Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking - 125 Recipes from the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Ocean Islands

Von Diaz's book "Islas" explores the bold flavors and big stories of tropical island cooking, featuring 125 recipes and techniques from across the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans. The book showcases the shared ancestral cooking techniques of these islands, with ingredients and flavors that pair well together despite cultural differences. It aims to preserve the wisdom, values, and resilience of the people who live in these volatile and vulnerable places, and provides a path for cooking delicious food for others. The book includes detailed recipes and full-color photographs, and is written by a celebrated author and seasoned food researcher.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2024
Publisher: Chronicle Books

The islands that span the vast expanses of the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans are truly remarkable places, boasting a multitude of shared ingredients and culinary techniques. These techniques include marinating, pickling, and fermentation, braising and stewing, frying, grilling, and smoking, as well as steaming and in-ground roasting. The bold flavors that emanate from each dish carry with them the rich tapestry of stories, resilience, and wisdom that have been passed down through generations.

In this captivating narrative cookbook, writer, documentary producer, and author Von Diaz takes us on a journey across oceans and nations, showcasing the ancestral cooking techniques of these islands through more than 125 delectable recipes. Each recipe is accompanied by intimate profiles of the historical context behind the technique, captivating stories from the islanders themselves, and step-by-step guides for recreating them in the comfort of your own home.

From the vibrant Coco Bread of Jamaica to the Stewed Crab Rice (Arroz con Jueyes) of Puerto Rico, the Masikita (Papaya-Marinated Beef Skewers) of Madagascar, the Bebek Betutu (Roasted Duck in Banana Leaf) of Indonesia, and the Crispy Fried Pork Belly (Lechon Kawali) of the Philippines, the flavors showcased in these recipes are a testament to the remarkable harmony and synchronization found in the unique cuisines of each island nation. Despite the geographical distances and cultural differences, the ingredients and deep-rooted cooking techniques employed in these recipes seamlessly blend together, creating a symphony of flavors that is both soul-nourishing and utterly captivating.

Amidst the backdrop of environmental chaos and food insecurity, the islanders continue to cook in ways that are not only nourishing to the soul but also bursting with flavor. Their culinary traditions serve as a testament to their unwavering determination, resilience, and wisdom, reminding us of the power of food to bring people together and celebrate the rich tapestry of our global heritage.

Islas is a celebration of the diverse culinary traditions of the islands, a testament to the resilience and creativity of the islanders who have shaped these cuisines over centuries. It is a journey through time and space, a celebration of the beauty and richness of our world, and a reminder of the enduring power of food to connect, inspire, and nourish us.

Weight: 1520g
Dimension: 260 x 210 x 215 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781797215242