The Core of an Onion

Peeling the Rarest Common Food—Featuring More Than 100 Historical Recipes

De: Mark Kurlansky

Narrado por: Mark Kurlansky

Bloomsbury presents The Core of an Onion written and read by Mark Kurlansky.

From the New York Times-bestselling author of Cod and Salt, a delectable look at the cultural, historical, and gastronomical layers of one of the world’s most beloved culinary staples—featuring recipes from around the world.

As Julia Child once said, “It is hard to imagine a civilization without onions.”

Historically, she’s been right—and not just in the kitchen. Flourishing in just about every climate and culture around the world, onions have provided the essential basis not only for sautés, stews, and sauces, but for medicines, metaphors, and folklore. Now they're Kurlansky's most flavorful infatuation yet as he sets out to explore how and why the crop reigns from Italy to India and everywhere in between.

Kurlansky begins with the science and history of the only sulfuric acid–spewing plant, then digs through its twenty varieties and the cultures built around them. Entering the kitchen, Kurlansky celebrates the raw, roasted, creamed, marinated, and pickled. Including a recipe section featuring more than one hundred dishes from around the world, The Core of an Onion shares the secrets to celebrated Parisian chef Alain Senderens’s onion soup eaten to cure late-night drunkenness; Hemingway’s raw onion and peanut butter sandwich; and the Gibson, a debonair gin martini garnished with a pickled onion.

Just as the scent of sautéed onions will lure anyone to the kitchen, The Core of an Onion is sure to draw listeners into their savory stories at first taste.

©2023 Mark Kurlansky (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Keen research and editing.

Having read (and listened to) many of MK's books, I have thoroughly enjoyed The Core of an Onion. While I am hoping to see these recipes in print (from my local library's district order), I have committed to memory loads of ideas for my kitchen. The historical significance of MK's heartfelt

Fascinating look at one of the best ingredients

I enjoyed this in-depth exploration of the history and gastronomic significance of the humble onion. Kurlansky’s affection for the topic is evident. This is a delightful audiobook.

Excellent research, hard to listen to

I am a great fan of this author, and of course I am often in favor of an author reading their own work, but Mr Kurlandskys fading voice at his age has caused me to have to hit the repeat button so many times that I have difficulty listening to very many chapters sequentially. I wish the author would have chosen a professional reader with a strong, even voice.

"Peeling Back Layers of Disappointment"

As someone deeply invested in both the culinary and hospitality industries, I was eager to dive into Mark Kurlansky’s “The Core of an Onion.” Because of its subject matter and I wanted to learn more about this essential ingredient. I hoped this book would offer fresh insights and engaging content. Unfortunately, my experience was quite the opposite.

From the outset, the book felt flat. Kurlansky’s exploration of the onion, while seemingly thorough, lacked the dynamic storytelling I had anticipated. The narrative seemed to drag, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the material. The potential for rich, flavorful anecdotes about this staple ingredient was there, but it never quite materialized in a way that captivated me.

To make matters worse, I opted for the audio version, hoping it would bring the content to life during my busy schedule. However, the narration was poorly done, further diminishing my overall experience. The monotone delivery and lack of enthusiasm made it difficult to stay focused, and I often found myself tuning out. I would try thumbing through the pages of the printed book to see if the recipes that were recited add a little more intrigue to the pages.

The author reading his own work sounds bored with own writing

Did not like much. The books COD and SALT were much better written Listening to recipes being read was ridiculous

the narration is HORRENDOUS!

How a voice actor, man! I couldn't finish it. He stumbles over words and you can hear his dentures clicking.