Back to Square One: Old-World Food in a New-World Kitchen

Rating:
Summary: a must have
Review: I bought this book at Square One a few years ago in SF. A great meal, and I have had the pleasure of making many of the easy top follow recipes in this book. The stories adjacent to the recipes give background and also hints on preparation and substitutions.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite cookbook of all time
Review: I have drawn on this book almost exclusively for about six years. Underneath the specific recipies is an approach that has transformed my own cooking. A huge bonus are the wine reccomendations for nearly every dish--including soups, salads, and desserts--that provide a road-map for discovering the pleasures of thoughtful matching. It's not fussy, but chock full of good humor, finesse, and joy.