REVIEW: the Habanero Cookbook

If you are looking for a collection of creative recipes that feature the habanero and a variety of chinense peppers, then The Habanero Cookbook by Dave DeWitt and Nancy Gerlach will certainly come in handy!

The book features an interesting history of this species of peppers and over 100 recipes, from salsa and jerk paste to Deviled Crab Cakes with Tangy Mustard that will spice up your dinners for sure.

Pros

Over 100 recipes that use the habanero pepper
A interesting history of peppers and the regions from which they originated
Lovely, full color illustrations throughout the book

Cons

If you do not like spicy food, you will not find much in this book that you will enjoy
Some of the recipes call for a long ingredient list

Cookbook Review - The Habanero Cookbook by Dave DeWitt & Nancy Gerlach

The Habanero Cookbook provides a comprehensive guide to buying, preserving and cooking the chinense species of hot peppers. Most commonly referred to as the habanero, these high heat little beauties can be used to spice up a number of dishes.

Find recipes for pepper sauces, spicy mustards and sweet hot salsas in the Sauces and Salsas chapter. My favorite is the Tropical Fruit Salsa, which pairs wonderfully with grilled fish.

Your next cookout will not be complete without an array of the appetizers featured in The Habanero Cookbook such as Spicy Olives or Tropical Chicken Kebabs.

Anyone on a low calorie diet will appreciate the Soups and Salads chapter. Enjoy an unexpected Apricot-Carrot Soup or the Carribean Black Bean Soup seasoned with beer and cloves. On the salad side, I prefer the Coconut-Watermelon Salad with Lime-Habanero Dressing for a summertime treat.

As far as entrees go, you could use the Jerk Paste recipe on every meat, salad, stew or vegetable and not go wrong. Rub it on a brisket before putting it on your grill to serve your guests a succulent main dish. Find recipes for tropical pork, chicken, and even goat!