cover image The Little Book of Leftovers

The Little Book of Leftovers

Kevin Crafts. Three Rivers Press (CA), $10 (80pp) ISBN 978-0-517-88198-9

The idea of utilizing leftovers is in keeping with the current trend of recycling. Food stylist Crafts ingeniously finds additional uses for food products that would otherwise have been discarded or left to die in the freezer. However, the average cook may be disappointed by this book; it doesn't really deal much with simple, everyday leftovers. Instead, it's best suited for exotic occasions and formal dinner settings. While recipe names are novel-``Remains of the Day Pasta''-the author assumes that most of us throw gourmet dinner parties regularly, and keep a well-stocked spice and liquor cabinet, evident in the scope of his favored ingredients: olives, salmon, champagne, tarragon, balsamic vinegar. Readers should be cautioned that a visit to a local gourmet or delicatessen might be necessary before attempting to experiment with one or more of these rewarding dishes. (Nov.)