Arranged by courses, antipasti through formaggi and dolci (cheese and sweets), the uncomplicated dishes include Sicilian Macaroni with Eggplant, Vermicelli with Olive-Oil and Anchovies, Cucumbers "Alla Toscana", and Fried Squash, Parsnips, Celery, and Mushrooms. Gorgonzola with Spiced Walnuts and Port Wine Syrup with fresh fruit would make a lovely conclusion to any dinner. Antonia Isola's reliance on the best ingredients simply prepared, rather than on fussy restaurant techniques, places her dishes squarely in the realm of home cooks. This gastronomic guide contains more than 100 elegant but simple recipes, from antipasti to first and second courses, from breads and cheeses to sauces and salads. But this is more than a guide to creating elegant dinners. It is an immensely useful and practical guide for contemporary hosts--with recipes that take a minimal amount of time and preparation.

Any single food containing all the elements necessary to supply the requirements of the body is called a complete or typical food. Milk and eggs are frequently so called, because they sustain the young animals of their kind during a period of rapid growth. Nevertheless, neither of these foods forms a perfect diet for the human adult. Both are highly nutritious, but incomplete. Served with bread or rice, they form an admirable meal and one that is nutritious and easily digested. The white of eggs, almost pure albumin, is nutritious, and, when cooked in water at 170 degrees Fahrenheit, requires less time for perfect digestion than a raw egg...

The recipes in this little book have been sent by Belgian refugees from all parts of the United Kingdom, and it is through the kindness of these correspondents that I have been able to compile it. It is thought, also, that British cooking may benefit by the study of Belgian dishes. The perfect cook, like Mrs. 'Arris or the fourth dimension, is often heard of, but never actually found, so this small manual is offered for the use of the work-a-day and inexperienced mistress and maid. It is not written in the interests of millionaires. The recipes are simple, and most inexpensive, rather for persons of moderate means than for those who can follow the famous directions for a certain savory: "Take a leg of mutton," etc. A shelf of provisions should be valued, like love-making, not only for itself but for what it may become.

The giddy joy that comes with picking up this tribute to outdoor cooking is comparable to the adolescent thrill of sneaking a naughty magazine into the garage. Not only does every conceivable meat, fish and fowl get its turn over the coals, there is a whole Barbecued Cabbage stuffed with bacon and onion and even a grilled Crème Brûlée. Raichlen focuses on creative techniques, employing everything from butcher's string and bricks wrapped in foil to inserting a half-full can of beer into the cavity of a chicken: when placed on the grill it simultaneously steams the bird and holds it upright, allowing the skin to grow crisp. Indeed, Raichlen's (Miami Spice; High-Flavor Low-Fat Cooking) approach is anything but shy. However, to limit the book to a manageable size, Raichlen presents just one or two recipes for each cut of meat or type of seafood. Thus a single lamb is chopped into a new-world-order menu of Rack of Lamb Marrakech, Sichuan-Spiced Loin Lamb Chops and Leg of Lamb Proven‡al. Throughout, every recipe is made foolproof with step-by-step instructions and, happily, a photo accompanies every one of the steps. While none could be considered a full-fledged centerfold, it is impossible not to gaze upon them and lust. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc

One bad carbohydrate can't spoil the whole batch, but studies show that too many of the "wrong kinds" can lead to a slew of nasty health conditions, including obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Sandra Woodruff, author of several bestsellers (including Secrets of Fat-Free Cooking and Secrets of Cooking for a Long Life) goes far beyond the realm of breads and pastas to offer a comprehensive look at nutrition, followed by a trove of carbo-smart recipes. Healthy eating, Woodruff asserts, requires keen attention to the glycemic index (GI), "a ranking of foods based on their potential to raise blood sugar levels." By choosing foods that rank low on the GI, and balancing higher GI foods with protein, she says, individuals will achieve better overall health. While the first section reads a bit like a college text (heavy with charts, grams, and serving sizes, plus all the numbers associated with the glycemic index), Woodruff gracefully applies this knowledge to real-life scenarios. Her meal-planning and dining-out tips accommodate a wide variety of eating habits and cuisines, with ample hints for hearty eaters, snackers, sweet-tooth sufferers, and those who enjoy international fare. More than 200 recipes include options for vegetarians, meat-and-potato types, adventurous chefs, and keep-it-simple cooks, without calling attention to any such stereotype. Two minor beefs: teaspoon and tablespoon appear in their unabbreviated forms, potentially making for easy errors; also, a fancy typeface makes reading the ingredients somewhat tricky. --Liane Thomas

Steven Raichlen, whose name needs no introduction to fans of The Barbecue! Bible, has spent years tasting the best barbecue the world has to offer. This global exposure is deliciously evident in his newest "bible," Barbecue! Bible Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades, Bastes, Butters, and Glazes. Raichlen's latest cookbook offers a lively introduction to such saucy American standbys as Kansas City-style and Texas-style barbecue while paying due respect to such international grill classics as Indian tandoori, Argentinean chimichurri, Korean boolkogi, and Indonesian satay (the recipes for these, by the way, are carefully authentic as well as delicious). The most important lesson Raichlen offers is his careful explanation of the components of great barbecue, which builds upon different layers of flavor. Variously referred to as wet rubs, marinades, cures, bastes, glazes, or slather sauces, these layers are clearly defined and supplemented by dozens of recipes. How to deploy these layers? According to personal taste, says Raichlen, but he helpfully offers a peek at the structure of a "championship barbecue," which might start with a long deep soak in marinade, followed by a dusting of spice mix, before being basted and glazed during the cooking process. When the meat is ready to be eaten, it is served with a finishing sauce, slather sauce, dipping sauce, or chutney. Raichlen provides fascinating recipes for every step, from the Only Marinade You'll Ever Need to recipes for homemade ketchups and mustards, both classic slather sauces. Novices who have yet to light their first grill and seasoned smoke hands alike will find this guide inspiring and indispensable. --Sumi Hahn Almquist

Rachael Ray a popular cook book author, chef, and television chef has written a delicious book! I had the pleasure of interviewing Rachael about her book for my family web site families-first.com where we feature all important topics for families- recipes, crafts, education, and health. Rachael has done an excellent job in providing us, in her book Comfort Foods, a collection of wonderful down-home favorites- meatloaf, mac and cheese, along with spaghetti and meatballs- all can be made before the pizza delivery guy reaches your front steps! It takes only 30 minutes or LESS to make these great dishes! Your whole family will love her recipes- both kids ang big folks!