J. M. Levinton

World Party: Vegetarian Appetizers, Hors d’oeuvres and Party Plates, by Roberta Roberti

• December 05, 2016
• Blog
• 1 Comment

Full disclosure: I was the copy editor of this book. In case you think that makes me want to gush, think again. I had to look at each page with a critical eye. I could not allow myself to be swayed by the pretty pictures or charming anecdotes. Each recipe needed to be thought out and visualized. I’ve read too many cookbooks that omitted a step or even an ingredient. (One cookbook listed a recipe in its index and in one of its menus but left out the actual recipe.)

World Party was a pleasure. I learned food facts that were artfully interspersed with recipes, and was introduced to ingredients far outside my comfort zone. I bookmarked dishes to try and cautiously considered others. Roberta Roberti’s book showed me how deficient I am in the world’s cuisine. Here are a few of the recipes she gives and the country each is from:

Barbados

Black Bean Cakes with Mango-Peach Salsa

Ecuador

Morocho/Spiced Corn Drink

Ireland

Pub Ale Cheese Spread

Kenya

M’baazi/Coconut Beans

Norway

Lefse/Potato Crepes

Spain

Aceitunas Fritas/Fried Olives

Turkey

Piyaz/White Bean Salad

I hope you’ll take a look and try this cookbook for the simple pleasure of tempting one’s palate with flavors that might be familiar—or, more excitingly, are not.

World Party: Vegetarian Appetizers, Hors d”oeuvres and Party Plates