{"product_id":"flavors-of-al-andalus-9780781814560","title":"Flavors of Al-Andalus","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"This\u003cbr\u003eis a fascinating book about history but not stuck in time. Janet is a time\u003cbr\u003etraveler, telling us stories about the past but always making them relevant, \u003cbr\u003ebringing the world of al-Andalus--a region very close to my heart--to our\u003cbr\u003ekitchens today.\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e--Chef\u003cbr\u003eJosé Andrés\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis cookbook explores the deep and\u003cbr\u003elasting influences that Islamic culture has left on modern Spanish cooking. \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eMuslims first\u003cbr\u003einvaded the Iberian peninsula in 711 CE, crossing the narrow straits from North\u003cbr\u003eAfrica and taking over most of what would become the country of Spain. The\u003cbr\u003enewly-conquered land initially under the caliphate of Damascus, was called\u003cbr\u003eal-Andalus and at one time covered almost the entire Iberian peninsula.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt his palace of\u003cbr\u003eMedina Azahar around 950 CE, the Caliph of Córdoba dined on refined dishes of\u003cbr\u003ealmond cream, lamb cooked with spices, eggplant stuffed with meat and scented\u003cbr\u003ewith cinnamon, and carrot salad with sprigs of mint. The kingdoms of\u003cbr\u003eal-Andalus lasted eight centuries, ending in 1492 with the fall of Granada.\u003cbr\u003eIslamic culture left a deep mark on the country that became Spain--on language, \u003cbr\u003escience, literature and most certainly on cuisine.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor and Spanish cooking expert Janet Mendel tells the story of the\u003cbr\u003eMoorish influence on Spanish cooking through 120 recipes for modern-day dishes, \u003cbr\u003efrom salads and vegetables to fish, poultry and meat to sweets and pastries, \u003cbr\u003ethat trace their heritage to foods served in medieval times. During periods of \u003ci\u003econvivencia\u003c\/i\u003e, the different communities--Muslim, Sephardic-Jewish, and Mozárabe Christian--lived together in friendly cooperation, shopping at the same markets, trading commodities, and sharing each other's holidays and festive foods. The interweaving of cultures embedded the foodways of al-Andalus deeply in Spanish life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDishes from this\u003cbr\u003eera include exotic spices such as saffron, the use of fruits and almonds with\u003cbr\u003esavory dishes, and honeyed sweets and pastries. The flavors of al-Andalus live\u003cbr\u003eon in modern Spanish cooking and are what makes Spain's cuisine distinctive\u003cbr\u003efrom the rest of Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSample recipes: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhite Gazpacho with Grapes (\u003ci\u003eAjo Blanco\u003cbr\u003econ Uvas\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eFried Eggplant with Molasses (\u003ci\u003eBerenjena Frita con Miel de Caña\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eMonkfish with Raisins and Pine Nuts (\u003ci\u003eRape\u003cbr\u003eal Mozarabe)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eChicken in Almond Sauce (\u003ci\u003ePollo\u003cbr\u003een Pepitoria\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eBeef Stew with Artichokes (\u003ci\u003eCordero con\u003cbr\u003eAlcachofas\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlmond Cream Pudding (\u003ci\u003eSopa de Almendras\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eCrispy Olive Oil Cookies\u003cbr\u003e(\u003ci\u003eTortas de Aceite\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMendel, Janet:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJanet Mendel\u003c\/b\u003e is\u003cbr\u003ean American-born journalist who has lived in southern Spain since 1966. She\u003cbr\u003ewrites about food, travel, people and events for newspapers, magazines and\u003cbr\u003etravel guides worldwide. She is the author of several books about Spanish food.\u003cbr\u003eVisit her blog at https: \/\/mykitcheninspain.blogspot.com\/\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hippocrene Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51580185805074,"sku":"9780781814560","price":28.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_9c5f4634-bc5d-44d6-83ed-a78d8b00c0e2.jpg?v=1756210092","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/flavors-of-al-andalus-9780781814560","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}