Spicy Books

If you are as nuts about nuts as Sally Sampson is then you'll love this book. Then again, if you're not into making a LOT of different nut recipies you might want a general cookbook. Personally I found the recipies to be as good as one would hope and the presentation was solid (even if nobody would ever serve nuts in a martini glass).

Like the recipes and the ideas of how to roast nuts. This book started a great adventure for my family into the world of us roasting nuts for a great TV/movie night snack. You can get the whole family involved and the kids love to get involved with the flavors.

This has a lot of old and new nut recipes. Trying to duplicate a great nut snack you had somewhere? Sampson probably has it in this book, or you can take the techniques she sets out and experiment. A good little book that I'm glad to have in my collection.

This book has a recipe for every occasion. I do feel that several of the recipes are very similar in terms of the spice mixtures used, but the Balsamic Shellacked Pecan recipe alone is worth the price of the book. A great asset for hostesses or anyone that loves recipes.

This book is full of fabulous recipes. My son especially loves the "Holy Mole" nuts. But the book fell apart almost immediately - I would re-order it as I use it over and over, if it were spiral bound or soft-cover. As it is, I have to keep the pages now separately in a file folder!

I've hesitated to review cookbooks because I'm never sure when I've tried enough of one to warrant a review. After all, I can only comment on the bits and pieces with which I have experience. Still, the good cookbooks are worth mentioning, and this is one of the good ones.

As I flip through Vegan Fire & Spice, I'm finding that just about every recipe screams "Try me!" The recipes are organized broadly into large swaths of the globe (The Americas, Mediterranean Europe, The Middle East and Africa, India and Asia), and each section is further broken down into more specific regions. The recipes are -- you guessed it -- spicy, though of course this is adjustable to taste by varying the amount of spice or the quantity of chilis.

Anshu's Red Lentil Sambar sounded immensely appealing, although it required a trip to the local Indian grocery to purchase Garam Masala and a Sambar spice mixture. This is a good weekend recipe, as preparation and cooking takes some time. And there's a small criticism: I wish this cookbook included estimated prep times, because although some steps in this recipe gave approximate times, others did not and so it was hard in advance to get a sense of how long I'd be in the kitchen. I started making this at 6:45 and the meal wasn't ready until 9:00. Now that I understand the recipe, I'm sure that I could cut that time way down -- but it was worth even the long prep time.

The sambar is a delicious, hearty dish, full of chunks of vegetables and rich simmered lentils. It is more like a stew than the thin sambar soup you normally get in restaurants. Spiced to perfection -- and even better when I brought some with me for lunch the next day.

On a side note: I purchased this and another vegetarian cookbook from Amazon, and in a lovely gesture, they tucked in a coupon for a McDonald's chicken sandwich with my order. How thoughtful. At least I got a laugh in about it!

I always know that if Ms. Robertson is the author, the recipes will be wonderful. Vegan Planet is my most used cookbook but Fire and Spice is certainly competing for number one. All of the recipes I have made to date are easy and taste delicious. The quinoa stuffed avocados is a perfect recipe to serve to guests. it is both easy and colorful. I just made the Garlic Soup yesterday and it is absolutely delicious!

Thanks so much, Ms. Roberston; keep them coming!

Robin Robertson has done it again. Vegan Fire and Spice is one more gastronomic masterpiece to add to her impressive repertoire of cookbooks. This collection of recipes is as exotic and flavorful as it gets, from Vegetable Tagine with Seitan and Apricots to her recipe for Arugula Potato Salad, a unique twist on ordinary potato salad, laced with cayenne and speckles of capers. Robertson inspires the reader with every turn of the page. From the heat of the Mediterranean to the "Fiery Bliss of India," I was transported on a tantalizing journey around the world via these extraordinary recipes. For anyone who likes it hot, this book is for you!

I bought this book a few weeks ago for my vegetarian daughter. She has cooked many different recipes from it and they are all great. I think that we'll throw out all our other cookbooks. This is the only one that we now use. My husband and I have stopped eating meat since my daughter's cooking is so good. The meals are rich and hearty, and they don't need meat to make them great. Robin may be a couple of new vegetarian converts soon!

Whenever I'm looking for a tasty change-of-pace recipe to make for dinner, I turn to a Robin Robertson book, whether Quick-Fix Vegetarian, Vegan Planet, and her latest, Vegan Fire and Spice. Robin's recipes are hearty, straightforward, and they always work. Her passion for great food, healthfully prepared always shines through, and her knowledge of international cuisines is impressive. I'm a bit timid when it comes to spices, so this book has helped me appreciate bolder flavors.

This is a great recipe book for both Indian and East African food, especially for the North American cook. Some of the recipes capitalize on available convenience foods such as frozen hash browns or frozen vegetables (in a good way). I have tried a variety of recipes from this book and they've been quite good, including fish, vegetable, lentil/bean, chicken, and bread recipes. The recipe for mkate wa sinia (kumimina) is excellent, and the method translated from cooking with charcoal to the gas/electric stove. The photos are clear and many in number, although often put in parts of the book far from the recipe.

I have a few complaints about this book. One, my copy is missing half of the index (which I assume is just an unfortunate but unique case). Two, the samaki wa kupaka is way off, as its downright frightening photo (a fish swimming in a yellow gravy) attests -- it should be a light tamarind marinade, not a gloppy turmeric sauce poured over the top. Three, the authors include a recipe for vitumbua that requires, according to their own notes, a pan found only in Zanzibar. Actually, an aebleskiver pan could make an acceptable substitute.

That being said, "Simply Indian" is a very useful resource.

Upbeat and user-friendly, this book uses simple cooking techniques and more often than not, calls for ingredients you can find anywhere. I've tried out four recipes so far and they've all been hits with my family. We really like the Sheesk Kebabs with Tomato Sauce, the Chicken Palak (spinach curry) and Masoor Daal Curry. The recipes often leave salt out of the picture and usually I have to add some, but otherwise the beauty of this book is the emphasis on the natural flavor of foods, not a dependency on oils and heavy creams like you'd find in restaurant versions of these dishes. Since all the readers are raving about the Butter Chicken, I can't wait to try that one next!

Gulab Jamun and Butter chicken...two things I love in Indian meals but very hard to make..and I did it in following Taheras simple steps...I love it...now next try ....three variations of rasmalia....I love this book ..150 plus recipes...one can just go crazy ...and the steps ...so easy to follow....

I took two of Tahera's cooking classes 3 years ago. I am pleased that she's finally published her book. I was quite surprised to see it mentioned in a 2003 Cosmopolitan article about enhancing your sensuality!

The chicken bhiryana is the best chicken dish I've put into my mouth. I like it better than butter chicken. The vegetarian samosas don't last long on any table. In general, all the dishes are tasty, and most can be easily prepared for a week-day supper. This is a great collection of recipes for a beginner in Indian cooking.

What a beautiful book! I'm so glad I have it.

The recipes are easy to understand and so much fun. I've wanted a book to teach me Indian cooking for a long time, and this book is all I needed, because it has soooooooo many recipes! (Actually, it has *every* Indian recipe I've ever wanted and more.) =)

I wish you could see the inside, because it's so pretty - it looks really authentic and the pictures are so vivid and glossy - I can't believe it's so cheap!!! Oh, and it's got lots of tips and there's a little blurb about each dish that is sometimes quite funny (and always helpful). :)

The best cookbook I have ever owned, and it's worth buying one of the few copies left! These recipes rock because the represent a worldwide variety of fiery cuisines, and most of them can be prepared in under an hour. My favorites are the Thai Curry Scallops and the Mexican Chicken-Lentil-Sweet Potato Stew. Not a week goes by that I don't use this book, be it with an old reliable recipe or a new one I have yet to try.

This book has recipes that are easy to follow, ingrediants that are easy to find, and delicious. My husband uses it every day.

This book rocks! I've made over half the recipes in this book with only 1 or 2 disappointments. Everything else has been "very good" to "excellent". Recipes are relatively quick and easy to make (most take < 1 hour), flavorful, healthy, and function well as a one dish meal. Most recipes can also be toned down for those timid of fire without compromising the integrity of the dish. You really can't go wrong with this one, especially if you like a little spice.

This is an absolutely fabulous cookbook, even for those with a little milder palate! I would recommend the Cajun gumbo and the Black Bean and Kidney Bean soup for any meal!

I own several so called spicy cookbooks and this one lives up to it's name and is by far my favorite one. It's chok'ful of delicious one page recipes from around the globe. Great muligitawny and the "Evil Jungle Peanut Chicken" is awesome. For the most part the recipes are easy to prepare and have readily availble ingredients as well as a pretty accurate hotness scale. My wife & I have probably made 15-20 of the recipes already and thats not counting the ones we repeated. You will need a large pan because the recipes make copious amounts of food. I recommend a big wok and a big, big glass of beer to chase the fire down. Oh yeah, you'll also need a towel to wipe the spice induced sweat off your brow. ENJOY!

The rather gloomy photograph on the front of this book (a castle-like building with a dark background and sultry sky) and the unfortunate misprint on the back cover (where a dash '-' has become '¾' through some computer malfunction) aren't too promising. However as soon as you start reading the book, as Katherine Seymour arrives at the home of her new guardian, a castle-like building, you're drawn into the story of Katherine and Alexander Fletcher, Lord Drayton. Katherine is herself perhaps only ¾ of a young woman because she's lost her voice after the great fire of London and has also become afraid of confined spaces. People think she's not got all her wits because of her lack of voice and she has to deal with the misunderstanding of those about her.

Alex is a suitably wounded hero. His wife jumped out of a window after her fourth miscarriage and madness and he has vowed, as so many men in this kind of story vow, never to love again. He treats Katherine in an abrupt and unfriendly manner, resolving to get her married off as soon as possible. However his plans don't allow for her to have a say in her future and yet the more he gets to know her the more he realises she has her own mind and despite her inability to talk she can make her wishes known.

Alex's neighbours, the Cooke family, appear periodically in this novel and they're rather generic characters (overbearing father, weak son who can't pluck up the courage to court Elizabeth, Alex's cousin, who lives with him, and evil daughter Agnes). Agnes is quite clearly the 'baddie' in this story and her actions were no surprise to this reader, nor was the gradual unveiling of her roles in various disasters that have befallen Alex and Katherine. I was rather amazed that Agnes wasn't punished for some of her actions when they come to light - it served to show the huge difference in life for people in restoration times.

King Charles and the Earl of Rochester are mentioned in this story and we meet both of them in its pages. The intrigue and machinations of court are part of the plot as Katherine finds herself an unwilling pawn in a game of Charles's mistress and as various secrets are unveiled. The romance between hero and heroine seems to begin due to proximity but then as they find they can communicate, despite Katherine's lack of voice, there is more depth. However I found the vacillations of both characters a bit annoying, albeit probably realistic.

The story aims for Katherine to regain her voice and Alex to recover his emotions; however there is more to be unveiled, such as Katherine's father's treachery, the story behind Alex's first wife's death and even behind Alex's parents' murders. This book was always easy to read and the dialogue was very well written, although with a few modern Americanisms slipped in. Alex is an appealing character, particularly in his rather more 'modern' approach to controlling unruly females that doesn't rely on beatings, although he can be very wounding with words. Katherine is feisty and yet quiet, opinionated and yet mute, although she seems remarkably dense about Agnes's plotting. For those who enjoy historical romances set in England in the restoration period this is a very good offering and something to be enjoyed on a lazy day.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2007

Set during the reign of Charles II, April 1667, the king has sent the mute daughter of a traitor to the crown to the disillusioned Alexander Fletcher, Lord Drayton who wants nothing more than to be left alone. Alex loved his wife who soon grew to hate him so much, she took her own life and he would not take the chance of ever being that vulnerable again.

Lady Katherine Seymour the once envied, pursued, and betrothed young woman had lost her father, her fiancé, her voice, and all worldly goods in the great London fire. Lord Drayton, seemingly indifferent to her plight, only adds to the anguish of losing so much. But in a fit of passion Alex's burning kiss ignites a fire he refuses to acknowledge even as he attempts to marry her off to a noble Katherine adamantly refuses to accept. As Katherine and Alex square off in a sensual battle of wills his neighbor, Agnes Cooke, recognizes another rival to her quest to become the next Lady Drayton and is not about to let another gain the prize she secretly covets.

*** Author Pamela Roller did a very fine job with this beautifully detailed and sensual love story in which I was captivated from start to finish. Both leads were extremely well-drawn with Katherine showing an amazing perseverance over the hard knocks that life has thrown her way. The author did a remarkable job of showing how frustrated Katherine was with Lord Drayton's edicts. Not being able to give voice to the way she would have liked to tell him off, the author used vivid imagery describing Katherine's facial expressions as well as how the scratch of her chalk against her slate board drove him nuts. In the same way, the reader is able to see a slow melt-down of Alex's harsh reserve and high handed edicts when the harder he tries to push Katherine into marriage to another, the more he realizes he wants to see her in no one's bed but his own.

The behind-the-scenes mechanisms of Lord Drayton's neighbor, combined with unpleasant revelations by the king and his spiteful mistress, Lady Castlemaine, do a good job of destroying all the trust and respect he and Katherine had gained. With malice and some ingenious twists and turns, I never saw coming, turned this into an edge of the seat finale that kept this reader glued to the pages. Fans of historical romance who like a shades of gothic thrown in will surely find this to their taste.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

Pamela Roller's literary genius completely immerses the reader in another time and place. Her attention to detail, character development, and knowledge of historical facts proves she is an author to watch. I had a hard time putting this book down and everytime I thought I had it figured out, a new twist was around the corner. This is definitely a must read.

On Silent Wings is a wonderfully engaging story with strong well written characters. This intriguing historical romance really made me feel I was 'there' and rivited my attention from beginning to end. On Silent Wings left me wanting more by this talented author!

Though at first I thought, a bit 'over the top' in terms of drama - I quikly became mesmerized from this laudable work of fiction. I was particularly impressed with the book's connective historical references and powerful imagery.

A delight.... I read this in 2 days. I love this fantasy genre, and this was right on target. the fact that the Neanderthals were the "good guys" and the Cro Magnan, "not" made it a little unexpected. A good read for all ages.

As a guy, its hard for me to admit when I read a "romance" novel, but I was so impressed by "Riley's Journey" that I felt I had to let the public know. I love ancient history and the Ice Age is about as far back as it gets. Ms. Parker blend of romance, comedy and adventure is both believable and downright interesting. I recommend Riley's Journey" as well as "Fiona" (another P. L. Parker novel) wholeheartedly.

"Riley's Journey" by P. L. Parker is an absolutely wonderful read, and I might lose my guy card for saying so. Riley journeys back in time to the Ice Age, finds Nathan and begins a series of adventures that kept me on the edge of my seat for most of the story. It is exciting, funny, heartwarming and, at times, intense. Ms. Parker's ability to create in the written text a mental image that is so vivid, you feel like you are experiencing it with the characters. I give this book my highest rating.

I just finished reading this book and, wow, did I love it. The story was intriguing and kept me glued to my seat. I hated to reach the final pages! The author has a wonderful storytelling style and I thoroughly enjoyed how she portrayed the characters' thoughts and actions. I also loved how the plot took its own twists and turns, ones that were definitely not predictable. This is an entertaining book with a great love story and I highly recommend it. I can't wait to read her first book, Fiona.

What if you could travel back 40,000 years ago to when saber toothed tigers and Mastodons roamed the earth? This is exactly the world that Nathan has been surviving in for five lonely years with only his dog, Demon, for companionship. Dr. Bethany Collins, the mastermind behind the experiment that sent Nathan catapulting back in time, is determined that Nathan will not remain alone; so determined that she is willing to send the unsuspecting Riley Ames back in time under the guise of a fake research experiment. Riley's arrival to an age when Cro-Magnon and Neanderthal men walked the earth is only the beginning of RILEY' S JOURNEY....

I have never read a time travel in which the setting was so far back in time, and so it was with great excitement that I started RILEY'S JOURNEY. P.L. Parker did not disappoint! Her vivid images of a time long past made the pages come alive with the excitement, the thrill, and yes, the danger of modern man (and woman!) trying to survive in such a perilous time. More than once P.L. Parker had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting to see how further events would unfold. Would Riley and Nathan survive each new hazard? And just as importantly, would Demon survive?

The harsh beauty of the past as seen through the eyes of Riley and Nathan is only part of the joy of RILEY'S JOURNEY, however. P.L. Parker throws in some interesting twists that made this romance a truly heart warming tale. The love between Riley and Nathan has time to develop and blossom into a strong, unbreakable bond that is both sexy and uplifting. RILEY'S JOURNEY is truly a tale about love growing in any environment!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I have owned this cookbook for close to ten years now and have made nearly every recipe in it. The recipes are easy to follow, healthy, and interesting. I have never used a cookbook so frequently or made so many dishes repeatedly. I consider it a must have for anyone that favors this time of fare.

The recipes are varied and quite ecclectic, but remain easy to prepare. The instructions are detailed and most of the ingredients are readily available. This is definately the cookbook I use the most!

I have used this recipe book practically every day for the past 4 months. There is not one recipe that was a disappointment. Most were fantastic. They salsas are out of this world! Best of all I have lost 12 pounds!! Every day my husband says "This is the best dinner I have ever had." I just ordered two more books for my daughter and daughter-in-law.

This has become our favorite cookbook. I like spicey food, but not overly hot spicey food, and these receipes are perfect. Our favs: Lime-Curry Chicken Breast (pg 228), Spicy Mango Salsa (pg 173 - with any grilled fish or chicken), Avocado & Jicama Salsa (pg 197 - again with any grilled fish or chicken).

The recipes are varied and quite ecclectic, but remain easy to prepare. The instructions are detailed and most of the ingredients are readily available. This is definately the cookbook I use the most!

Margaret E. Reid has done an outstanding job. Loved the characters, loved the story. FROM THE SHADOWS held my interest from first page to last. I'm always looking for new authors to add to my keeper shelf, and this book has earned its spot. Brava!

I can't believe this is a first book for Ms. Reid. The complex characters, the multi-layered plot, the sheer breakneck pace all smack of what you would expect from a more experienced author. If this is her first effort, I can't wait for the next book. Well done, Ms. Reid!

Fast-paced read with characters one can appreciate. For a first book, Margaret E. Reid does a commendable job and makes a reader look forward to her subsequent efforts.

Get this: I'm in the military and I decided to read "From the Shadows" because I happen to have the same name as the hero in the book. All I can say is Wow!!! The book really did a super job at describing the inner workings of a covert government agency and the love life of two of its agents who fall deeply in love. The book is an emotional roller coaster that captured my imagination and made it almost impossible to put down from the moment I picked it up. This is a must read!

Although this is a new author, Margaret E. Reid writes as if she's been doing it for years. FROM THE SHADOWS is filled with suspense and a love story that makes you want to fall in love all over again. I kept turning the pages as fast as possible to find answers to the questions she set up along the way. And they're there!
Congratulations to Ms. Reid. Excellent! A keeper book. One I'll read again and again.

Excellent reading! It holds your interest and you don't want to put it down! I look forward to more from this author!!

Really good book. It kept my attention and was hard to put down. Read in a day and a half.

this is a must read......great western book with a sexy to die for hero and a heroine that gives as good as she gets. This book is definately a keeper

Rane Mantorres is a gun slinger with an honorable streak. Angel Clayton is a spit fire desperate to be perceived as a lady. The range war that throws them together ignites more than hostilities between two neighboring ranches. It sets alight a passion between Rane and Angel that burns soul deep, and triggers other events guaranteed to keep them apart.

Devon Matthews writes with such descriptive flair it leaves the reader hanging on every word. Her characters are well rounded and real. She has been able to build a plot that keeps the reader on edge and wondering how these two people can possibly resolve the issues keeping them apart. This book is a must read that will stay on your keeper shelf forever.
Teresa Reasor author of Highland Moonlight

This book is packed with great recipes, even if you want to cut back or omit the ingredients that make them hot (but really, who wants to do that!). Also, many choices for vegans.

Bill Hufnagle. Burly biker. Fiery food lover. Cookbook author. Vegetarian. You might think you just fell down the rabbit hole, but after tasting his creations you`d know everything was going to be all right. His tongue-in-cheek cookbook will satisfy anyone who loves spicy foods, and vegetarians who want a change.

If you like spicy or downright hot foods, you'll get a kick out of this cookbook (pun intended). Flavors are bold and the body of recipes varied. Of course you'll find the standard hot items like stuffed jalapeno peppers and chili pie but there are lots of surprises to be found here as well.

For pasta fans, try "Mean Bean Meatballs" on top of your next plate of spaghetti. Vegetarians should try "Scrambled Beyond Belief", which uses extra-firm bean curd and chipotle peppers, for breakfast. Need an exciting side dish? Make "Devilish Pumpkin Fries" and watch everyone's eyes light up.

One of my most favorite recipes from this cookbook that I've made many times since, with and without the fire, are his "Chocolate Killer Cookies". This is a great and easy to prepare chocolate cookie recipe. I've made them with white chocolate chips as called for but found my favorite way is to use peanut butter chips instead. The recipe only makes 24 cookies and they will not last long. When using the cayenne pepper, they remind me of very good quality ginger snaps. Just enough bite to make your mouth tingle but not enough to make you stop eating.

For such an extraordinary cookbook it's a shame that there is no measurement given for how hot a recipe is. Something as simple as giving a mild, medium, or real hot rating for each recipe would be a major help. "Righteous Rotelle" had enough heat to make you sweat, while "Chipotle Cheese Soup" was just smoky and belly warming.

When making a few recipes I needed to make a few adjustments, which could be due to bad testing or differences in equipment. I shortened the boiling time for the asparagus in "Asparagus a la Dante" as in my first attempt they came out a bit limp after they where fried. Regardless, they were addictive.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cookbook regardless of a few annoyances and can hardly wait to try other recipes. Tonight though, I'm making more cookies!

I was brought up on 'real food' (meat and potatoes), so when I started to go veg, I ran into a problem where I didn't like what's normally considered vegetarian. I began to crave food with real substance and flavor. Browsing through my favorite bookstore one day, I came across Biker Billy's cookbook and was thrilled. I was immediately attracted by the title, I mean, a veg biker? How could I go wrong?!
I've been using recipes from this book for four years now and love it. I have a young son, so I sometimes adjust the spice and fire to a level he can tolerate. I even cook for meat-eaters from this book and no one ever misses the meat!
Two thumbs up - love ya Biker Billy!

One taste of Biker Billy's smoky "Pita Pockets in Pain" and I'm singing in his choir...

It's a great cookbook -- well-written, informative, and informal (obviously!). Meat-lovers simply won't notice that it's a vegetarian cookbook: the flavors, textures and fire make every recipe I've tried memorable.