With fewer options for eating out and the holiday season approaching, there is no better time than now to consult our newest databases: AtoZ Food America and AtoZ World Food.
AtoZ Food America
The AtoZ Food America database offers a full listing of recipes and food cultures, which you can browse by state, region, and ethnic group. Have an ingredient you would like to know more about? Check out the full listing of ingredient facts and recipes. Not sure how to use it in a new recipe? Try the Reference section for a video dictionary, cooking conversions, and fun food facts. (For example, did you know stressed spelled backwards is desserts?)
AtoZ World Food
AtoZ World Food offers recipes from every culture and region you could hope to explore. Dig into the cultural influences and history of food from around the globe, from national cuisines to regional and more classic dishes. It's a great way to travel the world of cuisines from the comfort of your own kitchen.
More than just food
Need more reasons to give these resources a try?
- Both databases also cover beer, wine, coffee, and tea.
- Both include a full glossary, historical timeline, quotes, and stats on consumption and production, which are helpful for trivia night and impressing your friends and family over the holidays.
- Both offer full translations in 108 different languages.
- Both work great on a smartphone or tablet, so you can easily access recipes at your kitchen counter.
Put these databases to the test for our new monthly program Exploring Spices on October 25. Participants pick up the spice of the month (October is Chinese Five Spice), then use it in any dish and meet over Zoom to share results and experiences.
However you use these databases, we hope they expand your palate and broaden your cultural and culinary knowledge. If you have any questions or need some help using them, contact the Info Desk at info@mgpl.org or 847-965-4220.
Marlene Mark is an Adult Services Librarian at Morton Grove Public Library.