Saturday, March 3, 2012

AUTHORS CRANK OUT GIFTS FOR HOME COOKS.(Living)

Byline: Susan E. Tomer Staff writer

Cooks know the holidays are getting near when publishers work overtime churning out fancy cookery books. This year is no exception - except that some of the likely big sellers came out in the fall: the new "Fannie Farmer" and Jeff Smith's "Our Immigrant Ancestors," for instance.

If you're considering a cookbook as a gift, try to remember what you've seen on the recipient's kitchen bookshelf. Keep in mind his or her interests, schedule and level of skill. A busy mother who works outside the home might appreciate the quick-hit approach of a Mr. Food, while a cook with time and experience might welcome one of the many ethnic cookbooks available.

Here's a look at some just-published books. *

"Jacques Pepin: The Short-Cut Cook." By Jacques Pepin. William Morrow and Co. $19.95 hardcover.

We like this book a lot, not least because it makes us feel We Can Do It. So many cookbooks nowadays have such an attitude that the everyday cook is made to feel inferior just reading the recipes.

Pepin is the well-known New York Times food writer and PBS chef. His idea here is that good, interesting food can be prepared quickly, without fuss, and without dozens of specialty ingredients, by anybody with a kitchen. What a novel notion.

And it seems to work. Occasionally Pepin resorts to a convenience food - such as frozen vegetables or packaged puff pastry - but it doesn't hurt and for the most part the recipes have wholesome, natural ingredients.

Recipes include: Shrimp Saute Piquante, Poached Scrod with Black Butter and Capers, Linguine with Clam Sauce Gloria, Scaloppini of Turkey with Scallions, Borscht, Ragout of Potatoes, Cheese Tart and Instant Chocolate Mousse. SCALLOPS IN A SKILLET (Serves four) One pound scallops, preferably medium-size sea scallops Mayonnaise-lemon Sauce: One tablespoon mayonnaise Two …

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