cover image Cooking Outside the Box: Easy, Seasonal, Organic: The Abel and Cole Cookbook

Cooking Outside the Box: Easy, Seasonal, Organic: The Abel and Cole Cookbook

Keith Abel. HarperCollins UK, $24.95 (224pp) ISBN 978-0-00-723070-9

Following a recent trend, this attractive, cleverly-photographed recipe collection is dedicated to seasonality, organic ingredients and simple home cooking. What distinguishes it is its author's British accent; the co-founder of an English catering company, Abel's takes on Heekerbeeker Kedgeree and The One and Only Traditional Cornish Pasty look and taste like a weekend in Brighton. Other recipes show off New British Cooking at its most cosmopolitan: Venison Saltimbocca is a novel twist on an Italian classic, while Lemon Sole with Wine, Toasted Almonds and Capers exposes the Brits' deep connection to France. India also proves influential, in treats like Bombayed Jersey Royals, a snappy potato dish, or Calcutta Lamb Burgers with Radish and Yogurt Salad, a loving tribute to two former British colonies. There aren't as many desserts as one might expect-after all, Brits are known for their ""puddings""-but the few included, such as Mulled Wine, Pears and Clementines with Dark Chocolate Shavings, are all winners. Divided by seasons, the text is generally easy to follow but hasn't been Americanized; certain British food terms (""broad beans,"" ""courgettes,"" vanilla ""swede"" puree) may cause confusion.