We're impressed by this Colombian cookbook, and not only because books in English are scarce for this subject. Bogota-born Mariana Velasquez, a former restaurant cook and practicing food stylist, does an appealing job of presenting traditional and regional food and drink and revealing a distinctive culinary culture, with an emphasis on ingredients and techniques.

For those of us who have not travelled to Colombia, or dined at the home of Colombian friends, Colombiana reveals fresh ways of combining and using tropical Latin American ingredients. Pureed unripe bananas with poached eggs and herbs for breakfast. Smoky lentils with diced dry-cured chorizo for lunch. Potato soup with corn, chicken, and capers for dinner.

Throughout the book Velasquez provides menus for regional meals, and fills them out with cocktails and desserts. And yes, there are arepas here, along with some distinctive empanadas, both sweet and savory.

Hardcover. Color photographs throughout.