Page 18 - Boca Exposure - August '23

Page 18, Boca Exposure
Book Review

Foods That Made History: added.” When tomatoes Careme (1784 to 1833). “His entire life was dedicated
The Big Names Behind The were brought over from to ‘la grande cuisine.’ Every moment of his waking time
was spent on improving existing recipes and methods
the New World they
World’s Favorite Dishes were considered to be of preparing food, and on developing a new generation
poisonous and were used of French chefs. With respect to souffles (whether sweet
By Nils A. Shapiro only as houseplants, or savory), Careme was constantly improvising and
Some of the most except by poor people who innovating. Occasionally, he would flavor a souffle with
fascinating books I have eventually began to eat the any wine or liqueur he thought might improve it. When he
reviewed over the years vegetable and found it to decided, one day, to season a souffle with a clear liqueur in
have been on the subject be edible. Around 1889, whose body shimmered innumerable minute flakes of gold
of food –Salt, Consider the “Queen Margarita of Italy leaf, it seemed only natural to him to dedicate the recipe
Fork and The Secret History – who was on vacation in to the wealthy Rothschild banking family, in the kitchen of
of Food, just to mention a Naples with her husband, whose Paris residence he worked for several years.”
few – so when I discovered King Umberto I and the And so was born Souffle Rothschild –“A very rich
this title on the list of new royal court – expressed dessert.”
publications it attracted an interest in tasting some of the local foods. A local One of the ingredients in the recipe, notes the author,
my attention … and I am pizzaiolo, or pizza maker, named Raffaele Esposito, was is Danziger Goldwasser, a liqueur that continues to be
delighted that it did. summoned to the palace. His pizzeria was considered to made to this day, which contains flakes of gold leaf and is
This just released addition to the genre, by author Rafael be the best in Naples. In response to the Royal summons, flavored usually with anise or orange.
Agam – a notable chef who studied at Le Cordon Bleu Esposito loaded his donkey with dough and other We have barely touched upon three of the background
in Paris, has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and materials, and made his way to the palace. stories here; there are 50 more. Imagine how interesting
now owns the successful Voila Swiss-French restaurant in Esposito made three different pizzas. One in particular you will be at any dinner gathering, tossing off tidbits of
Israel – offers in one convenient paperback volume a buffet caught the queen’s fancy. historic food facts after you have digested Chef Agam’s
menu of gastronomical history, delicious entertainment “This particular pizza was a felicitous combination eight-course, 345-page treat. Or being able to serve up any
and practical, useful recipes that will more than satisfy of fine flavor and patriotic sentiment, for its colors were of these original classic recipes at your own party.
the literary appetite of any foodie reader. those of the recently adopted flag of the united (well, almost *****
Chef Agam’s purpose in putting together this book is united) Kingdom of Italy: Red (slices of tomato), white Note: The author, Chef Agam, has concocted a
made clear in his introduction: (mozzarella cheese, made from buffalo’s milk) and green wonderfully tasty recipe for his book, one that as a reader
“Historians of the past tended to focus on subjects more (fresh leaves of basil). The Queen was captivated by this I greedily devoured. But as an editor I could not help but
‘important’ than food – war, famine, plague, navigation, dish, and it was immediately named after her. From that notice a number of grammatical errors in the form of too
and the discovery of new continents. They didn’t bother day forward, ‘Pizza Margarita’ was the flagship dish on the many commas where they were not needed. And he refers
much with recording the history of fine eating. Subjects menu of Esposito’s pizzeria…and eventually, this simple to a pizza as Margherita in the chapter heading, then spells
such as the international trade in spices, or the discovery dish of humble but ancient origins … made its way, in one the name of the Italian queen as Margarita. Apparently,
of the New World and its treasury of fresh culinary delights, form or another, to all four corners of the earth.” Agam could have used a final editing of his manuscript.
might receive a certain amount of attention from historians, A final nibble of an example from the book will have But unless you are the kind of guest who would complain
but out of thousands of years of glorious feasts, dedicated to suffice. about one burnt biscuit in an otherwise sumptuous banquet,
chefs, and revolutionary new dishes – not a great deal of One of the greatest chefs in all of history was Antoine don’t let this deprive you of his literary feast.
solid information has come down to us.”
Agam has set about correcting that by revealing the Delray Medical Center Unveils First
fascinating stories behind the origins of 53 of history’s
most famous foods, organized into eight categories: First
Pizza and Pasta, Salads and Side Dishes, Pastries and Floor Tower Expansion
Courses, Two-Legged, Four-Legged, Fish and Seafood,
Desserts, and Beverages. Many black-and-white line
drawings are sprinkled throughout the text. Delray Medical Center
Included among the vast array of 53 foods – there is announces a procedural
space here to name just a few – are such famous dishes suite expansion project
as Eggs Benedict, Chicken General Tso, Beef Wellington, on its first floor surgical
Schnitzel Holstein, Oysters Rockefeller, Lobster Newberg, tower, aimed at enhancing
Pizza Margherita, Fettuccine Alfredo, Waldorf Salad, Crab capabilities and elevating
Louie, Tarte Tatin, Crepes Suzette, Earl Grey Tea, Kir and the patient experience.
Kir Royal. Perhaps less familiar, but equally interesting, With a total investment
are such names as Soupe Parmentier, Chicken Tetrazzini, of approximately $13
Sole Murat, Pavlova, Sachertorte, the Bellini cocktail … million, the expansion
and so many more. encompasses three
(A note of caution: If you plan to try any of the recipes, cutting-edge operating
be aware that Agam uses European measurements – grams, rooms, private prep and
kilograms (kg) and milliliters (ml)—instead of pounds and recovery rooms, a state-
ounces when listing the ingredients, so you will need to of-the-art endoscopy
be prepared for converting them to ounces, pounds, etc. suite, a designated
As for the rest, the chef does refer to cups, tablespoons, post-anesthesia care
teaspoons, etc., just as in American recipes.) unit (PACU), and the
But even if, like me, your cooking skills are limited to introduction of a third CT
popping frozen meals into a microwave – fortunately, my scanner. environment for patients to prepare for their procedures, while
beautiful wife, Linda, is not only a fine artist and jewelry This expansion project at Delray Medical Center signifies the PACU ensures seamless care and monitoring following
designer, but also a kitchen wizard – there is much to be a significant leap forward in delivering exceptional surgical surgery. Every effort has been made to create an environment
savored between the covers of this book. While each of care, prioritizing outpatient services, and facilitating quick, that prioritizes patient well-being and ease of access.
the more than half a hundred background histories takes minimally invasive procedures. Initially, the expanded “We are excited to commence patient treatments in our
up several pages, here are just a few teaser highlights to facilities will offer services in urology, gastrointestinal expanded first floor tower starting May 22nd,” added Listi.
serve as a hint of what awaits you in its pages. (GI), and general surgery, with future plans to incorporate “This expansion will enable us to deliver a wider range of
Giuseppe Cipriani opened his famous Harry’s Bar orthopedics. This ambulatory surgery center model is designed surgical services, catering to the unique needs of each patient,
restaurant in Venice in 1931. A great exhibition of the to streamline processes and ensure patients receive efficient, and further solidify Delray Medical Center’s position as a
works of the Venetian painter Vittore Carpaccio (1472 high-quality care. leading healthcare institution in our community.”
to 1526) was held in Venice in 1950. At that time, “One “The expansion of our first-floor tower marks a About Delray Medical Center
of the restaurant’s regular patrons was the beautiful milestone for Delray Medical Center and demonstrates Delray Medical Center, part of the Palm Beach Health
Countess Amalia Nani Mocenigo. She had been advised our commitment to providing the best possible care to our Network, is a 536-bed acute care hospital, spanning 30
by her doctor not to eat cooked meat for a few weeks, patients,” said Daniel Listi, CEO of Delray Medical Center. acres, employing over 1,700 employees, 700 physicians,
and asked Cipriani to prepare her a dish according to the “By investing in state-of-the-art technology and dedicated serving southern Palm Beach County for over 40 years.
doctor’s orders. Cipriani had just been to the exhibition of facilities, we are enhancing the patient experience, reducing As both a community hospital and state-designated Level
paintings and was overwhelmed with the marvelous variety wait times, and improving surgical outcomes.” I Trauma Center Delray Medical Center offers several
of shades of red that he had seen in Carpaccio’s paintings. The three new operating rooms are equipped with specialized services including state-of-the art cardiac and
The dish he prepared for the countess, from thin slices of the latest advancements in surgical technology, allowing vascular facilities, orthopedics, neurosciences, emergency
raw beef interwoven with a pale mustard sauce, reminded surgeons to perform procedures with unparalleled care, and weight-loss surgery.
him irresistibly of these splendid colors, and he named it precision and efficiency. Additionally, the addition Pinecrest Rehabilitation and Outpatient Hospital at
‘Carpaccio’ in their honor.” of the most advanced CT scanner available further Delray Medical Center is the only state designated brain
The Etruscans, a people who dominated Northern enhances Delray Medical Center’s diagnostic capabilities, and spinal cord injury rehabilitation program in the county
Italy before the rise of Rome, were fond of eating a kind especially in cardiac imaging, ensuring accurate, timely and by the State of Florida. Delray Medical Center is also home
of flat bread, embellished with a variety of additives and comprehensive diagnoses. to Fair Oaks Pavilion, a 53-bed adult psychiatry unit. For
flavorings … The name ‘pizza’ may be derived from the The expansion also emphasizes patient comfort and more information about our services, visit our website at
Latin word picea, which describes the browning of the privacy. The private pre-operative rooms provide a tranquil www.delraymedicalctr.com.
dough in the oven … The flat bread was sold as street food
in Italy for many centuries before cheese was eventually Paid Advertisement