The Nutmeg Trail
A culinary journey along the ancient spice routes
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Murdoch Books
Published:28th Apr '22
Should be back in stock very soon
Eleanor Ford's The Nutmeg Trail offers a captivating exploration of spice trading history and its impact on global cuisine through delightful recipes.
In The Nutmeg Trail, award-winning writer Eleanor Ford takes readers on a culinary journey through the rich history of spice trading. Through her meticulously crafted recipes and engaging stories, she illustrates how centuries of cultural diffusion have transformed the world's cuisines. Each chapter delves into the unique flavor profiles of various spices, showcasing their versatility in the kitchen. From sweetness to heat, and from fragrance to earthiness, Ford highlights how spices can be combined and layered to create unforgettable dishes.
This enlightening guide features 80 spice-infused recipes that trace the ancient maritime trade routes across regions such as Indonesia, Malaysia, China, and India. Eleanor's background in historical research, along with her keen culinary instincts, allows her to present a collection that is both informative and practical. Each recipe is accompanied by narratives that explore the origins and significance of the spices used, providing readers with a deeper understanding of their culinary heritage.
As readers explore The Nutmeg Trail, they are invited to reflect on the stories of the spices that have traveled across oceans and continents, shaping the way we cook today. This book is not just a collection of recipes; it is a celebration of the interconnectedness of cultures through the lens of food and spices, making it a must-have for anyone interested in culinary history and global cuisine.
"Eleanor Ford is a cook and a historian, a culinary detective and, as she says, a gastronomic archaeologist. What a deep dive this is into the world of spice. It's a deep-dive, a culinary history, a spice library, anatomy and miscellany. And then the recipes! Recipes which allow the reader to travel from Asia to the Middle East along the spice route, taking in so much flavour and so much context on the way. It's the green coconut hot sauce from Somalia first up for me, followed by the green peppercorn asparagus from Thailand." Yotam Ottolenghi
"A fascinating and evocative journey along the spice routes, the 'central nervous system of the world'. The author's blend of history, geography, taxonomy and enticing recipes offers a fresh look at these small, potent ingredients that bring magic to our kitchens." Fuchsia Dunlop, author of The Food of Sichuan
"The eclectic collection of recipes from across the world will make the reader want to head straight into the kitchen to conjure up heady meals to share with their family and friends." Anissa Helou, author of Feast: Food of the Islamic World
"In The Nutmeg Trail, Eleanor Ford takes us on a mouth-watering culinary voyage to the fabled 'spiceries', those semi-mystical islands of the East Indies. A heady blend of history, adventure and deliciously authentic recipes, this book will make you hungry!" Giles Milton, author of Nathaniel's Nutmeg
"A fascinating, transporting read, packed full of intriguing recipes I can't wait to try." Felicity Cloake, Guardian food columnist and author of Perfect, The A-Z of Eating and One More Croissant for the Road
"The Nutmeg Trail offers a historical account of the spice trade with invaluable advice on the use of culinary spices - how to prepare and combine them, when to introduce them, and what delights to expect. Mouth-watering." John Keay, historian and author of The Spice Routes
'A fragrant, intoxicating and mesmerising voyage into the history and global spread of spice. With recipes every bit as delectable as the prose.' Tom Parker Bowles, British food writer and food critic
- Winner of Best International or Regional Cookbook 2023 (UK)
ISBN: 9781922351531
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 1074g
256 pages