Skip to main content

BOOK REVIEW: DAISY’S HOLIDAY COOKING

  
DAISY’S HOLIDAY COOKING
Delicious Latin Recipes for Effortless Entertaining
By Daisy Martinez
Atria Paperback
November 2010



Daisy’s authentic recipes are easy to make, easy to eat, and sure to please.   –Rachel Ray

Whether you’re cooking for six or for six hundred, the secret to a successful party is organization, organization, organization!  –Daisy Martinez



Daisy’s new cookbook is a welcomed addition for the holidays.

She has organized her cookbook by themes. For example, Cozy Festive Fall Dinner, Thanksgiving Buffet, Open House Decorating Party, Christmas Eve Dinner, Elegant New Year’s Dinner and New Year’s Day “Linner” (that’s the meal between lunch and dinner).

Each themed-date comes complete with a menu, step-by-step user-friendly recipes, definitions of Latino foods and products, possible variations of the recipe, substitute ingredients where possible and preparation schedules. Plus, throughout the book, Daisy lets you know what can be made ahead of time so you can cross that item off your list of things to do and enjoy more of your party time.

So with some time, freezer bags and plastic containers anyone is ready to get cooking…even Me!

I am not a cook so I started with the Baby Spinach Salad with Melon, Almonds and Serrano Ham. I couldn’t make the little balls so I improvised and diced the melon into tiny pieces instead. My oven didn’t work so neither the bread nor the almonds were toasted but overall it was delicious. The sliders were easier to make, but I have to admit I’ve never added pork or achiote to my burger, and I’ve always had my French fries on the side. Next up, her turkey version of the cubano, the shrimp diablo and of course, the coquito pancakes. Can’t wait.

Another great thing about DAISY’S HOLIDAY COOKING is that her recipes can be mixed and matched – customized if you will – to fit any of Your holiday entertaining needs. For example, the Yuca Mofongo goes on the Thanksgiving Buffet, however, you can turn the leftovers into fritters and serve them at the New Year’s Day Linner or for breakfast any morning. And the Arroz Mamposteado is good any day of the week.

You can follow the menus and the recipes word-for-word, or be adventurous and explore. Either way will work. So let us know which menus/recipes you try and which ones you liked best.

Buen provecho!♥


OTHER BOOKS BY DAISY:
DAISY: MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT and
DAISY COOKS!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  As a surprise birthday gift, Daisy's husband sent her to cooking school - a dream that she had always wanted to pursue. In 1998, she matriculated at the French Culinary Institute, where she won first prize for her final project, The Passionate Palate.  Daisy is the author of two cookbooks and the star of Viva Daisy!, which debuted on the Food Network in January 2009. She launched her career with the PBS series Daisy Cooks! And a cookbook based on the show. She has appeared on the Today show and The Early Show.  To learn more about Daisy, and cooking, visit her at http://www.daisymartinez.com/
  

Comments

Thelma T. Reyna said…
Maria, it sounds like you really got into the cooking! Good for you. Like you, I'm not a cook either, though I've always admired folks who are good cooks...like my mother and my husband (thank goodness!). Good review, as always. Keep it up!
dovalpage said…
Ya tengo hambre! I love user-friendly recipes...And the turkey version of the cubano sounds perfect for South Beach dieters, que no? Her recipes sound perfect for holidays and ordinary days!
Maria,

Thanks for the yummy book review -- possibly a great holiday gift for both cooks and non-cooks. Will check it out!

Alina Garcia-Lapuerta
http://twitter.com/GarciaLapuerta