Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelsson Roundup

Welcome to the roundup of posts for the latest Cook the Books selection, Marcus Samuelsson's memoir, "Yes, Chef". It was a book about the extraordinary life that the restaurateur and chef has led so far and which has taken him to many countries around the world. I thought I would arrange the roundup of contributors' posts according to the different stages of Samuelsson's life that he described in this memoir.

I - Ethiopia

Our author began life in a small Ethiopian village. Sadly, his mother died from tuberculosis after trekking with him and his older sister to a hospital in the capital city of Adis Ababa.

Foodycat's Injera, Doro Wat and Lentil Salad made one Yes, Chef-inspired meal and then later she used some injera batter to make little injeras topped with creme fraiche and salmon roe with a nod to Samuelsson's Swedish heritage.

Deb at Eliot Eats, one of the four Cook the Books cohosts in the rotation, made several dishes for an Ethiopian Feast based on a restaurant meal they enjoyed on a recent trip to Denver.

Terri joins us for the first time here at Cook the Books, writing from her blog Our Good Life. Terri contributed an Omelet with Berbere seasoning, an Ethiopian seasoning blend that she used for the first time.

Vicki blogs at I'd Rather Be Reading at the Beach and also joins Cook the Books for the first time. She made one of Samuelsson's recipes, a West African Chicken and Peanut Stew.

Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm made a tasty dinner of Injera and Msriat.

II - Sweden

Marcus and his older sister were adopted by a Swedish couple and grew up in a much different culture, playing soccer, helping Mormor cook the weekly family meals and helping his Dad catch fish.

Simona of Briciole, a Cook the Books cohost, liked the passages about catching fish and made a batch of  Kokoda, an eye-catching marinated raw fish salad.

Blogging from Hawai'i at Kahakai Kitchen, another of my wonderful Cook the Books cohosts, Deb, drew on her own Swedish heritage to produce a luscious looking That's A Good Life Smorga - a smoked fish sandwich with homemade pickled cucumbers.

III - European Hotels and Restaurants

After studying food preparation in high school and at a local restaurant in Sweden, Samuelsson struck out for Austria and Switzerland and apprenticed in several fine dining establishments.

Amy's Cooking Adventures was inspired to tackle these lovely Classic French Croissants.

Cathy at Delaware Girl Eats paid homage to Chef Samuelsson's achievements in these highly demanding hotel and restaurant kitchens by making a Peach Nectarine Tart.

IV - Chasing the Flavors in New York City

Samuelsson moved to New York City and rose to be head chef at Aquavit, before setting out on his own with his Red Rooster Cafe.

Claudia of Honey in the Rock was inspired by Chef's description of exploring Puerto Rican cuisine, and whipped up a savory Pork Mofongo.

Over at my blog, The Crispy Cook, I layered on some more flavors to the Grilled Whole Chicken recipe that my husband and I have been tinkering with all barbeque season.

Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla was inspired to chase some flavors around with her Bourbon-Pecan Pralines.

Please consider joining us as we read and cook from our next book selection, The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard Morais. This next round will be hosted by Deb of Kahakai Kitchen and entries are due November 30th. There is also a tie-in with Food n' Flix, to watch and cook from the film version of this book, starring the divine Ms. Helen Mirren.