago, across the digital divide, before everyone carried a camera in their pocket, so I have no pictures. But I do have something pretty cool, Emeril's signature in "Louisiana Real and Rustic." I think signatures tell a lot about authors. Here's Emeril's, just as big a personality on the page as in person. When he signs your book, he really signs the book:

Signed copy of Louisiana Real and Rustic by Emeril Lagasse. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

 Now's your chance to win a copy of Emeril's newest cookbook, "Emeril's Kicked-Up Sandwiches" from Morrow Books. I've been reading and cooking from this book for several weeks, and it's terrific - nearly 100 recipes for sandwiches from banh mi to French toast, croque madame to muffuletta, tons of full-color photographs (more on those later this week) and loads of inspiration for bringing some "Bam!" into your kitchen.

To win this cookbook, all you have to do is leave a comment here on this post and tell me your favorite Emeril-ism. "Bam" is classic. I find myself saying "notches unknown" when I'm cooking. I'm sure you have a favorite, so just tell me in the comments. A winner will be drawn at random on Friday, October 12. (And just a reminder to comment in such a way that I know who you are - leave an email, url or other identifying factor. I'll draw a winner on Friday and let them know they have won. If I don't get confirmation within 24 hours, I'll draw another name.)

This contest is now closed. 

Text and image of book signature copyright 2012, Lucy Mercer.

Emeril’s Kicked-Up Sandwiches (Morrow, $24.99)

If you love cookbooks like I do, you gotta follow The Secret Ingredient Blog from Morrow Books.

Happy Haul-idays from Chronicle Books

Cookbooks needing company. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

 Chronicle Books has been one of my favorite publishers since the days of "Griffin & Sabine," and their volumes continue to fill my bookshelves. In addition to fiction, art and children's books, they just so happen to produce some of the loveliest cookbooks around, and well, I have a thing for cookbooks.

Again this year, Chronicle Books is sponsoring "Happy Haul-idays" a contest designed to fill more bookshelves - yours, mine and a charity of my choice. All I have to do is list how I would spend $500 for Chronicle titles and all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post. If my entry is selected, I win the list, and one lucky commenter chosen at random wins the books on the list, too. And this year, a charity of my choice will win their choice of $500 worth of Chronicle's list!. I'm crossing fingers & toes and hoping that all of us win - my charity of choice is the new library in my town - what a blessing this would be to fill up their bookshelves!

Here's my list, topped by a book from one of my favorite food writers:

1. Ruhlman's Twenty by (you guessed it) Michael Ruhlman. This is the blurb:

"Rare is the cookbook that redefines how we cook. And rare is the author who can do so with the ease and expertise of acclaimed writer and culinary authority Michael Ruhlman. Twenty distills Ruhlman’s decades of cooking, writing, and working with the world’s greatest chefs into twenty essential ideas—from ingredients to processes to attitude—that are guaranteed to make every cook more accomplished. Whether cooking a multi-course meal, the juiciest roast chicken, or just some really good scrambled eggs, Ruhlman reveals how a cook’s success boils down to the same twenty concepts." At $40, it promises to be more than just some pretty words...

2. Rustica: a Return to Spanish Home Cooking  by Frank Camorra and Richard Cornish $35.00

3. Country Cooking of Italy by Colman Andrews (photography by Christopher Hirsheimer) promises to be a beautiful book. $50.00

4. Tartine Bread by Chad Robertson $40.00

5. Cake Pops by Bakerella $19.95

6. Whoopie Pies by Sarah Billingsley $16.95

7. Flour by Joanne Chang. $35.00

8. Saveur the New Comfort Table $35.00

9. Milk & Cookies by Tina Casaceli  $25.00

10. Fairy Parties $19.95

11. Commonsense Kitchen by Tom Hudgens $35.00

12. Fast, Fresh & Green by Susie Middleton $24.95

13. Southern Pies by Nancie McDermott $22.95

14. Southern Cakes by Nancie McDermott $19.95

15. Very Merry Cookie Party By Barbara Grunes and Virginia Van Vynckt $19.95

16. Fast Bread by Elinor Klivans $19.95

17. Baking for All Occasions by Flo Braker $35.00


I think I'm pretty close to $500, but if there's room, I'd like to toss a few Moleskines in the kitty, you know, "the legendary notebooks of Picasso, Hemingway and Chatwin."

Leave a comment and let me know what books on the Chronicle list you would like for Christmas. If my post is chosen at random from the list of participating bloggers, then I win the list of books (don't worry, I'll share!) & one commenter on this post will be chosen at random to receive the list of books, too! (+ my local libraries will receive their choice of $500 in Chronicle Books). So, it's win-win-win! Please be sure to leave an email address so that I can notify you if you win. Entries without a valid email address will not be a part of the drawing if I win the Happy Haul-idays contest.

* Disclaimer: I have not been compensated for this post. I just really really like books, especially cookbooks.

Comments are now closed for this post. Sorry my blog didn't win the contest - maybe 2012 will be our year!
 

A little black book of recipes: Chili with beer, guacamole with bacon

The Mad Men-esque idea of a little black book in these days of smart phones and IPads is quaint and charming, but seemingly out of touch. Not so with “Recipes Every Man Should Know,” by Susan Russo and Brett Cohen, (Quirk Books, 2010) part of Cohen’s “Things Every Man Should Know” series. Men no longer need little books full of phone numbers, but they can certainly use a little book to guide them through the kitchen and basics of cooking meals for themselves and others.


This book is slightly larger than a Blackberry, smaller than an IPad and it fits in a coat pocket or backpack. Its compact design is ideal for flipping through for quick mealtime ideas, discreetly pulling out while grocery shopping, and propping on the counter while preparing the dishes.

Author Susan Russo says the idea of a cookbook for men came to her when she lived in a condo in downtown San Diego, where there are lots of single, professional men. “I got tired of seeing them carrying take-out on the elevator, so I started asking them why they didn't cook. Almost invariably, they responded, "I don't know how to cook." I thought, "Well, I can help teach them. It's easy." Teaching comes naturally to Russo; she is a recipe developer and writer who blogs at FoodBlogga (Rhode Island-ese for "blogger.")

For research, Russo “Talked with a lot of guys everywhere -- at the supermarket, the airport, bookstores, restaurants and bars, Twitter and Facebook, you name it. Guys of all ages were more than happy to share their thoughts with me and offer their favorite dishes. Plus, having grown up in a male-dominant household, I was pretty confident that I knew what guys would like.”

Guy-friendly recipes include Foolproof French Toast, Baja-Style Fish Tacos, and entire chapters devoted to Meat & Potato Dinners, and Beer, Bacon & Bar Food. And for that extra something that shows a guy really knows how to cook, the book concludes with cookies, cheesecake, strawberry zabaglione, milkshakes and cocktails.

Here are two excellent recipes that go well together or separately. The recipes are guy-friendly, to cook and to eat. The chili will become your go-to recipe - it's beefed up with beer and beans. The guacamole gets a shot of bacon to lift it into the "ultimate guacamole" territory.

Beef and Beer Chili

1 tablespoon canola or olive oil

1 large yellow onion, diced

1 large green or red bell pepper, chopped

1 to 1 ¼ pound ground beef

1 ½ to 2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin

Several shakes of salt

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 (14.5 ounce) cans pinto or red kidney beans, drained

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juices

1 (12 ounce) bottle dark beer, such as stout

1 tablespoon cornmeal, optional

1. Warm oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and peppers and sauté 5 minutes. Add meat. Cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in spices, salt and brown sugar. Add beans, tomatoes, and beer. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 20 to 25 minutes, or until thick and soupy. Stir in cornmeal in you want a thicker chili.

2. Serve chili hot, topped with any of the following: shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, sliced scallions, or fresh cilantro.

(Takes 30 to 45 minutes start to finish, 6 to 8 servings)

Bacon Guacamole

6 slices bacon

Flesh of two ripe avocados

1 medium tomato, chopped

4 scallions (white parts only) finely chopped

Juice of one lime

A couple pinches salt

A couple dashes hot sauce

Small handful fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped

1. Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until crisp. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Let cool and chop into small pieces.

2. Combine remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until chunky. I used a fork with excellent results and one less dish to clean. (Takes 15 minutes to prep, yields 6-8 servings).

The wonderful folks at Quirk Books have offered a copy of "Recipes Every Man Should Know" to a reader of A Cook and Her Books. This book is $9.95 in stores and is absolutely charming and useful. It makes a great gift for a young man just starting out on his own - college students, new graduates, bachelors, really anyone who needs a road map to the kitchen. Please leave a comment below before midnight on February 28 and I will draw one name at random to receive the book. Please be sure to leave an email address or a way for me to find you (i.e., are you the Melissa I know from church or the Kim I know from high school?). Thanks for reading!

UPDATE

Michelle, the 4th commenter, is the winner of this cookbook. Michelle, please contact me by Thursday, March 3, at acookandherbooks@gmail.com so that I can get the cookbook to you. There's still a copy of the cookbook to be given away - leave a comment on the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf story by March 8 for a chance to win.

Text & images copyright 2011, Lucy Mercer,

with the exception of the book cover image and the recipe.

Recipes excerpted from "Recipes Every Man Should Know" by Susan Russo and Brett Cohen

 (Quirk Books, 2010)

Who says Christmas is over? Announcing a giveaway!

My front porch Christmas tree features this timely sign.

  
There was such a tremendous response from readers to the fall giveaway, CSN stores has offered to sponsor another one! With a new year come travel plans and you may be in the market for luggage or maybe shoes. If you're staying close to home, check out CSN's dinnerware and cookware shops.

To enter, just check out CSN stores.com and then leave a comment to this post with your email or a way to get in touch with you. I will choose a winner at random on Friday, January 7. The winner will receive a $50 gift code valid at any of CSN's online stores. Did I hear a woo-hoo out there?

The fine print: There may be international shipping charges in the case of Canadian addresses (CSN only ships to the US and Canada). Please be sure to leave your email address or a way for me to get in touch with you - I want everyone to have a chance at this fabulous prize!

This giveaway has ended. Thanks everyone for participating. The winner will be notified of their gift code. Look for more giveaways soon!

Chronicle Books giveaway: Too bad, so sad

My little ol' blog isn't the big winner in the Chronicle Books giveaway. The winning blog is Cakespy. This was a fun promotion and I hope to do more of these in the future. Thanks to everyone who entered and look for more giveaways soon.

Chronicle is offering a sweet deal for Christmas orders through December 16 - 35% off + free shipping. Just enter promo code HAULIDAYS at chroniclebooks.com.

Ladies & gentlemen, we have a winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing for a $45 gift certificate to CSN Stores.com. Julie Quinn is the winner! I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to read and comment on this blog. Just in the past four months, traffic has doubled on this site. If you'd like more of A Cook and Her Books in your life, click on the Follow button at the bottom right. There's also a Facebook fan page, if you like to read about new posts in that venue. I hope to do more giveaways in the future!

Announcing a New Giveaway!

There was such wonderful response from readers to the summer giveaway, CSN stores has offered to sponsor another one! With holiday entertaining coming up, you may be in the market for dining room chairs or a set of cookware - whatever it is you need to entertain, CSN stores has many choices.

To enter, just check out CSN stores.com and then leave a comment to this post with your email. I will choose a winner at random on Thursday, Nov. 4. The winner will receive a $45 gift code valid at any of CSN's online stores.

The fine print: There may be international shipping charges in the case of Canadian addresses (CSN only ships to the US and Canada). Please be sure to leave your email address or a way for me to get in touch with you - I want everyone to have a chance at this fabulous prize!

This giveaway is now closed. Many thanks for the comments & look for more giveaways in the future!

A Cook and Her Books First Ever Giveaway!

I'm partnering with online retailer Cookware.com for a giveaway to the loyal readers of A Cook and Her Books! Are you in the market for a Dutch oven or new knives or perhaps need a new cutting board? To enter, it's very simple, just click on csnstores.com have a look around, then return to this post and leave a comment about what you would buy if you won. One entrant will be chosen at random to receive a $40 gift card from CSN! Let me hear a big Woo-Hoo!

The contest will remain open for one week, through midnight, Saturday, August 28. One entry per person. I will email the winner with the happy news!