2007_01_17_oldhavana.jpgDear Kitchen,

I am Latina and wanted to check out some South American dishes or Puerto Rican dishes. I went to my local Barnes & Noble and was extremely disappointed with their selection. There were only two books. Uh, I was in total disbelief!


2007_01_17_brazilian.jpgWhere are the cookbooks from other Spanish countries like Venezuela, Panama, Peru, Argentina, Nicaragua, Colombia, Cuba etc.? Does anyone know if such cookbooks even exist?

- Cielo

Cielo,

Thanks for sending in your question. There are many cookbooks covering these regions and I hope our readers can help you find the best ones. Any suggestions?

Chain book stores like Barnes and Noble and Borders are huge, but keep in mind that they do not stock especially large selections of cookbooks. Online bookstores like Powells.com and BarnesandNoble.com have a far broader selection than the bricks and mortar stores.

You can also find some discounts on used cookbooks on Half.com. I found this Old Havana Cookbook for $8.99, and South American Food & Cooking: Ingredients, Techniques and Signature Recipes from the Undiscovered Traditional Cuisines of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Bolivia for $12.21.

Finally, ask Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks, (212) 989-8962, for some help. Slotnick sells out-of-print and rare cookbooks. If you call her shop or stop by if you're in New York City, they are sure to have some suggestions for you.