Ultimate Muffin Book or Chili Nation

Ultimate Muffin Book: More Than 600 Recipes for Sweet and Savory Muffins

Author: Bruce Weinstein

What's quick, easy, and sure to bring on the smiles? Muffins, of course! For recipes that are sweet, savory, or just over the top, look no further than The Ultimate Muffin Book. From classics like Berry and Corn Muffins to new favorites like Margarita and savory Quiche Lorraine Muffins, Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough once again take an American fun-food classic to new heights by offering more than 600 recipes and variations for absolutely every muffin imaginable. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, anyone? Or luscious Hazelnut? Or what about Pizza Muffins for kids of all ages? Low-fat, nonfat, gluten-free, dense, and decadent -- they're all here, as well as baking tips, an ingredients guide, and a witty history of how the muffin came to be an American institution. Muffins. Is there a better way to make everyone in your life smile?

Publishers Weekly

The talented team behind the Ultimate cookbook series (The Ultimate Shrimp Book; The Ultimate Brownie Book; etc.) brings its ebullient creativity to this very American quick bread, explaining muffins' origins and providing many tips on technique, ingredients and equipment. They also include a source guide and an extremely helpful list of recipes by ingredient (e.g., all muffins with chocolate). The authors present their 101 master muffin recipes alphabetically-Almond through Zucchini-and offer several variations for each. Recognizing the recent "cupcakeization" of muffins, Weinstein and Scarbrough offer quite a few light and/or savory selections, such as Low-Fat Banana or Green Onion Parmesan. But there is no denying their sweet tooth, as witnessed by Coffeecake and Marmalade Muffins for breakfast, or Fudge, Macaroon, and Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins for dessert. Those on special diets will relish the selection of dairy- and gluten-free muffins, and for holidays, cooks might consider Haroseth, Fruitcake or Sweet Potato Casserole Muffins. Some of the ingredient combinations veer into the questionable (e.g., frankfurter-laden Corn Dog Muffins, Strawberry Black Pepper Muffins, or Duck Confit Quiche Muffins). Still, it's hard to resist the authors' user-friendly instructions, punchy head notes, clever suggestions and enthusiasm for their subject. Photos not seen by PW. (Aug.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

The latest in Weinstein and Scarbrough's popular series offers 100 or so "master" recipes along with hundreds of variations, from Almond Muffins to Matzo Brei Muffins. There are muffins for breakfast, muffins for snacks or teatime, and even muffins for dessert; there are also low-fat and nonfat versions, as well as a brief selection of icings, drizzles, and other toppings. For most baking collections. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Table of Contents:

	Acknowledgments	ix
	Introduction	1
	Making Muffins	7
	Tips for Successful Muffins	7
	A Word About Muffin Tins	10
	A Guide to Some Ingredients	11
	Muffin Recipes A to Z	17
	Toppings	221
	A List of Specialty Muffins	233
	Source Guide	237
	Index	241

Book review:

Chili Nation: The Ultimate Chili Cookbook with Recipes from Every State in the Nation

Author: Jane Stern

Time to Chow Down and Chili Up!

Here is the most comprehensive guide ever to making and enjoying America's favorite meal in a bowl.

From California's Gilroy Super Garlic Chili and Florida's Havana Moon Chili to Wisconsin's Green Bay Chili and New Hampshire's Yankee Bean Pot Chili, Chili Nation features chili recipes from all fifty states.  With their incomparable wit and style, Jane and Michael Stern offer chili history and trivia, a mail-order guide to the best spices and peppers, and tales of beloved chili parlors coast to coast.