cover image A Glorious Harvest: Robust Recipes from the Dairy, Pasture, Orchard, and Sea

A Glorious Harvest: Robust Recipes from the Dairy, Pasture, Orchard, and Sea

Henrietta Green. Sedgewood Press, $34.95 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-696-02366-8

British food writer Green believes that ``shopping really is the key to successful cooking, as without good ingredients you do not stand a chance.''6 That said, the recipes here are on the whole straightforward and attractive--by way of example, chicken breasts with orange, containing grated zest and a touch of cream1 ; a delicious-sounding mushroom ketchup made with port; and a simple, quickly made thin olive oil bread195 . The author appears to be much influenced by Elizabeth David, who also championed high-quality ingredients, uncompromised fresh flavor and respect for tradition. Still, much of the information given, which was directed originally to British readers, just does not lend itself to Americanization. For recipes stressing the distinctive flavors of ingredients, substitutions of American cream, duck, game and even lamb can only hobble the author's intentions. Moreover, the sumptuous book, filled with glorious color photographs and watercolors, is really too beautiful to risk taking into the kitchen. Perhaps the best bet is to photocopy your choice of recipes and enjoy the volume somewhere near the coffee table. (Sept.)