The Art of Romanian Cooking Hardcover - 2002

From the rear cover

Galia Sperber's earliest memories of her Romanian grandmother's home are of little chocolate treats made with rum in pretty cupcake holders, and of flaky white fish in a mouth-watering tomato sauce. These recipes and more are included in this fascinating look into this richly blended cuisine.

Family favorites demonstrate the diverse influences: polenta is a staple in Romanian cooking, including the delicious baked snack ours ("bear"). From the country's history as part of the Ottoman Empire, coffee, especially Turkish coffee, is a much-loved beverage in Romania, but it is also an important ingredient in other recipes, such as the Coffee Mold, great for dessert. Home cooks are sure to find fresh and interesting versions of old favorites, and to enjoy trying new dishes from this little-known cuisine to add exciting variety to meals.

From the jacket flap

Two thousand years ago, Romania was the last outpost of the Roman Empire, and invading tribes--Goths, Hungarians, Huns, Bulgarians, Tartars, and Turks--came and went, leaving behind traces of themselves in the language and, of course, the food.

Romania is not only a land of soaring, craggy mountains, but it is also located in the Danube Delta, home to over 200 species of birds and 90 species of fish. Combining diverse recipes with elements of French, German, Greek, and Turkish cooking creates a great variety of dishes that make inventive and delicious use of ingredients available in any grocery store.

The Art of Romanian Cooking features appetizers for a wonderful light meal, such as papanasi prajiti (savory fried cheese patties) or croquette din salam (salami croquettes). There is a tremendous array of soups, ranging from a mouth-watering creamy potato soup to the six variations of borscht. Fish lovers will enjoy such delights as Russian-style trout, and the meat recipes include chicken (try fried chicken with garlic sauce!), duck, veal, and the ubiquitous beef. And don't forget dessert! The Othello torte is not to be missed, and the fragrance of rose jam alone makes it worth preparing.

In thinking about her mother's and grandmother's cooking, Galia Sperber was inspired to write down some of the family's favorite recipes, with reminiscences of her native country and family meals. Dr. Sperber now lives in London, where she is a research fellow at University College London.

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Citations

• Booklist, 09/15/2002, Page 190