M. Emmerling's American Country Cooking

Through vivid colors, lavish illustrations and homestyle cooking, this volume celebrates ""the warmth of Country style.'' Following the calendar year from early spring through late winter, Emmerling presents 28 complete meals from rustic locales across the country. Background tidbits on the ``hosts,'' setting and food are offered as integral parts of each party. With color photographs of scenic surroundings, prepared dinner tables and parties in progress, this giftbook's aim is to convey the country lifestyle; the commonplace recipes are almost an afterthought. A fireside supper for two in the Ohio River Valley features scalloped potatoes and ham, asparagus-vinaigrette salad, butter-crust beer bread and chocolate-chip melt pie. A regional New Mexican dinner calls for fiesta tamales, New Mexican-style spareribs, chili verde, natillas and white sangria. Boiled lobster, corn on the cob, creamy coleslaw and blueberry cobbler are served at a harborside dinner in Maine. A former editor of House Beautiful and Mademoiselle magazines, Emmerling designs furniture, sheets and paper goods. (December)