Review: Halal Food, Fun and Laughter

Halal Food, Fun and Laughter
  Linda D. Delgado
  Paperback ISBN 0-9767861-5-X
  Muslim Writers Publishing
  Tempe, Arizona

I wrote the following article in late 2005 or early 2006 whan I had the pleasure to help an author do some corrections and update a cookbook she had published. She used my review and suggestions along with five others to help get her book in shape. I was pleasently  suprised to receive an newly revised autographed copy when she got the finished product, in the fall of 2006. Included in the revised edition is a description of Hala and a section in the back with defination of terms, useful websites and my review along with the others. Linda's book is available  from Amazon at the following link:

http://tinyurl.com/2gymz8
  
  I was one of the lucky six who received a copy of Linda Delgado's
book, Halal, Food, Fun and Laughter to read, review and cook from. I
spent a few hours enjoying this book while waiting for my Dad to come 
out of surgery. What a pleasant way to keep my mind occupied during my wait. 

Even though the  target audience for this book is Muslim cooks, I think
cookbook collectors who are interested in or curious about other
cultures or religions would find this book to be a great addition to their
collections. If you like trying new recipes from around the world then
this is a great little book.
   
  Many of the recipes in this book were contributed by Linda's "sister
friends" from around the world. Some are recognized in the book while
other wished to remain anonymous.
  
  Linda has a cute little character featured through the book called
"Ms Don't Do Spoon", who often appears in little cartoons. Also scattered
occasionally among the recipes are some funny food stories and poems,
my favorite being the Sleep Cooking Poem. Since this book is targeted to
Muslims she also includes some verses from the Qur'an, Hadith, and the
5 Pillars of Islam.
  
  She ends the book with  helpful Handy Measurement Conversions. The
book is divided into five sections and an introduction. The five are
Soups and Salads, Main Dishes, Side Dishes, Desserts and finally
Specialties.
  
  I enjoy new and different cookbooks. I also enjoy learning about new
cultures, people and places, especially through the foods they eat.
Even though I wasn't familiar with the Muslim faith I enjoyed reading and
learning from this book. 
 
  Most of the ingredients called for in the recipes are easily found at
you local supermarket. The only things you might have difficulty
finding are anchoor (dried mango powder) , asafoetida, ghee and preserved
lemons. If you have a middle eastern or Indian market nearby these items
can be found there or they may be ordered on line. I bought some
asafoetida while in CA at a spice place in Norwalk called Little India. Oh the
heavenly smells there! These ingredients are only called for in one or
two recipes. Also flax seed is called for in a couple recipes and can
be found in most health food stores. Isn't it wonderful how spices and
foods that used to be impossible to find are now readily available
either on line or in our favorite markets?