The Best Comfort Food on the Planet

Readers are in for a wonderful surprise, as Altiero’s terrific debut lives up to its title. The head chef and owner of Café Miranda in Rockland, Maine, Altiero shares a recipe for his lobster mac and cheese as well as dozens of his restaurant’s most craved dishes, many boasting whimsical names like Woo-Tang Clam (clams and pork in a garlic sauce); Et Tu, Brutus, a riff on the classic Caesar salad that’s upgraded with romano cheese, basil, and radicchio; and NASCAR Pâté—leftover smoked meatloaf served with prepared mustard, red onion, dill pickles, and Ritz crackers. There are excellent small dishes for entertaining, such as seared jalapeños with goat cheese and ricotta stuffing. Simple yet inventive dishes will be surefire hits for warming the soul, like roasted broccoli, corn, and blue cheese soup; roast pork chops with apples, spuds, and cider; and haddock enchiladas filled with corn, cheese, yellow rice, and black beans. Altiero’s instructions are clear, and his ingredient list for any recipe is kept simple. While the book is not for the health-minded cook (heavy cream is incorporated into 20 dishes), this is an exciting and inventive collection. [em](Oct.) [/em]