regional and international

My girlfriend and I love tapas, and love cooking with fresh vegetables from the garden. I got this book hoping to expand our recipe repertoire and find new ways to prepare the spring and summer produce that predominates Mediterranean cooking, like fava beans, tomatoes, eggplant, squash, etc. Little Foods of the Mediterranean did not disappoint.

We've already discovered many new favorites among the abundance of recipes offered in this book. The sidebars and other accompanying notes on Mediterranean food and culture are also fascinating, and the author evenhandedly covers the entire region, with dishes representing Spain, Italy, Greece, the Balkans, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Although I'm not personally that interested in the antipasti or hors d'oeurves sections, and will probably never prepare any of the more exotic recipes (I'll pass on the pan-fried lambs' testicles, thanks), there are so many other good recipes that I can say I find this book indispensible.

This is an absolutely worthwhile cookbook for anyone who enjoys Mediterranean cuisine. I was surprised that another reviewer gave it a low rating because it was not "heart-friendly" enough. It's true that many of the recipes call for dairy products, eggs, or meat, but many of them can be easily adapted with healthier substitutions, and there are numerous healthy vegetarian or vegan recipes if you look for them.

In Little Foods Of The Mediterranean, culinary expert Clifford A. Wright pre-sents and showcases 500 mouth-watering recipes for appetizers and bite-sized servings of all kind, from the rich and diverse culinary tradition of the Mediterranean. Recipes for stuffed vegetables, filled pastries, fried tidbits, kebabs, dips, and many more types of nibble-worthy delights are presented along with fascinating asides about Mediterranean cooking, foods, history, and lore. Little Foods Of The Mediterranean is a magnificent resource -- especially for dishing up morsels to enjoy for ordinary family dining and at special holiday celebrations.

I was placed on The Mediterranean Diet by my physician because I need drastic improvement in my cholesterol levels. If you are looking for ways to get started or for recipies, don't buy this book! Although Mr. Wright seems to have a winning reputation and the book is filled with authentic, flavorful recipies it does not relate to heart-based eating. The ingredients include eggs, full-fat yogurt, cheeses, shellfish such as shrimp, and butter. Choosing and buying this book was my mistake; I just don't you to make the same one! You will find it a complete waste of money if heart-health is your goal. Buy The Mediterranean Heart Diet by Helen V. Fisher instead.