Gift Idea: Scoop Dinnerware by Rosenthal
Part of Rosenthal's A La Carte collection, these beautiful scoop-design plates are great for mixing with existing china. And their possibilities are endless. The smallest ones make ideal dip holders, while the larger ones can be used for saucy braises or even as bread baskets. All are good for salads and desserts. $175 per three-piece set through www.waterfordwedgwood.com.
Gift Idea: Handpresso Portable Espresso Maker
I will never have to suffer terrible coffee again thanks to this portable espresso maker. All you need is hot water and espresso pods, which are available in most supermarkets. You don't even need electricity--this little pump-action gadget does it all on its own. $189.95 at Degrees Kitchen Store.
Lidia?s Italy by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali
In concert with PBS, much-loved Italian food expert Lidia Bastianich and her art historian daughter guide us on an art-laced culinary tour of Italy. Lidia's Italy begins in the northeast with her home region of Istria, now part of Croatia, where sauerkraut with pork is one of the hearty signature dishes. In contrast, across the country in the northwest, Piemonte is truffle mad. Organization is everything in this book. Not only is there the usual alphabetical index in the back, in the front of the book recipes are listed by course. In addition recipes are listed at the beginning of each region. Colour photos. Hardcover, 364pp, $44.00
Reviewed by Jennifer Grange
Great Food Fast From the Kitchens of Martha Stewart Living
One should take a moment to remember that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the publication of Martha Stewart's first book, Entertaining, ($34.95tr). She is still, after all these years and a spot of trouble, at the top of her game. This book, at the other end of the opulence scale from her first book, is the first collection of recipes from the digest-sized Everyday Food. Simple recipes roasted salmon with lemon relish, steak and onion sandwiches, mushroom tartin a clean format, each with a colour photo help make getting dinner on the table a snap. Colour photos.Paper, 384pp, $30.00
Reviewed by Jennifer Grange
Cookbook Review: Alice Waters and Chez Panisse by Tom McNamee
Even authorized biographies can make headlines The shock horror here is the revelation that some of Chez Panisses's early cash infusions came via freelance pharmaceutical sales, albeit the hippy variety rather than South American cartels. The transformation from wide-eyed student arriving in France with little knowledge of food to a restaurateur who changed the way Americans view food makes for fascinating reading. Now that we have Alice's version of the life and times of Chez Panisse as well as Jeremiah Tower's rather hissier take on the matter (California Dish, $20), we probably need a third view from a neutral party for the true picture. Black and white photos. Hardcover, 380pp, $35.00
Reviewed by Jennifer Grange