Secrets of Columbian Cooking

Wisconsin Bookwatch, Nov, 2004

Secrets Of Columbian Cooking

Patricia McCausland-Gallo

Hippocrene Books

171 Madison Ave., New York NY 10016

0781810256 $24.95 hippocrenebooks.com

Columbian cooking usually is tossed into general South American cookbooks and too rarely receives an entire mention apart from the rest of the region: enter Patricia McCausland-Gallo's Secrets Of Columbian Cooking, providing the much-needed focus on Columbian dishes alone. There are over 175 recipes here--more than enough to warrant their own publication--with dishes ranging from Coconut Rice with Lentils to Guava Paste and Cheese. Most ingredients may be very easily located in today's American market, and the inclusion of small black and white photos of both dishes and Columbian cooks throughout adds a flavor and touch to both break up text and appeal to audiences unfamiliar with Columbian dishes. Author McCausland-Gallo is both a nutritionist and pastry chef born in the Caribbean: her culinary background lends to a clear survey of classic Columbian fare.