Book excerpt: The only book widely available on Estonian food and cooking, 'Estonian Tastes and Traditions' completes Hippocrene's coverage of the cuisines of the Baltic region. Estonian food is simple, based on such staples as potatoes, pork, sauerkraut, preserved fish, and dark bread. This comprehensive volume contains 165 traditional recipes for such dishes as Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage (Magushapu Punane Kapsas), Beer Soup (Õllesupp), and Honey Candy (Meekompvekid). Chapters covering basics such as meats, vegetables, and breads are supplemented with chapters on turnovers, pancakes, and preserves. Also included is extensive cultural and historical information and an Estonian-English food glossary.