Draws on disciplines as diverse as anthropology, ethnobotany, and agronomy to trace the biological and cultural history of the crops indigenous to the Americas and how they made their way to the kitchens of the Old World. Simultaneous.

Columbus stumbled upon the New World while seeking the riches of the orient, yet native peoples of the Americas already held riches beyond his knowing. From maize to potatoes to native beans, a variety of crops unfamiliar to Europeans were cultivated by indigenous peoples of the Americas, with other foods like chilies and chocolate on hand to make diets all the more interesting (even when used in combination, as aficionados of molé will attest). Chilies to Chocolate traces the biological and cultural history of some New World crops that have worldwide economic importance. Drawing on disciplines as diverse as anthropology, ethnobotany, and agronomy, it focuses on the domestication and use of these plants by native peoples and their dispersion into the fields and kitchens of the Old World: tomatoes to Italy, chili peppers throughout Asia, cacao wherever a sweet tooth craves chocolate. Indeed, potatoes and maize now rank with wheat and rice as the world's principal crops. "The sweetness of corn on the cob is sweeter for knowing the long, winding way by which it has come into one's hands," observe Foster and Cordell. Featuring contributions by Gary Nabhan, Alan Davidson, and others, Chilies to Chocolate will increase readers' appreciation of the foods we all enjoy, of the circuitous routes by which they have become part of our diets, and of the vital role that Native Americans have played in this process.

Includes plastic insert with equivalent measurements and metric conversions.

Draws on disciplines as diverse as anthropology, ethnobotany, and agronomy to trace the biological and cultural history of the crops indigenous to the Americas and how they made their way to the kitchens of the Old World. Simultaneous.

“A classic whodunit . . . the perfect book for food lovers.”—New York Daily News Goldy Bear is the bright, opinionated, wildly inventive caterer whose personal life is a recipe for disaster, with bills taking a bite out of her budget and her abusive ex-husband making tasteless threats. Determined to take control, Goldy moves her business to the ritzy Aspen Meadow Country Club. Soon she’s preparing decadent dinners and posh society picnics—and enjoying the favors of Philip Miller, a handsome local shrink, and Tom Schulz, her more-than-friendly neighborhood cop. Until, that is, the dishy doctor drives his BMW into an oncoming bus. Convinced that Philip’s bizarre death was no accident, Goldy begins to sift through the dead doc’s unpalatable secrets. But this case is seasoned with unexpected danger and even more unexpected revelations—the kind that could get a caterer killed. Praise for Diane Mott Davidson and Dying for Chocolate “You don’t have to be a cook or a mystery fan to love Diane Mott Davidson’s books.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune “A cross between Mary Higgins Clark and Betty Crocker.”—The Baltimore Sun Includes recipes!

“This book serves as a companion that will guide you by the hand into the world of the humble chili pepper” (The Chili King). The Hot Book of Chilies is a sizzling celebration of one of the world's best-loved plants: capsicum! Featuring a gallery of ninety seven popular varieties, from mild jalapeño and pasilla peppers to hazardous habanero and ghost peppers, this book is perfect for both timid triers and fiery fanatics alike. Learn loads of useful information about each chili, including their degree of hotness on the Scoville scale, health benefits, medicinal properties, history, and biology, as well as how to grow, preserve, and cook them. Dozens of eye-watering recipes are included for entrees, appetizers, salsas, soups, curry powders, hot sauces, jams, and even desserts! The Hot Book of Chilies contains everything you need to know about this small but mighty crop, and all the ways to enjoy it! What’s inside: A gallery of ninety seven varieties of chili peppers Details on their degree of hotness, health benefits, biology, and history Fifty one recipes for appetizers, dinner entrees, snacks, sauces, and desserts Tips for relieving chili burn, growing and preserving chili peppers, and much more

Calling all chiliheads! This revised edition of Jane Butel's instant classic includes more than 160 recipes to feed the irresistible passion and teach the methods to chili madness. These recipes are not only for chili, but for all kinds of delicious dishes that use chilies in some creative and unexpected ways. Included throughout are bits of legendary origins and spiritual beginnings, a chili rating scale, and cook-off lore. In addition, Jane guides you through parching and peeling your own dried pods and fresh peppers, the 10-Step Chili Fitness Plan, the controversy of beans vs no beans, and beef vs. pork.