Jeff Koehler - Böcker

In winter of 1912, Henri Matisse—forty-two, nearing mid-career, and yet to find lasting critical acceptance, public admiration, or financial security since exploding to the forefront of the avant-garde in 1905 with his iconoclastic Fauve paintings—was struggling. Once the vanguard leader, the Parisian avant-garde now considered him passé. His important early collectors, including Gertrude and Leo Stein, had stopped buying his work and were fully championing Picasso, and he had exhibited little in the last few years. In the face of Cubism that was now dominating the art scene, Matisse needed to get away from Paris in order to advance his distinctive artistic vision.Almost on a whim, he went to Tangier. Matisse had already been profoundly inspired by Islamic art, and was primed for his arrival in the Moroccan city where such art was integrated into everyday life. Despite the challenges of rain, insomnia, depression, and finding models, the sojourn was such a success he returned the following winter, which would lead to even greater artistic triumph.Matisse in Morocco tells the story of the artist's groundbreaking time in Tangier and how it altered Matisse’s development as a painter and indelibly marked his work for the next four decades. Through Koehler's research and travel, we experience Matisse's time in Tangier, the paintings and their subjects, his relationships with his wife Amélie and his two important collectiors, and then come to understand the impact Morocco—its light, colors, culture, and artistic traditions—had on his art. From Landscape Viewed From a Window, to Zorah on the Terrace, from Kasbah Gate to the dream-like tableau Moroccan Café, these works from Morocco are now recognized as some of the most significant and dazzling of Matisse’s illustrious career.

The most famous dish of the hottest cuisine in town right now, paella is as flavorful as it is festive. Longtime Barcelona resident and Spanish food expert Jeff Koehler fills us in on this cherished rice dish, from its origins to just what it takes to make the perfect one (even without an authentic paella pan). Thirty recipes range from the original paella valenciana , studded with chicken and rabbit, to his mother-in-law's Saturday shellfish special, to sumptuous vegetarian variations, to surprising soups and sweet takes. Stunning scenic photographs, shots of the finished dishes, plus a source list of unusual ingredients and special equipment round out this gorgeous homage to one of Spain's national culinary treasures.

_______________'Koehler ... has the polymath’s curiosity for everything, as well as the writer’s ability to listen to and retell a good story … A richly digressive book' - Nicholas Lezard, Guardian'This exhaustively researched and eminently readable book will delight foodies, history buffs and armchair travelers alike' - Seattle Times'Koehler has the knack of a good storyteller who has found a great story to tell' - South China Morning Post_______________WINNER OF THE IACP AWARD FOR LITERARY FOOD WRITINGSet against the backdrop of the looming Himalayas and drenching monsoons, this is the story of how Darjeeling developed its tea industry under Imperial British rule and eventually came to produce the world's finest leaves. But today the industry is battling dropping production ,a violent struggle for independent statehood, labour unrest and the devastating effect of climate change. It's the story, too, of the measures being taken to counter these challenges and save India's most exclusive and iconic brew that are nothing short of radical.A fascinating portrait of the region and a story rich in intrigue and empire, full of adventurers and romance, it illuminates the historic, arcane and changing world of this celebrated tea._______________'His prose is both sensory and balletic' - Chicago Tribune'The history of this elixir turns out to be fascinating' - Geographical'The perfect present for a tea toper' - Oldie'It makes you want to sip a perfectly brewed cup and so makes your life better' - Mark Kurlansky, author of Cod, Salt and The Big Oyster

‘This cookbook is a must for a deep dive into North African classic and regional dishes.’ – Warda Bouguettaya, James Beard award-winning pastry chef and owner of Warda Patisserie, Detroit‘An unprecedented and remarkable dive in the fabulously rich and diverse culinary heritage of North Africa (which goes far beyond the beloved clichés of couscous and tagines).’ – Mohamed El Baroudi, Moroccan tea expert and gastronome, Academy Chair of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants for North and West Africa ‘A thorough, investigative journey through the food of the Maghreb, full of comforting and inviting recipes.’ – Yotam Ottolenghi, chef, restaurateur and food writer‘If you're interested in the vibrant food of North Africa, this book is absolutely essential. Smart and beautifully written, it is filled with wonderful recipes you'll want to cook.’ – Ruth Reichl, bestselling author and food writerA collection of 445 exciting and accessible recipes that celebrate North Africa’s vibrant and diverse food cultureExtensively researched and twenty years in the making, The North African Cookbook is the largest collection of traditional North African recipes for home cooks.Focusing on the Maghreb region – Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya – The North African Cookbook explores the territory’s vast culinary diversity and history. From Berber, Arabic, and Ottoman influences as well as French, Spanish, and Italian, this cookbook offers a comprehensive overview of how native, as well as European colonialism, influenced the region's traditions today.A wide network of culinary voices from across North Africa guided the project. In a region so vast and so diverse, James Beard award-winning food writer Jeff Koehler looked to many hundreds of experts and locals. Following two decades of travel across North Africa and a career spent writing in depth about the region and its food, Koehler’s extensively researched collection is an exhaustive look at traditional recipes across the Maghreb.Filled with delicious and authentic North African dishes that can easily be recreated at home, this treasure trove of a book brings to life an exciting cuisine that is as varied and fascinating as the countries it covers.

Featured in   Associated Press,   Waitrose Weekend, National Geographic Traveler, and   The Seattle Times Explore the diverse cuisine of Spain’s Balearic Islands – Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera – through 155 authentic home cooking recipes.Located off the Spanish Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands are renowned for their natural beauty, yet their cuisine has been largely underappreciated. This evocative recipe collection transports readers to the family kitchens, cafes, and markets of the archipelago, revealing a distinct culinary heritage shaped by the region’s geography.The islands’ most beloved dishes celebrate local produce, familiar Mediterranean ingredients – olive oil and garlic, rice and fresh fish – and resourceful cooking methods passed down for generations. From Menorcan-Style Stuffed Eggplant, Baked Fish with Spinach and Swiss Chard, Black Rice with Cuttlefish and Artichokes, and Pork with Wild Mushrooms to Baked Figs, Almond Cookies, and Formentera’s most famous dessert, Fresh Cheesecake with Mint, the book’s recipes include both sweet and savory classics.Alongside the bounty of delicious dishes, acclaimed author Jeff Koehler presents vivid short essays highlighting culinary traditions, such as weekly village markets and St Martin’s Day festivities; local ingredients, including cured sausages and tomato preserves; and essential techniques, such as preparing a perfect sofregit. Illustrated with gorgeous photography of the food and local landscapes, The Spanish Mediterranean Islands Cookbook captures the essence of one of the world’s most enchanting destinations.