Best Sellers December 2004
 1. A Matter of Taste
Lucy Waverman and James Chatto
Two of Toronto s best food writers have combined forces to present contemporary
menus for almost every imaginable occasion(her efforts) enhanced by inspired
suggestions for accompanying wines and spirits(his efforts). We heartily recommend
the salmon spring rolls with balsamic dipping sauce. Hardcover, 368 pp, $50.00.
2. Feasts
Nigella Lawson
The Yummy Mummy’s fifth book is the best since her first. As in How
to Eat ($63.00,$37.50) this book appeals to both the cook and the reader.
Nigella’s feasts range from a funeral reception to a Passover seder always
using tempting yet simple dishes. Colour photos. Hardcover, 416 pp, $55.00.
3. A Shortbread
Sampler
Mary McGrath
What magic is made in the simple combination of flour, sugar and butter! Everyone
loves shortbread and this little book, written by local author McGrath, includes
50 great recipes. It has been published as a fundraiser for The Fresh Air and
Santa Claus Funds at The Toronto Star, with the proceeds allowing children to
attend summer camp and have a holiday full of gifts. A bestseller for the season
(and the 2002 year)! Please try the Whipped Shortbread on page 26. Softcover,
64 pp. $9.95.
4. Jamie's Dinners
Jamie Oliver TV
What with the wife and two daughters, our Naked Chef is turning his thoughts
to the family kitchen with simple and affordable dishes like farfalle carbonara
and spring peas. Jamie shares his top 10 family meals along with showing how
to vary basic recipes. Colour photos. Hardcover, 322 pp, $49.95.
5. Barefoot in Paris
Ina Garten
The Barefoot Contessa took her show in the road and came back with some of the
most popular French recipes –boeuf bourguignon, endive, pear and Roquefort
salad, and île flottante. Garten’s mini essays, particularly on Patricia
Wells and her cooking school, are a treat. Photos. Hardcover, 240 pp, $50.00.
6. The Gourmet Cookbook
Edited by Ruth Reichl
You will find tomato ketchup and beef Wellington but no cauliflower soup or fruit
cake.Nonetheless Ruth Reichl and her staff sifted through 50,000 recipes published
over six decades to create a culinary portrait of North America. Too bad only
some of the recipes are dated and attributed. Headings written in yellow are
difficult to read Line drawings. Hardcover, 1040 pp, $55.00.
7.
For the Love of Soup
Jeanelle Mitchell
Whether a traditional favourite like turkey barley or a less familiar soup such
as African peanut chicken soup, the methods in this self-published book usually
feature only two steps.Mitchell offers tips for preparing, serving and making
the recipes more healthy.Most of the recipes make 4-6 servings. Line and colour
illustrations. 210pp. $20.00. Recipe: Roasted
Tomato Garlic Soup / PDF.
8. Bouchon
Thomas Keller
If a celebrated chef creates an acclaimed book on his first outing, chances are
the second will fall short. Not so with Thomas Keller (The French Laundry
Cookbook, $70.00). The focus is the simplicity of French bistro cooking
as interpreted by Keller and his executive chef Jeff Cerciello. With recipes
such as croque-madame, sauce mornay, coquilles St. Jacques and blanquette de
veau , this time around it is the ability to select the finest ingredients rather
than knife skills that counts. Extraordinary photos. Hardcover, 341 pp, $69.95.
9. On Food & Cooking: The Science & Lore of the Kitchen Revised
Harold McGee
A fascinating book that explains how and why cooking works, with historical and
literary anecdotes and mind-boggling photos of food taken through an electron
microscope. A true classic for foodies and armchair scientists alike. 684 pages.
$32.50.
10. Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook
Anthony Bourdain
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