Chile expert Coyote Joe (The Sonoran Grill
; A Gringo's Guide to Authentic Mexican Cooking
) pays homage to the beloved spicy vegetable with 100 recipes from the five regions of America's "Chile Belt," which spans from Louisiana to California. He is clearly fired up about chiles, and his enthusiasm is infectious. Head notes and section intros are filled with region-related chile trivia, explaining, for instance, the meaning of etouffée and the history of the margarita. The recipes are a flavorful blend of classics like a Crawfish, Crab, or Shrimp Boil, and Texas Red Chile, and lighter, more surprising employments of chile, such as Sonoran Fruit Kabobs, and Pork, Peppers, and Pineapple Skewers with Sonoran Ponzu. The author also offers drinks to cool the palate, such as Mojitos and a Sonoran Milkshake (which is, essentially, a milkshake with tequila). Many recipes are simple, but some do include long lists of ingredients and require reference to other preparations in the book. Certainly palate-piquing, this book goes beyond the chile to serve as a good primer for Southwestern cuisine in general. (Aug.)
