Book Review: ‘The Condiment Book’ by Claire Dinhut

Book Review: ‘The Condiment Book’ by Claire Dinhut
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Updated 19 December 2024
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Book Review: ‘The Condiment Book’ by Claire Dinhut

Book Review: ‘The Condiment Book’ by Claire Dinhut

When presented with a plate of piping hot French fries, what condiment do you reach for to slather, drizzle or dip into?

If you’ve ever wondered about your choice, there is a new book that will speak to your soul.

“The Condiment Book,” published late 2024, is a comprehensive guide celebrating the unsung heroes and supporting stars of our meals.

From timeless staples like ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard and butter (in their various iterations) to more adventurous hot sauces, ferments, pickles, dressings, oils and dips, the book explores the myriad ways in which condiments enhance our everyday dining. Add a little squeeze, a giant dollop or a sprinkling and it completely changes the whole meal and your experience.

Packed with recipes, flavor pairings and historical insights in an Instagrammable-ready format, each page is a love letter to a condiment.

Author Claire Dinhut, better known as “Condiment Claire,” describes herself as not a chef but a “flavor adventurer.” She has built a loyal following with her engaging content, particularly on TikTok, where she taste-tests and rates everything from jams to butters.

“This book is about curiosity,” she writes. “What excites our taste buds? How can we evoke feelings with every bite? How can we travel the world while sitting at a table?”

Dinhut begins by addressing the fundamental question: What is a condiment? She explains how the term originates from the Latin “condire,” meaning “to preserve, pickle, season, spice, render pleasant or enhance flavor.” In ancient Rome, a “condominium” referred to any sauce — an addition not strictly necessary but which always elevated the dish.

However, she clarifies: “This is not a cookbook. Instead, think of this book as a flavor manual.”

While it includes recipes for homemade condiments, Dinhut reassures readers that store-bought is perfectly fine. In her words, the book serves as a “personal diary of fun eats to tantalize our taste buds and keep life exciting.”

And it is does not simply provide a sprinkling of recipes; it delivers historical gems, too.

For instance, did you know the first ketchup had a fishy story? Originating in Hokkien Chinese as “ke-tsiap,” the original version was likely made from fermented fish. It was not until 1812 in the US that tomato ketchup as we know it made its debut.

Dinhut’s non-cookbook is an invitation to embrace curiosity, creativity, and flavor in every bite and is itself a complementary condiment for your collection of recipe books.


REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox
Updated 24 February 2025
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REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

LONDON: After years of being a PC favorite, “Starbound” finally launched on Xbox in October 2024, bringing its expansive sandbox adventure to a new audience.

With a follow-up quality-of-life update in December and a further boost by joining Xbox Game Pass in January, “Starbound” has the potential to reach more players than ever before. So, does this indie classic translate well to console gaming, or is it still best experienced on PC?

At its core, “Starbound” is a sandbox exploration game that lets players carve out their own journey among the stars. You begin by selecting a species (purely cosmetic in nature), escape from a doomed planet, and set off on an intergalactic adventure where you build, craft, explore and fight for survival. Unlike many crafting-based games, “Starbound” is not a grind-heavy experience; instead, it encourages creativity and discovery, providing an incredibly deep crafting system without forcing players into repetitive mechanics.

The game’s world is procedurally generated, meaning you will never run out of planets to visit. Each world has its own biomes, wildlife, and secrets to uncover. Some planets feel hospitable and lush, while others are barren and harsh, requiring players to adapt and prepare before diving into the unknown.

While “Starbound” features a central story involving the mysterious gate unlocked with Core Fragments, it does not force a linear progression — players are free to explore, build, and conquer at their own pace.

Despite its simple, pixel-art aesthetic, “Starbound” hides a surprising amount of complexity beneath the surface. Its crafting system is one of the deepest in the genre, allowing players to build everything from cozy homes to high-tech colonies. However, new players might find the initial learning curve steep. Navigation, especially on a controller, takes some getting used to, and the depth of options can feel overwhelming at first. That said, starting on Casual mode is highly recommended for beginners, because it removes some of the harsher survival elements and allows players to focus on exploration.

Combat in “Starbound” is an interesting mix of melee and ranged attacks, combined with energy management. Different weapons and abilities change the flow of combat, making it varied and engaging, although the game is not primarily focused on combat mechanics. Instead, survival and creativity take center stage.

Despite its simple, pixel-art aesthetic, “Starbound” hides a surprising amount of complexity beneath the surface. (Supplied)

While “Starbound” has made a mostly smooth transition to Xbox, it is clear that the game still feels as if it was designed primarily for PC. The user interface and navigation are not as intuitive with a controller as they are with a mouse and keyboard, making some menu-heavy interactions feel cumbersome. However, once you get used to the controls, the experience is still rewarding.

“Starbound” on Xbox is a welcome addition to the console’s indie lineup, offering a massive sandbox experience with nearly endless replayability. While the game’s PC origins are evident, patient players will find a rewarding and immersive world to explore.

If you enjoy sandbox crafting games and do not mind a bit of a learning curve, “Starbound” is well worth a try — especially now that it is on Game Pass.


What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm

What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm
Updated 23 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm

What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm

The current rise of nationalism across the globe is a reminder that we are not, after all, living in a borderless world of virtual connectivity.

In “Nationalism,” historian Eric Storm sheds light on contemporary nationalist movements by exploring the global evolution of nationalism, beginning with the rise of the nation-state in the 18th century through the revival of nationalist ideas in the present day.


What We Are Reading Today: Buried Treasures

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Updated 22 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: Buried Treasures

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  • In “Buried Treasures,” Zipes describes his special passion for uncovering political fairy tales of the 19th and 20th centuries

Author: JACK ZIPES

Jack Zipes has spent decades as a “scholarly scavenger,” discovering forgotten fairy tales in libraries, flea markets, used bookstores, and internet searches, and he has introduced countless readers to these remarkable works and their authors.

In “Buried Treasures,” Zipes describes his special passion for uncovering political fairy tales of the 19th and 20th centuries, offers fascinating profiles of more than a dozen of their writers and illustrators, and shows why they deserve greater attention and appreciation.

 

 


What We Are Reading Today: Republics of Knowledge

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Updated 21 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: Republics of Knowledge

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  • Miller identifies how public exchange of ideas affected policymaking, the emergence of a collective identity, and more

Author: Nicola Miller

The rise of nation-states is a hallmark of the modern age, yet we are still untangling how the phenomenon unfolded across the globe.

Here, Nicola Miller offers new insights into the process of nation-making through an account of 19th-century Latin America, where, she argues, the identity of nascent republics was molded through previously underappreciated means: the creation and sharing of knowledge.

Drawing evidence from Argentina, Chile, and Peru, Republics of Knowledge traces the histories of these countries from the early 1800s, as they gained independence, to their centennial celebrations in the 20th century. Miller identifies how public exchange of ideas affected policymaking, the emergence of a collective identity, and more.

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Climate Dynamics’ by Kerry H. Cook

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Climate Dynamics’ by Kerry H. Cook
Updated 20 February 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Climate Dynamics’ by Kerry H. Cook

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Climate Dynamics’ by Kerry H. Cook

“Climate Dynamics” provides an essential foundation in the physical understanding of Earth’s climate system.

Assuming no previous introduction to the climate system, the book is designed for all science, math, and engineering students at the advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate levels.

This second edition includes updated and expanded information on hydrology, the cryosphere, observed contemporary climate change, and climate prediction.

 In addition, the illustrations are expanded and now in full color.