Padma’s All American: Tales, Travels, and Recipes from Taste the Nation and Beyond

Taste the Nation host Lakshmi (Love, Loss, and What We Ate) uses this gorgeous compendium of recipes collected during her travels across the U.S. to craft a “love letter” to “all [the] immigrants who have made a life here and, in turn, made America what it is.” An extensive introduction offers practical advice on best cooking practices and a comprehensive pantry list in which Lakshmi breaks down potentially unfamiliar ingredients, stating that one of her goals is to “get you familiar with the flavors you love (or will love) but may have never tried cooking at home.” For starters, there’s som tum, or Thai green papaya salad, and Afghan leek and scallion dumplings. Meat, poultry, and seafood dishes include Italian saltimbocca, Filipino chicken adobo, and Peruvian ceviche. The chapter on grains features abundant rice dishes, from Cuban moros y cristianos (black beans and rice) to South Carolina crab fried rice. Dessert and drink options pull from a similarly wide range of cultural influences. Lakshmi’s instructions are thorough, and she provides both plenty of substitution ideas and step-by-step photo illustrations for trickier dishes. Throughout, profiles of home cooks and professional chefs from immigrant backgrounds add heart. This accomplished collection is a treasure trove. (Nov.)

This review has been updated.