Author Description

Why another cookbook, and one with recipes from such a little known country as Romania at that? I believe more people should know Romanian cookery, especially in these days of rising food costs. By the artful use of herbs and flavorings truly gourmet dishes may be prepared from the cheaper cuts of meats like beef, lamb and veal... from extras like tripe, heart and sweetbreads... and from leftovers. A cheap and most delicious dish is the chicken stew made out of wings, liver and gizzards. Even vegetable dishes can be made delectable this way. Very many novel ones are given here, like the eggplant and ghivetch, which will make the Lenten season more enjoyable... for fast days, which in the Balkans come on Wednesdays and Fridays, these recipes will make a greater choice of dishes available. And the great variety of vegetable dishes should be of particular interest for vegetarians. Very many of the recipes are for one meal dishes. They supply all the needed nourishment, cost little and are easy to prepare. I think the cooking of my native land is exquisite. It is impossible for one not to love the food that was first prepared by Mother and that always brings forth memories of one's youth. But, fortunately, the Americans love Romanian dishes, too. Those who have traveled in that far-off country have come back enthusiasts, and even those who had eaten at the Romanian Pavilion of the New York World's Fair. This need not surprise us. Bigness does not make for goodness, often it is the other way around. Romanian cooking is famous among gourmets around the world!