Simply Delicious: The Classic Collection

Allen, an Irish-born chef and culinary-school founder, presents an enticing collection of her 100 “best” recipes in a standard breakdown of soups and appetizers, poultry, meat, seafood, vegetables and salads, and desserts. Appetizer selections—simple and ideal for weeknight entertaining—include shrimp on brown bread; mushroom soup; and an easy Three-Minute Fish, a fillet with herbs that can be served with “crusty white bread, a good green salad, and a glass of wine.” And if berries are in season, a black-currant whipped cream fool is a satisfying way to end the night. Irish dishes have their place with Lydia’s Traditional Irish Salad, which calls for butter lettuce, pickled beets, eggs, radishes, and a cream dressing; and a Ballymaloe Irish stew, a one-pot classic of lamb, onions, and potatoes made with a roux. A rich vegetarian zucchini-and-basil lasagna is welcomingly hearty, as is a leek, potato, and cheddar cheese pie. This attractively designed cookbook of traditional recipes is sure to please Allen’s fans. [em](Mar.) [/em]