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wr.i® BOCKS Other Publications: THE CIVIL WAR PLANET EARTH COLLECTOR'S LIBRARY OF THE CIVIL WAR LIBRARY OF HEALTH CLASSICS OF THE OLD WEST THE EPIC OF FLIGHT THE SEAFARERS THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COLLECTIBLES THE GREAT CITIES WORLD WAR II HOME REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT THE WORLD'S WILD PLACES THE TIME-LIFE LIBRARY OF BOATING HUMAN BEHAVIOR THE ART OF SEWING THE OLD WEST THE EMERGENCE OF MAN THE AMERICAN WILDERNESS THE TIME-LIFE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GARDENING LIFE LIBRARY OF PHOTOGRAPHY THIS FABULOUS CENTURY FOODS OF THE WORLD TIME-LIFE LIBRARY OF AMERICA TIME-LIFE LIBRARY OF ART GREAT AGES OF MAN LIFE SCIENCE LIBRARY THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TIME READING PROGRAM LIFE NATURE LIBRARY LIFE WORLD LIBRARY fAMILY LIBRARY: HOW THINGS WORK IN YOUR HOME THE TIME-LIFE BOOK OF THE FAMILY CAR THE TIME-LIFE FAMILY LEGAL GUIDE THE TIME-LIFE BOOK OF FAMILY FINANCE This volvme is one of a seri~ that explains and demonstrates how to prepare vortovs types of food, and tl>ot offers in each book on international anthology of great rec•pe•. --------------------THE GOOD COOK------------------- TECHNIQUES & RECIPES BY THE EDITORS OF TIME-LIFE BOOKS --------- -TIME-LIFE BOOKS/ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA--- -- ---- Cover, Just before serving, whole peeled pears ore cooled in o glistening sauce derived from their own cooking liquid. The pears were tenderized by gentle poaching in o cinnamon-spiced sugar syrup. Red wine, added for the lost lew minutes of cooking, contributes color ond flavor to the sauce (p oges 40-4 l). Time-Life Books Inc. CHIEF SERIES CONSULTANT PHOTOGRAPHERS . is o wholly owned subsidiary of Richard Olney, on Ameri A/do Tutino has worked in Milan, New York City TIME INCORPORATED can, has lived and worked and Washington, D.C. He has received o number founder, Henry R. Luce 1898-1967 for some three decodes in of awards for his photographs from the New York France, where he is highly Advertising Club. Editor-in-Chief, Henry Anatole Grunwald regarded os on authority Bob Komar is o Londoner who trained ot both the President, J. Richard Munro on food and wine. Author Hornsey and Manchester Schools of Art. He spe Chairman of the Boord, Rolph P. Davidson Executive Vice President, Clifford J. Grum of The French Menu Cook cializes in food photography and in portraiture. Editorial Director, Rolph Groves book and of the award INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS Group Vice President, Books, Joan D. Manley winning Simple French GREAT BRITAIN. Jane Grigson has written o number of Food, he has also contrib books about food and has been o cookery corre uted to numerous gastro spondent for the London Observer since 1968. A/on TIME-LIFE BOOKS INC. nomic magazines in Davidson is the author of several cookbooks and Editor, George Constable Executive Editor, George Daniels France and in the United Director of Design, Louis Klein Boord of Edttors, Dole M. States, including the influential journals Cuisine et the founder of Prospect Books, which specializes EBlrleonw nP,h Tillhiposm, aGse Arr.y L Secwhisre, mMpa, rGtine Mroaldn nS,im Roonbse,r tR Gos.a Mlinads on, hVainss ddier eFcrtaendc ec aonodk inlog Rceovuures edsu iVn inF rdaen cFera annced. tHhee FinR AsNcChEo laMrliych peul bLleicmaotinonniesr ,a bthoeu tc ofofooudn adnedr aconodk veircye. Stubenberg, Kit von Tulleken Director of Administration, president of Les Amities Gostronomiques lnterno David L. Harrison Dtrector of Research, Carolyn L. Sackett United States and is o member of several distin tionoles, is o frequent lecturer on wine and vine Director of Photography, John Conrad Weiser guished gastronomic and oenologicol societies, in yards. GERMANY: Jochen Kuchenbecker trained as o Design, Arnold C. Holeywell (assistant director), Anne B. cluding La Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tostevin, chef, but worked for 10 years os o food photogra Landry (art coordinator), James J. Cox (quality control) L'Acodemie lnternotionole du Vin, and Lo Com pher in several European countries before opening Research, Jane Edwin (assistant director), Louise D. Forstoll monderie du Bontemps de Medoc et des Groves. his own restaurant in Homburg. Anne Brokemeier is Copy Room, Dione Ullius (director), Celio Beattie Working in London with the series editorial staff, he PPreotedru clnticohno, uFteelgicuiaizn o Madrid (director), Gordon E. Buck, thhaiss vboeleunm eb,a asincda lhlya rse ssuppoenrsvibisleed f othr eth fein apll asnenleincgti oonf Mthaes sciom-oa uAtlhboerri noif iso on uwmeblle-krn oofw cno fookobdo owkrsite. rI TaAnlYd: journalist with o special interest in culinary history. of recipes submitted by other consultants. The Unit His many books include lo Tovolo oll'ftoliono, 4000 President, Reginald K. Brock Jr. Executive Vice President, ed States edition of The Good Cook has been re Anni o Tovolo and 100 Ricette Storiche. THE NETHER· John Steven Maxwell Vice Presidents, George Artondi, vised by the Editors of Time-Life Books to bring it LANDS: Hugh Jons has published cookbooks and his Stephen L. Boir, Peter G. Barnes, Nicholas Benton, John L. into accord with American customs and usage. recipes appear in several Dutch magazines. Co novo, Beatrice T. Dobie, Christopher T. Linen, James L. Mercer, Paul R. Stewart CHIEF AMERICAN CONSULTANT Carol Cutler is the author of o number of cook books, including the award-winning Six-Minute THE GOOD COOK Souffle and Other Culinary Delights (republished os The original version of this book wos created in London Cuisine Roptde). During the 12 years that she lived for Time-Life Books B.V. in France, she studied ot the Cordon Bleu and European Editor: Kit von Tu lleken Destgn Director: Ed Skyner Photography Dtrector: Pamela Morke Chief of the Ecole des Trois Gourmondes, os well os with Research, Vanessa Kromer Chtef Sub-Editor: lise Gray private chefs. She is o member of the Cercle des Chief of Editonol Production: Ellen Brush Quality Control: Gourmettes, o long-established French food soci Douglas Whitworth ety limited to 50 members, ond is o charter member of Les Domes d'Escoffier, Washington Chapter. Correspondents: Elisabeth Kraemer (Bonn); Margot Hopgood, Dorothy Bacon (london); Miriam Hsio, Lucy T. Stoll for fruits: Editor, Ellen Galford Series Coordinator, SPECIAL CONSULTANTS Voulgoris (New York); Moria Vincenzo Aloisi, Josephine du Debbie Litton Text Editors: Louise Eorwoker (principal), Jolene Worthington received degrees from the Culi Brusle (Paris); Ann Notonson (Rome). Nicoletta Flessoti Anthology Editor: Tokunbo Williams Valuable assistance wos also provided by: Jonny Hovinga Stoll Writers, Alexandra Corlier, Solly Crawford, Eluned nary Institute of America in Hyde Pork, New York, (Amsterdam); Berta Julio (Barcelona); Bono Schmid James Researchers, Caroline Bourn (principal), Debra Rood and worked as o restaurant chef for many years. (Milan); Mimi Murphy (Rome). Designer, Mary Staples Sub-Editors: Kate Conn, Charles Formerly the Test Kitchen Chef in recipe develop Boyle, Frances Dixon, Solly Rowland Editorial Deportment, ment ot Cuisine magazine, she contributes articles Judith Heaton, Lesley Kinahan, Stephanie Lee, Debra to food magazines and conducts cooking classes 1!:1 1983 Tome-tole Books BV Lelliott, Jane Lillicrop, Lindo Mollett, Janet Matthew, Sylvia in Chicago. She has been responsible for demon N1!:1 o1 p98o3ri Toofm theo·lso fbeo Booko mkso yIn bc.e A rlel prorgohdtus creedse irnv eodn.y form or by ony elec· Osborne, Ros Smith, Molly Sutherland strating most of the step-by-step photogrophtc se tronic or mechoniCOI meons, 1nclud,ng information storage and re· quences in this volume. trievol devices or systems, w1thout prior written permission from the U.S. Stoll for Frutts: Editor: Gerry Schremp Designer: Ellen Pot Alburey is o member of the Association of Fpourbstl opsrhonerro, negx cPerpinltlehdo lo nb rUoe.Sf pAo. ssoges moy be quoted for reviews Robling Chief Researchers, Barbaro Fleming, Barbaro Levitt Home Economists of Great Britain. Her wide expe Publoshed simuhoneously on Conodo Associate Edttor: Christine Schuyler (pictures) Writers, rience includes preparing foods lor photography, School ond lobrory doslrobullon by Solver Burdell Com pony, Lynn R. Addison, Deborah Berger-Turnbull, Roche\ Cox, teaching cookery and creating recipes. She was re Morrosrown, New Jersey 07960 Rita Mullin Researchers, Tina Ujloki (techniques), sponsible for many of the step-by-step demonstra TIME·LIFE os o lrodemork of Tome lncorporoled U.S.A. Jane Honno (anthology), Ann Ready Assistant Designer: tions in this volume. Peg Schreiber Copy Coordinators: Allan Follow, To nno David Schwartz has run restaurants in Boston and For •nformohon obour ony T.me·life book, please wnte: Gibert, Nancy Lendved Picture Coordmator, Betty H. Reeder lnformoloon, Time·lofe Books Weotherley Editorial Assistants, And reo Reynolds, Patricio London, and is the author of o book about choco 541 NMh Foorbonks Court, Chocogo, Illinois 60611 Whiteford Special Contnbutors, Leslie M. Marshall, late. He prepared some of the dishes for the photo Lydia Preston graphs in this volume. library of Congress CIP dolo, poge 176. - -- - - -- - - -CONTENTS-- - - - - - - - - INTRODUCTION 5 Nature's sweet bounty I Favorites from the orchard I A panoply of pitted fruits I Melons: Cool and refreshing I The citrus family: Tart and sweet I Soft fruits: A multiplicity of tastes and 25 te1xture s I Simple steps to smooth purees I Creating clear juices/ Mellow companions founded on egg yolks RAW-FRUIT PRESENTATIONS Capturing freshness and flavor I Artful handling for single 2 fruits I Fresh-fruit mixtures in natural shells I Melon containers for fruit medleys /The pleasing partnership of fruit and cream I Cheese: The perfect counterpoint I Strawberries and shortcake: Traditional companions POACHING, STEWING AND STEAMING 39 Moist heat for succulent fruit creations/Steeping and poaching for tender results I Composing perfect 3 compotes I Adjusting the timing to suit the fruit I Fruit-filled dumplings gently simmered ITe nder blueberries in cream-cheese pancakes I A steamed fig pudding FRYING 51 Sizzling fruits to enhance delicate flavors I Three variations on the sauteed fruit dessert I A mixed saute of tropical fruits I Sweetened peaches in flaming spirits I Caramelized 5Ll apples cloaked in cream I Deep-fried fritters in crisp caramel jackets I Fried puffs of fruit-filled chou paste BAKING AND BROILING Traditional methods for diverse delights/ Simple baking for 5sturdy fr uits I Whole fruits wrapped in pastry I Crisps and cobblers: Fruits baked under cover I Prunes and raisins enveloped in batter I Souffles: Puffed fruit concoctions I Fruits broiled under mellow toppings MOLDED AND FROZEN DESSERTS 73 From simple jellies to opulent assemblies I A shimmering ring of fruit and jelly I Foamy fruit puddings I A multi-textured assembly I Brilliant colors in a formal pattern /Water ices with a tropical tang I Peach ice in a tulip-shaped cup I A cherry ice-cream baked Alaska ANTHOLOGY OF RECIPES 89 Apples, pears and quinces 90 I Peaches, apricots, nectarines and mangoes 101 I Plums, cherries and dates 107 I Berries and grapes 112 I Melons 126 I Citrus fruits 128 I Guavas, prickly pears, kiwi fruits and figs 139 I Bananas 141 I Pineapples, papayas, passion fruits and pomegranates 144 I Rhubarb and persimmons 148 I Dried fruits 150 I Mixed fruits 156 I Standard preparations 162 RECIPE INDEX 168 GENERAL INDEX I GLOSSARY 171 RECIPE CREDITS 174 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND PICTURE CREDITS 176 4 - - -- - - -- -INTRODUCTION------- - - J'Iature's Sweet GJ3ounty Fruit, in all its richly hued and succulent variations, is perhaps kinds of apples, and four kinds of pears, are relatively easy to the purest expression of the earth's largesse. The most accessi obtain regardless of the time of year they are harvested. This is ble offoods, it is infinitely satisfying in its pristine form: What because both fruits respond well to controlled-atmosphere stor confectioner, after all, could concoct a treat more luscious than a age, which provides a refrigerated environment abnormally low freshly picked raspberry? At the same time, fruit readily lends in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide and nitrogen. The altered itself to transmutation by the culinary arts. atmosphere slows the picked fruit's final ripening stage, thus The pages that follow feature fruit as the primary ingredi lengthening the fruit's life cycle. ent in all manner of dishes, from simple compotes to a splendid The effective use of refrigeration in shipping has increased fruit-based baked Alaska. First, a series of illustrated guides the availability of almost every kind of fruit, including many provides basic information on the entire spectrum of fruits that could be enjoyed only in the tropics just a few decades ago. the everyday apple and peach as well as the exotic cherimoya For example, chilled cherimoyas, mangoes and guavas from and papaya. These guides explain how to distinguish a ripe fruit Latin America and the West Indies now regularly arrive in the from an immature one, how to store the fruit you purchase, and United States and Canada by airplane and by refrigerated truck how to peel, core and otherwise prepare it for eating or cooking. to supplement the supplies from North American farmers. The section concludes with demonstrations of techniques to be Similarly, kiwi fruit is flown from New Zealand and the used for pureeing fruit and juicing it, and for producing cus Granny Smith apple from South Africa, where an exceptionally tards as enhancements. long apple-growing season produces the best-tasting speci The book's first chapter addresses ways of presenting fruit mens of this variety. raw-shaping pineapple into boats, sculpting a watermelon basket for summer fruit, assembling an old-fashioned straw Fruit in the menu berry shortcake. The second chapter is devoted to cooking fruits Within the structure of a meal, fruit traditionally appears gently with moist heat: pears poached in wine; plum dump in the guise of a sweet dessert. But it can perform delightfully in lings; steamed fig pudding. The third deals with sauteing and other roles as well. Unadorned grapefruits, melons or figs are deep frying. The fourth introduces techniques for baking and delectable as hors d'oeuvre. A fresh-fruit macedoine, or sal broiling, with special attention given to methods of protect ad, can make up the centerpiece-or the entirety- of a light ing delicate fruit from the dry heat of the oven. The last chap lunch. And raw fruit served with cheese may be preferable to a ter features a wide variety of fruits presented in molded sweet fruit concoction at the end of either a simple repast or and frozen forms. a more formal menu. Finally, the second half of the book offers the reader an When fresh fruit is presented as a first course, the best anthology of more than 200 fruit recipes, garnered from coun wine to accompany it is a crisp, young white one, still full of tries throughout the world and representing the culinary litera its own fruit-a Sancerre from the Loire Valley, for example, ture and traditions of the past as well as the finest available or perhaps a Chenin Blanc. For a final course of assertive contemporary sources. cheese and firm-fleshed fruit such as apples or pears, the selec Most of the fruits we eat today can be traced through several tion might be a full-bodied Italian Bardolino or a California Zin millennia of cultivated ancestors. Apples are an outstanding fandel; for mild cheese with grapes, choose an Alsatian or example of what horticulturists can achieve. The Roman histo American Riesling. rian Pliny knew of a dozen varieties; the Europeans of the Mid The best partner for a lush fruit dessert is a "noble rot" wine dle Ages, a few score; and each century of cultivation added its such as a French Sauternes or a Hungarian Tokay Aszu; these own improvements at an increasing rate until, by 1911, The are made from grapes whose sugar content has been concentrat Encyclopaedia Britannica could confidently claim that 2,000 ed by evaporation-the result of fungus piercing their skins in named varieties were in existence. Today the number is far an advanced stage of ripeness. Remember, though, that desserts greater, and growing at such a pace that an accurate count served with these opulent wines should be less sweet than the would be impossible. wine itself and, preferably, less cold; serving wine with a fruit Needless to say, no supermarket can stock-or even ac water ice, for example, will do justice neither to the wme quire-so many varieties of the same fruit, but at least six nor to the dessert. 5 INTRODUCTION Favorites from the Orchard No fruit is grown in greater volume and Golden Delicious opple in more varieties than the apple, whose singular adaptability makes it equally popular for eating raw or for using in cooked preparations of every sort. The apples at left are a sampling of varieties commonly available. The Red and Gold en Delicious are the sweetest; the Mc Intosh is crisp, juicy and sweet, with tangy overtones. Rome Beauties are sub tly sweet, firm and slightly dry, while the green Granny Smith is crunchy and tart. In spite of their differences, these ap ples can generally be used interchange ably-depending on the sweetness de sired. The exception is the Mcintosh, which loses its shape during cooking. The two smallest members of the apple family are less versatile. The crab apple Granny Smith apple Anjou pear Comice pear 6 is too tart to be eaten raw, but it makes during late autumn and early winter, the delicious jellies or pickles and can add bitter quince is used mainly for jellies, tang to a sweet apple cobbler or pudding. and for lending tartness to puddings and The diminutive lady apple-crisp, sweet compotes based on sweeter fruits. and dry-ornaments a fruit bowl, but is 0 How to shop: Choose mature and fully costly to use for cooking. Compared with ripe apples and quinces; they should be most apples, which can be stored for firm, free of bruises and have good color. months and are available all year, crab Buy firm, slightly underripe pears if they and lady apples are marketed only when will be used for cooking; for eating raw, harvested in late fall and early winter. select pears with good color that have be Like apples, pears are firm-fleshed, gun to soften at the stem end. with a central seedy core. The varieties 0 Storing: Store underripe pears away at left can be served raw or cooked. How from direct sunlight in perforated paper ever, the spicily sweet Cornice, with its bags. Refrigerate ripe fruits: Pears will fine-grained, juicy flesh, and the musky, keep for three to five days, apples for at smooth-textured Bartlett are considered least a week, quinces for several weeks. best for eating raw. The spicy Anjou and 0 Preparation: Rinse firm-fleshed fruits mildly sweet Bose have the firmest flesh, before serving them with their skins in Using a corer. Peel the apple- in making them ideal for baking. tact. If the fruits are peeled, drop them in this case, a Mcintosh- with a vegetable Pears are available for most of the acidulated water-5 or 6 tablespoons [75 peeler or a small, sharp knife. Stand year- the Bartlett from midsummer to or 90 ml.] of lemon juice per quart [liter] the apple, stem end up, and plunge an December and the Anjou, Bose and Co of water-to prevent discoloration. apple corer down through its center. mice from autumn through spring. Less Pears and most apples can be cored Then lift the apple in one hand and twist common varieties are available mainly whole with an apple corer, or they can be the corer, gently pulling out both the corer and the core. Immediately put the in autumn, when they are harvested. cut in half and cored with a melon bailer. apple in acidulated water. The quince is tough and dry compared Both crab apples and quinces should be with its juicier cousins. Available only quartered and cored with a knife. A Routine for Handling Pears Preparing a Quince l Peeling. With a vegetable peeler or 2 Coring. Cut the pear in half Coring and peeling. Cut the a small, sharp knife, peel strips in a circle lengthwise and scoop out the core from quince lengthwise into quarters. Working around the wide end of the pear- each half with a melon bailer. Then from the stem end to the base, carve here, a Bartlett. Then, starting at the grasp one end of the fibrous stem and the core out of each section. Then, center, peel straight toward the pull it away from the pear. If portions starting at the base and working back stem end. Using this two-part technique of stem remain, slice a shallow, V to the stem end, peel the skin from removes the skin without ruining the shaped groove along the length of the the outside of the section. Drop the pear's graceful contours. fruit to cut them out. Place the pear quarters into acidulated water. sections in acidulated water. 7