Everything Tastes Better with Bacon: 70 Fabulous Recipes for Every Meal of the Day is a book about cooking with bacon written by Sara Perry. She is an author, food commentator and columnist for The Oregonian. The book was published in the United States on May 1, 2002, by Chronicle Books, and in a French language edition in 2004 by Les Editions de l'Homme in Montreal. In it, Perry describes her original concept of recipes combining sugar and bacon. Her book includes recipes for bacon-flavored dishes and desserts.
Author | Sara Perry |
---|---|
Language | English |
Subject | Cooking |
Publisher | Chronicle Books |
Publication date | May 1, 2002 |
Publication place | United States |
Pages | 132 |
ISBN | 0-8118-3239-2 |
OCLC | 47100742 |
LC Class | 2001037240 |
The book received positive reviews and its recipes were selected for inclusion in The Best American Recipes 2003–2004. The St. Petersburg Times classed it as among one of the "most interesting and unique cookbooks" published, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette highlighted it in the article "Favorite Cookbooks for 2002" and The Denver Post included it in a list of best cookbooks of 2002. Recipes from the work have been featured in related cookbooks.
Background
Sara Perry is a resident of Portland, Oregon, and a columnist for The Oregonian,[1][2] a radio restaurant commentator[3] and a cookbook author. Before Everything Tastes Better with Bacon she wrote four books: The New Complete Coffee Book, The New Tea Book, Christmastime Treats and Weekends with the Kids.[3] Her editor at Chronicle Books suggested bacon as a cookbook subject.[4] Bacon's popularity and usage was increasing, but Perry believed that a paucity of recipes would make writing the book difficult.[4] Recalling her fondness for honey-baked ham, she combined sugar and bacon to create dishes.[4] Perry realized that bacon could be used to add seasoning in flavoring dishes, including salads and pastas.[5] She observed that bacon increased the sweet and salty tastes of food.[6] Everything Tastes Better with Bacon was published in English in paperback format by Chronicle Books on May 1, 2002.[7][8] The book sold for a retail price of US$18.95 in its initial publication.[9][10] A French paperback edition was published in 2004 by Les Editions de l'Homme, as part of its "Tout un plat!" ("What a dish!") series.[11][12]
Content summary
Perry explains her feelings about bacon in the book's introduction, observing that its smell while cooking helps start her day and provide her with a sense of calmness.[13] The beginning of the book provides background on the phrase "bringing home the bacon", introduces the reader to types of bacon and describes storage methods.[14] The book offers 70 recipes for bacon-flavored dishes,[15][16] in nine chapters organized by topic, including breakfast, leaf vegetables, pasta meals, side dishes, party servings, desserts and appetizers.[17][18][19] Recipes include a bacon sandwich using other ingredients,[20] a bacon crunch topping for ice cream,[21] a bacon concoction to top a fruit crisp,[16] and a pie crust that incorporates bacon.[22] Methods are offered for cooking bacon on a stovetop, in an oven and under a griller to maximize its flavor and appearance.[19][23][24] The book is illustrated with photographs by Sheri Giblin.[25]
Reception
Everything Tastes Better with Bacon was positively received by reviewers and food critics. The Chicago Tribune reported that it sold 30,000 copies in its first month.[26] Janet F. Keeler of the St. Petersburg Times commented positively on the book's title.[27] She noted the work was covered by food critics, who included its recipes in articles about the subject.[27] Keeler interviewed Fran McCullough, author of The Best American Recipes 2003–2004, who posited that the Atkins diet had helped increase the popularity of bacon usage.[27][a] She classed it among the "most interesting and unique cookbooks" published.[29] Giblin's photography received favorable commentary from Cindy Hoedel of The Kansas City Star.[25] Literary critic Dwight Garner of The New York Times included the book in a list of favorites among recent cooking publications.[30] The review was critical of the author's dessert recipes, but agreed with her overall argument for increased use of bacon in cooking.[30]
The Arizona Daily Star highlighted the book in their "Hot Reads" section.[31] Assistant Texas Taste Editor for The Dallas Morning News Laura H. Ehret wrote that the book successfully conveys the experience of consuming bacon.[32] Marty Meitus wrote for the Rocky Mountain News that the book had increased his appetite for bacon dishes.[33] Meitus recommended dessert recipes, including Hazelnut-Bacon Candy Crunch, Peanut Butter Cookies with Bacon Brittle, Pear-Apple Crisp with Brown Sugar-Bacon Topping and Ruby Raisin Mincemeat Tart.[33] Steve Smith, executive chef at Dixon's Downtown Grill in Denver, was inspired by Perry's "Maple Sundae" recipe and used it to create his own macadamia-bacon crunch ice cream dessert.[34]
Writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Marlene Parrish gave the book a favorable review, highlighting it in her article "Favorite Cookbooks for 2002".[35] She wrote that she enjoyed sampling the recipes from the book.[35] Parrish added that Robert Atkins, creator of the Atkins diet, would think favorably of the "Gorgonzola Cheeseburgers with Bacon" dish.[35] The Denver Post included the book in a list of best cookbooks of 2002.[36] Another article for the same newspaper highlighted recipes in the book, including Spaghetti alla Carbonara and Cobb Salad, Pear-Apple Crisp with Brown Sugar-Bacon Topping and Bacon Brittle.[37] A review in The Toronto Star criticized Perry's lack of creativity in her choice of recipes.[38] The review concluded the book was a good deal compared to other cookbooks on the subject, while noting its lack of comprehensiveness with the small number of total recipes included.[38] Michele Anna Jordan of The Press Democrat recommended Perry's work, and commented that the author's zest for the subject was contagious.[39]
Impact
According to the Chicago Sun-Times and the St. Petersburg Times, Everything Tastes Better with Bacon is a niche work in the cookbook genre.[18][29] Perry stated that bacon had undergone a renaissance period.[10] Christian Science Monitor noted in a 2003 article that bacon was becoming an increasingly used cooking ingredient, despite having been maligned by nutritionists.[10] Recipes from the book were selected for inclusion in The Best American Recipes 2003–2004: The Year's Top Picks from Books, Magazines, Newspapers and the Internet.[40][41] Perry's recipe for "Succulent Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp" was referenced in the 2003 book Smoke & Spice: Cooking with Smoke, the Real Way to Barbecue.[42] Fran McCullough, the author of The Best American Recipes, commented that the book was a surprising addition to the field.[27] The Atlantic said that three years after the book's publication, bacon had become as popular as chocolate or olive oil.[43] Leah A. Zeldes observed in a 2006 article for the Chicago Sun-Times that the book contributed to the body of works that display the adaptability of bacon in recipes.[18] In his 2009 book Hungry Monkey, author Matthew Amster-Burton commented on the phenomena involving bacon and books on the subject in prior years, listing the book along with The Bacon Cookbook and Seduced by Bacon.[44] A 2013 article in the British newspaper The Independent cited the book as an example of increasing interest in pork.[45]
See also
Footnotes
- ^ The Atkins diet was developed by physician Robert Atkins and emphasized higher meat consumption as part of a low carbohydrate plan.[28]
Notes
- ^ Julian 2002, p. 33.
- ^ Browning-Blas 2002, p. M7.
- ^ a b Perry 2003, p. 121.
- ^ a b c Keeler 2002, p. 1C.
- ^ The Sacramento Bee staff 2002, p. F1.
- ^ Smith 2002, p. D1.
- ^ WorldCat 2011a.
- ^ Perry 2002, p. 4.
- ^ Fabricant 2002.
- ^ a b c Paulson 2003, p. 16.
- ^ WorldCat 2011b.
- ^ Perry 2004.
- ^ Crooks 2002, p. D1.
- ^ Saunders 2002, p. C4.
- ^ English 2002.
- ^ a b McCarthy 2002, p. A1.
- ^ Perry 2002, p. 7.
- ^ a b c Zeldes 2006, p. S1.
- ^ a b Lawson 2003, p. 12D.
- ^ Meitus 2003b, p. 3D.
- ^ Longino 2002.
- ^ Eddy 2002a, p. K5.
- ^ Mahoney 2003, p. D1.
- ^ Cichy 2003, p. 4E.
- ^ a b Hoedel 2002, p. E2.
- ^ Eddy 2002b, p. 1.
- ^ a b c d Keeler 2003, p. 1D.
- ^ Aldana 2005, p. 215.
- ^ a b Keeler 2008, p. 5E.
- ^ a b Garner 2002, p. 54.
- ^ Burch 2002, p. F1.
- ^ Ehret 2002, p. 6F.
- ^ a b Meitus 2003a, p. 5D.
- ^ Browning-Blas 2003, p. F01.
- ^ a b c Parrish 2002, p. F1.
- ^ Husted 2002, p. FF9.
- ^ Browning-Blas 2002, p. M-07.
- ^ a b The Toronto Star staff 2002, p. D05.
- ^ Jordan 2002, p. D1.
- ^ McCullough 2003, pp. 84–85, 280, 284.
- ^ Bonwich 2004, p. 1.
- ^ Jamison 2003, p. 340.
- ^ Kummer 2005.
- ^ Amster-Burton 2009, p. 63.
- ^ Muston 2013, pp. 44–45.
References
- Aldana, Steven (2005). The Culprit and The Cure. Maple Mountain Press. p. 215. ISBN 0-9758828-0-5.
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(help) - Amster-Burton, Matthew (2009). Hungry Monkey: A Food-Loving Father's Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater. Houghton Mifflin. p. 63. ISBN 0-15-101324-1.
{{cite book}}
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(help) - Bonwich, Joe (April 7, 2004). "The Whites of Spring – Egg Recipes by the Dozen". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Lee Enterprises. p. 1; Section: Let's Eat.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - Browning-Blas, Kristen (December 1, 2002). "Italian cookbooks saucy stuff 'Sopranos' remains hot seller for stores". The Denver Post. The Denver Post Corp. p. M–07.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - Browning-Blas, Kristen (February 26, 2003). "Aficionados tell why everybody loves bacon Breakfast meat back in style as high-end treat". The Denver Post. The Denver Post Corp. p. F–01.
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(help) - Burch, Cathalena E. (July 17, 2002). "In the mood for melons". The Arizona Daily Star. Lee Enterprises. p. F1.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - Cichy, Betty (October 22, 2003). "A guide for bacon lovers". Bucks County Courier Times. Levittown, Pennsylvania. p. 4E.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - Crooks, Laura (August 7, 2002). "Let bacon add a little sizzle to your meal". The Spokesman-Review. Cowles Publishing Company. p. D1.
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(help) - Eddy, Kristin (Chicago Tribune) (June 9, 2002). "Bring it home and fry it up – Many Americans love bacon's sizzle and taste". Lexington Herald-Leader. The McClatchy Company. p. K5.
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(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Eddy, Kristin (May 15, 2002). "Back to bacon ; A breakfast staple renews its image with new artisan brands". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. p. 1; Section: Good Eating. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
{{cite news}}
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(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) (subscription required) - English, Simon (October 11, 2002). "US shoppers bring home the bacon for investors". The Daily Telegraph. London, England: Telegraph Media Group.
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(help) - Ehret, Laura H. (Assistant Texas Taste Editor) (June 23, 2002). "Bacon basics". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation. p. 6F.
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(help) - Fabricant, Florence (June 19, 2002). "Food Stuff; What to Do With It Once You Bring It Home". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
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(help) - Garner, Dwight (December 8, 2002). "Cooking". The New York Times Book Review. 107 (49). The New York Times Company: 54. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
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(help) - Hoedel, Cindy (July 31, 2002). "Mmmmm ... bacon". The Kansas City Star. The Kansas City Star Co. p. E2.
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(help) - Husted, Bill (December 13, 2002). "Fat Daddy serves up Starbucks". The Denver Post. The Denver Post Corp. p. FF–09.
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(help) - Jamison, Cheryl Alters (2003). Smoke & Spice: Cooking with Smoke, the Real Way to Barbecue. Harvard Common Press. p. 340. ISBN 1-55832-262-0.
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suggested) (help) - Jordan, Michele Anna (May 1, 2002). "Smoking your own bacon offers flavorful reward". The Press Democrat. The New York Times Company. p. D1.
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(help) - Julian, Sheryl (July 28, 2002). "Bring home the bacon – Consumers are rediscovering the aromatic smoky pork that was once an American staple". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts: Globe Newspaper Company. p. 33; Section: Magazine.
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suggested) (help) - Keeler, Janet K. (St. Petersburg Times) (July 10, 2002). "Add gusto with flavor of bacon". The Cincinnati Post. E. W. Scripps Company. p. 1C.
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(help) - Keeler, Janet F. (October 29, 2003). "She clips, you cook". St. Petersburg Times. Times Publishing Company. p. 1D.
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(help) - Keeler, Janet F. (November 12, 2008). "A Bounty of Good Cookbooks". St. Petersburg Times. Times Publishing Company. p. 5E.
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(help) - Kummer, Corby (November 2005). "Better Bacon: Artisan producers are making bacon even more irresistible". The Atlantic. The Atlantic Monthly Group. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
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(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Lawson, Kate (July 10, 2003). "Bacon's back in favor – Low-carb diets, adventurous cooks have more people living high on the hog". Detroit News. MediaNews Group; Detroit Media Partnership. p. 12D.
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(help) - Longino, Bob (Cox News Service) (October 23, 2002). "Come back to bacon, because it's a little strip of heaven". San Mateo County Times. MediaNews Group; accessed via NewsBank. p. Section: Living and Arts.
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(help) - Mahoney, Louis (January 15, 2003). "Strip tease – Wake up and smell the bacon". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Richmond Newspapers, Inc. p. D–1.
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(help) - McCarthy, Michael J. (The Wall Street Journal) (October 10, 2002). "Bacon is makin' a comeback". The Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. p. A01.
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(help) - McCullough, Fran (2003). The Best American Recipes 2003–2004: The Year's Top Picks from Books, Magazines, Newspapers and the Internet. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. pp. 84–85, 280, 284. ISBN 0-618-27384-0.
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suggested) (help) - Meitus, Marty (August 13, 2003). "Cookbooks don't blow smoke in bringing home the bacon". Rocky Mountain News. E. W. Scripps Company, operated by Denver Newspaper Agency. p. 5D.
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(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Meitus, Marty (September 3, 2003). "Slices of life – How to perk up the same-old sandwich routine". Rocky Mountain News. E. W. Scripps Company, operated by Denver Newspaper Agency. p. 3D.
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(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Muston, Samuel (March 22, 2013). "The best of British Bacon – Features What's the secret of a really tasty rasher, whether it's for a sandwich or to to add some sizzle to your stew? Samuel Muston joins the experts in a competition to pick Britain's finest". The Independent. London, England. pp. 44–45, Section: Features, Edition: 1st.
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(help) - Parrish, Marlene (December 19, 2002). "Favorite Cookbooks for 2002". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Block Communications. p. F–1; Section: Food.
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(help) - Paulson, Amanda (June 11, 2003). "Bacon keeps on sizzling: Despite a bad rap from nutritionists, bacon is enjoying a renaissance among chefs, home cooks". Christian Science Monitor. p. 16. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
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(help) - Perry, Sara (2002). Everything Tastes Better with Bacon. Chronicle Books. ISBN 0-8118-3239-2.
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(help) - Perry, Sara (2003). The New Complete Coffee Book. Chronicle Books. p. 121. ISBN 0-8118-4021-2.
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suggested) (help) - Perry, Sara (2004). Bacon, Tout un plat! (in French). Les Editions de l'Homme. ISBN 978-2-7619-1953-1.
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(help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - The Sacramento Bee staff (September 18, 2002). "Back into the frying pan – Bacon is hot again – and look at all the sizzling varieties". The Sacramento Bee. The McClatchy Company. p. F1.
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(help) - Saunders, Lucy (Newhouse News Service) (August 7, 2002). "Book serves up a huge slab of bacon ideas". The Seattle Times. Seattle Times Company. p. C4.
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(help) - Smith, Kathie (August 20, 2002). "Tasty and trendy, bacon is back". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio: Block Communications. p. D1.
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(help) - The Toronto Star staff (June 5, 2002). "There's no mistakin', it's bacon". The Toronto Star. Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. p. D05.
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(help) - WorldCat (2011a). "Everything Tastes Better with Bacon". Online Computer Library Center. www.worldcat.org. OCLC 47100742.
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(help) - WorldCat (2011b). "Bacon, Tout un plat!". Online Computer Library Center. www.worldcat.org. OCLC 54460685.
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(help) - Zeldes, Leah A. (October 4, 2006). "Stripsearch: Getting to know everything about bacon". Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago Sun-Times, Inc. p. S1 / Front.
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Further reading
- Jordan, Anna Michele (2003). The BLT Cookbook: Our Favorite Sandwich. William Morrow Cookbooks. ISBN 0-06-008773-0.
- Lauer, Heather (2009). Bacon: A Love Story, A Salty Survey of Everybody's Favorite Meat. William Morrow. ISBN 0-06-170428-8.
- Pruess, Joanna (2006). Seduced by Bacon: Recipes & Lore about America's Favorite Indulgence. The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-59228-851-0.
- Villas, James (2007). The Bacon Cookbook: More than 150 Recipes from Around the World for Everyone's Favorite Food. Wiley. ISBN 0-470-04282-6.
External links
- Everything Tastes Better with Bacon, at the official website of the publisher
- SaraPerry.com, official website of the author