Kaffeehaus: Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Cafés of Vienna, Budapest, and Prague - Hardcover

Rodgers, Rick

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0609604538 ISBN 13: 9780609604533

Publisher: Clarkson Potter, 2002

Synopsis

Transporting readers to three of the most romantic cities in the world, this beautiful book brings to life their old-world charms and architectural gems, and presents 150 impeccable recipes for recreating their legendary cakes and pastries in the home kitchen.

Vienna, Budapest, and Prague have a special hold on our imaginations, conjuring up a sense of timeless elegance, of historical and cultural riches–and of tables laden with the most extraordinary desserts imaginable. Rick Rodgers explores all these treasures in Kaffeehaus, a cook’s tour enhanced with stunning full-color photographs.

Rodgers visits such culinary landmarks as Café Slavia in Prague and Café Sperl in Vienna, sampling apple strudel, the Emperor’s pancakes, hot chocolate, and other classics and gathering the recipes (and secrets) of master bakers. With an attention to detail developed through years of teaching, he explains how to make the perfect accompaniments to a cup of coffee, as well as spectacular endings to elegant meals.

Filled with food facts and lore (from when coffee first came to Vienna to the great Sachertorte controversy), Kaffeehaus is a treat for armchair travelers and cooks alike.

About this title

Review:

Reading Rick Rodgers's Kaffeehaus is like strolling through the streets of three of the world's most romantic cities--Vienna, Budapest, and Prague--where the coffeehouse is the center of the universe and that little something sweet to go with your afternoon cup is considered high art. Eleven chapters on subjects ranging from "Sweet Yeast Breads" to "Strudels" and "Sweet Dumplings and Noodles" cover the gamut of sweets you're likely to find in the classic kaffeehauser. Rodgers provides recipes for such legendary treats as chocolaty Sachertorte, flaky Sour Cherry Strudel, sugar-dusted Banana Gugelhupf, jam-filled Linzertorte, and rustic but soul-satisfying squares of Plum Cake.

A renowned cooking instructor and cookbook author, Rodgers has developed the patient voice and attentiveness the job requires, and these qualities shine through in his inviting recipes. Though the book focuses exclusively on the impressive desserts found in coffeehouses, rather than those that are home-baked, Rodgers has developed recipes accessible enough for recreating such scrumptious treats in any home kitchen. Filled with culinary lore--from the scandalous story of Rigo Jansci, the handsome gypsy violinist who lured an American millionairess to leave her husband for a passionate affair and inspired the sinful chocolate dessert that now bears his name, to the great Sachertorte controversy that gripped Vienna in the 1830s--Kaffeehaus is a treat for armchair travelers and adventurous bakers alike. --Robin Donovan

From the Author:

Because of questions I am receiving on my website, I would like to make some things clear about this KAFFEEHAUS reprint. The 2014 version on this page has an updated cafe guide in the back matter, but no new recipes. I have also provided a complete metric measurements chart (not the usual fairly useless one with 28 g = 1 oz) with weights for uncommon ingredients like ground almonds. The Echo Point edition (with the black cover) is brand-new and freshly printed. The Clarkson Potter 2002 edition (with Esterhazytorte slice on the cover) has been out of print for about 3 years, so purchases from that book's page are all used copies, and condition is anyone's guess. So, for gift-giving a clean, fresh copy, I recommend this 2014 edition. But be advised that there are not any new recipes, and that it is essentially a pure reprint. Thanks!

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarkson Potter
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0609604538
• ISBN 13: 9780609604533
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248