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'wichcraft: Craft a Sandwich into a Meal--And a Meal into a Sandwich by Sisha Ortuzar, Tom Colicchio
Book Summary InformationAuthor: Sisha Ortuzar, Tom Colicchio Edition: Hardcover Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2009-03-31 ISBN: 0609610511 Number of pages: 208 Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Book Reviews of 'wichcraft: Craft a Sandwich into a Meal--And a Meal into a SandwichBook Review: Inspirational and doable Summary: 4 Stars
I'd never actually been to Wichcraft before purchasing this book so I had no idea what to expect. However to say that I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. What makes this book wonderful is that on one hand it's very inspirational and offers up unique and deep flavors, but on the other it's actually doable. In other words, it's one of those cookbooks that actually gets cooked from and doesn't just sit on your shelf.
The philosophy behind the book is that there is no reason why the ingredients in a sandwich cannot be every bit as lovingly prepared and extraordinary as what you would find at the center of your plate in a fine restaurant. This philosophy comes through loud and clear in the recipes. What you get are not simply a rehashing of classic sandwiches, but a range that bring to life unique flavors ranging from savory to sweet. This means that you're unlikely to find a lot of repeats with other cookbooks in your collection or to feel like you've seen everything before. However, if you're looking for straight versions of classic sandwiches like a Croque Madame or a Reuben you might be disapointed. The book also offers up general tips and advice on everything from turning a sandwich to a salad to how to pick the right bread. Home cooks who are looking to move from following recipes to recipe creation will especially appreciate the later.
Among other things I appreciated about the book is that the recipes are accessible to the home cook. Unlike some restaurant cookbooks they don't feel out of place on the kitchen table or in a lunchbox. The prep work required is also less than what I've seen in other cookbooks by restaurant chefs. Most of what you need to do, for the most part, is contained within the sandwich recipe itself so there isn't a lot of flipping of pages or the deceit when you think a recipe is short only to find that is because it references 7 or 8 other recipes you must make. For the most part the only things kept separate are condiments and many of these could easily be swapped out for premade versions to save time.
That said, I wouldn't call this a quick and easy cookbook. Most recipes will still take over 30 minutes so if you're looking for a quick sandwich to whip together before dashing for the bus this probably isn't the cookbook for you. However, if you prepare components like the condiments and meats ahead of time these sandwiches are quite doable to prepare.
I also appreciated how many vegetarian recipes there were in this book or recipes that could easily be made vegetarian. I believe I counted something like 20+ recipes, which isn't bad for a book like this. Best of all, they go beyond the expected sandwiches and feel every bit as novel and special as the meat-based recipes.
Overall this is a great book with very few complaints. It's really brimming with sandwiches and they all feel unique and interesting. I would highly recommend this to anyone who's looking to make their sandwiches more interesting and doesn't mind spending some time in the kitchen to get there.
Summary of 'wichcraft: Craft a Sandwich into a Meal--And a Meal into a SandwichSlow-roasted meats, marinated vegetables, surprising flavor combinations, this is not your mother?s sandwich.
With acclaimed restaurants located across the United States, and a high-profile job as head judge of the hit show Top Chef, Tom Colicchio is one of the best-known chefs and personalities in the culinary world today. His popular chain of ?wichcraft sandwich shops is known for crafting sandwiches with high-quality fresh ingredients prepared to Colicchio?s exacting standards. And since the first ?wichcraft opened in 2003, diners can?t seem to get enough.
In ?wichcraft, Colicchio shares the shops? secrets with step-by-step recipes for all their best-loved offerings. You?ll learn how to create new classics like Roasted Turkey with Avocado, Bacon, Onion Marmalade, and Mayonnaise, and Sicilian Tuna with Fennel, Black Olives, and Lemon; and elevate basic cold cuts through imaginative combinations like Smoked Ham with Avocado and Butter, and Salami with Marinated Cauliflower and Bitter Greens. Routine staples are refashioned into unforgettable meals, like Onion Frittata with Roasted Tomato and Cheddar, and Slow-Roasted Pork with Red Cabbage, Jalapeños, and Mustard. ?wichcraft is stuffed with sandwiches like these, and many more, that will add something special to both your lunchbox and your life.
With 100 full-color photographs, recipes for pantry items including dressings and condiments, and a host of sandwich cookies and ice cream treats to round out your meals, this is the book to get a little ?wichcraft magic going in your own kitchen.
From the Hardcover edition. Book Description Slow-roasted meats, marinated vegetables, surprising flavor combinations, this is not your mother?s sandwich. With acclaimed restaurants located across the United States, and a high-profile job as head judge of the hit show Top Chef, Tom Colicchio is one of the best-known chefs and personalities in the culinary world today. His popular chain of ?wichcraft sandwich shops is known for crafting sandwiches with high-quality fresh ingredients prepared to Colicchio?s exacting standards. And since the first ?wichcraft opened in 2003, diners can?t seem to get enough. In ?wichcraft, Colicchio shares the shops? secrets with step-by-step recipes for all their best-loved offerings. You?ll learn how to create new classics like Roasted Turkey with Avocado, Bacon, Onion Marmalade, and Mayonnaise, and Sicilian Tuna with Fennel, Black Olives, and Lemon; and elevate basic cold cuts through imaginative combinations like Smoked Ham with Avocado and Butter, and Salami with Marinated Cauliflower and Bitter Greens. Routine staples are refashioned into unforgettable meals, like Onion Frittata with Roasted Tomato and Cheddar, and Slow-Roasted Pork with Red Cabbage, Jalapeños, and Mustard. ?wichcraft is stuffed with sandwiches like these, and many more, that will add something special to both your lunchbox and your life. With 100 full-color photographs, recipes for pantry items including dressings and condiments, and a host of sandwich cookies and ice cream treats to round out your meals, this is the book to get a little ?wichcraft magic going in your own kitchen. From 'wichcraft: Roasted Turkey with Avocado, Bacon, Balsamic Onion Marmalade, and Mayonnaise
This recipe is one of our biggest sellers but, interestingly, each customer cites a different reason the sandwich is special. One says that she could eat the onion marmalade with a spoon for breakfast daily. Others can?t say enough about the bacon. Tom applauds Sisha?s decision to cut the turkey thicker, thus showcasing its moistness. This is an ensemble piece, with no clear headliner. While we use ciabatta, this sandwich would work as well on country bread, too. Ingredients - 1 (3- to 4-pound) boneless turkey breast
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup Balsamic Onion Marmalade
- 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and sliced
Note: Don?t cook the bacon over too high heat or the fat will burn. When you?re done, save the fat you?ve rendered and store it in the freezer. The next time you?re roasting some vegetables, toss some bacon fat in with them! (Makes 4 sandwiches) Directions Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slide the sage leaves under the skin of the turkey breast and place the turkey on a sheet pan. Rub the skin with the butter and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast the turkey for 1 to 1½ hours, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Baste the meat with its juices throughout. (Keep in mind that the meat will continue to cook even after it?s removed from the oven, so be careful not to cook it too long.) Allow the meat to rest before slicing, or cool completely. In a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until golden brown and crisp on both sides. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Slice the ciabatta rolls in half. Place the turkey slices on the bottom halves and top with the marmalade. Place the bottom and top halves of the rolls in the 350°F oven and remove once the marmalade is heated through and the bread is toasted. Top the marmalade with the bacon, followed by the avocado. Evenly spread the mayonnaise on the top halves of the rolls. Close the sandwiches, cut into halves, and serve. From 'wichcraft: Chocolate Cream?wich
Two surprises set this cookie apart: The first is that the filling is made with a chocolate ganache as opposed to just a frosting. The cream and the chocolate melt together perfectly, yielding a satisfyingly smooth texture to the filling itself. In contrast to the creaminess is the second surprise: the cocoa nibs, little pieces of roasted cacao beans. These bits add a crunchy texture that is wholly and delightfully unexpected. Ingredients For the cookie: - 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate (64% cocoa), melted in a double boiler
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
For the filling: - 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (64% cocoa), finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
(Makes 1 dozen sandwich cookies) Directions Preheat the oven to 350ºF. To make the cookies: Grind the cocoa nibs in a coffee grinder or food processor until a fine powder. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, ground cocoa nibs, and the sugars on medium speed until well mixed. Add the melted chocolate and the vanilla. Sift together the dry ingredients and add to the bowl. Mix into a smooth dough and chill in the freezer for 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to a large surface covered with a layer of parchment paper. Top with another layer of parchment and gently roll the dough into a ¼-inch-thick sheet. To prevent the cookies from sticking as you cut them, carefully remove the top layer of parchment and sprinkle some flour over the sheet of dough. Replace the parchment, flip the dough, and release the parchment on the other side. Cut the dough into 2½-inch round cookies and space ½ inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Gather any leftover scraps of dough and roll and cut as described above. Repeat until you have no dough left. Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes, turning the pan 90 degrees halfway through baking, until you can smell the toasted chocolate. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. Cool completely. Once cool, the cookies should be crisp. To make the filling: Place the chocolate, butter, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a boil and pour one-third of the cream over the chopped chocolate to melt the chocolate. Add the rest of the cream and stir until smooth. Let cool to room temperature. Place half of the cookies with the top side (the most attractive) down. Using a piping bag or a spoon, evenly distribute the filling among those cookies, and close into sandwiches with the remaining cookies. Gently press down. Serve immediately or store the cookies in a cool place.
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