Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Soup of the Day (Williams-Sonoma): 365 Recipes for Every Day of the Year

ENDLESSLY VERSATILE, soup is perfect for any season and every occasion. What better way to capture the essence of spring than by simmering freshly shelled peas and fava beans in a fragrant broth accented by bracing mint and refreshing lemon zest? In summer, a cool gazpacho made by whirling perfectly ripe tomatoes, juicy cucumbers, and vibrant red peppers is fitting for a hot and humid day--no pot necessary! When the air turns brisk, soup nourishes and satisfies like no other dish. In autumn, white beans mingle with sturdy greens in satisfying, peasant-style pots, and starchy squashes and root vegetables blend into silky purees. Winter brings even more soul-warming fare, such as chilis and stews featuring sausages and other hearty meats and thick vegetable soups scented with woodsy herbs.
Williams-Sonoma "Soup of the Day" offers a tantalizing collection of 365 soup recipes: one for each day of the year. Colorful calendars at the beginning of each chapter offer an at-a-glance view of the dishes best suited for the ingredients, occasions, and typical weather of the month. From January to December, you'll find a seasonal soup that will satisfy any craving, and match any meal ranging from a quick weeknight supper to an elegant dinner party. A handful of the recipes are even appropriate for the holiday table, while others are perfect for using up a leftover roast or chicken. Notes accompanying each recipe offer ideas for ingredient variations, garnishes, and other helpful tips. All of the soups can be dressed up or dressed down; served in rustic earthenware mugs or on heirloom china; garnished with a flourish of fried herbs or dollop of pesto, or stripped down to the bare, tasty essentials--the possibilities are endless, but always delicious.
Full-color photographs enhance many of the recipes inside to help guide your cooking. You can start your soup-making journey at any time--just open this book, check the calendar, and you'll be inspired to create a new soup du jour every day of the year.
Sample recipes:
January
Chicken Chili with Piquillo Peppers
Tuscan Farro Soup
Barley and Leek Soup with Chicken Meatballs
February
Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Crispy Prosciutto
Black Bean Soup with Meyer Lemon Creme Fraiche
Winter Greens Soup with Shiitakes & Poached Eggs
March
White Bean Soup with Sage & Olive Oil
Broccoli-Leek Soup
Fava Bean & Farfalle Soup
April
Artichoke & Quinoa Soup with Green Garlic
Sorrel Soup with Torn Croutons
Carrot & Coconut Soup with Curried Almonds
May
Egg-Lemon Soup with Fava Beans
Leek & Asparagus Vichyssoise
Weeknight Ginger Chicken Soup
June
Cool Honeydew-Melon Soup
Vietnamese Chicken Meatballs in Broth
Golden Beet Soup with Dilled Goat Cheese
July
Chilled Cucumber-Yogurt Soup with Lemon & Mint
Spicy Corn Soup
Gazpacho
August
Watermelon Gazpacho
Charred Eggplant Soup with Cumin & Greek Yogurt
Smoky Red Pepper Soup
September
Corn & Lobster Chowder
Fennel-Leek Soup with Zucchini Carpaccio
Turkey-White Bean Chili
October
Acorn Squash Soup with Toasted Walnut Butter
Celery Root Soup with Caramelized Apples
Cannelini Bean, Broccolini & Bratwurst Soup
November
Red Cabbage & Apple Soup
Chicken-Tomatillo Soup with Chipotle Chiles
Smoked Fish Chowder
December
Cream of Sundried Tomato Soup with Crab
Short Rib Chili with Smoked Paprika Creme Fraiche
Sweet Potato Soup with Cheddar Cheese (Check Catalog)

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Bean by Bean: A Cookbook: More Than 200 Recipes for Fresh Beans, Dried Beans, Cool Beans, Hot Beans, Savory Beans...Even Sweet Beans!

Has there ever been a more generous ingredient than the bean? Down-home, yet "haute," soul-satisfyingly hearty, valued, versatile deeply delectable, healthful, and inexpensive to boot, there's nothing a bean can't do--and nothing that Crescent Dragonwagon can't do with beans. From old friends like chickpeas and pintos to rediscovered heirloom beans like rattlesnake beans and teparies, from green beans and fresh shell beans to peanuts, lentils, and peas, "Bean by Bean" is the definitive cookbook on beans. It's a 200-plus recipe cornucopia overflowing with information, kitchen wisdom, lore, anecdotes, and a zest for good food and good times.Consider the lentil, to take one example. Discover it first in a delicious slather, Lentil Tapenade. Then in half a dozen soups, including Sahadi's Lebanese Lentil Soup with Spinach, Kerala-Style Dahl, and Crescent's Very, Very Best Lentil, Mushroom & Barley Soup. It then turns up in Marinated Lentils De Puy with Greens, Baked Beets, Oranges & Walnuts. Plus there's Jamaica Jerk-Style Lentil-Vegetable Patties, Ethiopian Lentil Stew, and Lentil-Celeriac Skillet Sauce. Do the same for black beans--from Tex-Mex Frijoles Dip to Feijoada Vegetariana to Maya's Magic Black Beans with Eggplant & Royal Rice. Or shell beans--Newly Minted Puree of Fresh Favas, Baked Limas with Rosy Sour Cream, Edamame in a Pod. And on and on--from starters and soups to dozens of entrees. Even desserts: Peanut Butter Cup Brownies and Red Bean Ice Cream.  (Check Catalog)

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion

The definitive guide to healthy digestion!
"Digestive Wellness" explains how your digestive system works and what to do when it doesn't. You'll find practical solutions to all the common gastrointestinal disorders (and many other conditions) and expert guidance on the newest advances in testing and diagnosis, nutrition, and natural therapies. Plus, you'll learn how faulty digestion can affect the human body systemically, from migraines and skin issues to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
"Dr. Lipski offers a practical toolkit to support each of us--clinicians and patients--to return to wellness by bringing our gastrointestinal system back into balance and harmony. I believe that you will deeply benefit from joining Dr. Lipski on this journey toward digestive wellness."
--Patrick Hanaway, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Genova Diagnostics; President, American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine
"For anyone who has an interest in truly understanding how the gut works or is just interested in finding ways to optimize quality of life during the aging process, "Digestive Wellness, 4th Edition" is a must read."
--Jeffrey Moss, D.D.S., CNS, DACBN, Moss Nutrition
"Liz Lipski explains digestion in a most appetizing and personal way. Even better than the last edition, Liz updates her understanding and ours. Everyone with a digestive tract has a need to know what Dr. Lipski synthesizes so well."
--Russell M. Jaffe, M.D., Ph.D., CCN, founder, ELISA/ACT Biotechnologies, LLC, and Perque, LLC
"Dr. Lipski has written an easy-to-read and highly informative book that will help the general population and practitioners alike understand what the problem is and how to treat it. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about the intimate relationship between our digestion and our health."
--Marcelle Pick, RNC, M.S.N., OB/GYN NP  (Check Catalog)

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Peas and Thank You: Simple Meatless Meals the Whole Family Will Love

Over 85 Recipes, One Very Happy Family
When Sarah Matheny, creator of the popular blog Peas and Thank You, decided to eliminate animal products from her diet, she knew there'd be skeptics. Her husband was raised on the standard American diet. Her grandpa was a butcher. Her mom was the best home cook around, with a generous pat of butter here and a crumble of bacon there. But now Sarah is a mom who wants to feed her children right.
Out went the diet soda. In came the smoothies.
Out went the "nutrition" bars. In came the nutritious cookies.
Out went a tired, caffeine-fueled mom. In came Mama Pea.
Peas and Thank You is a collection of recipes and stories from a mainstream family eating a not-so-mainstream diet. Filled with healthy and delicious versions of foods we've all grown up enjoying, but with a Mama Pea twist--no meat, lots of fresh ingredients and plenty of nutrition for growing Peas. From wholesome breakfasts to mouth-watering desserts, there's plenty here to satisfy the pickiest Peas in your life. It's easier than ever to whip up crowd-pleasing meals that will have the whole family asking for, "more, Peas."  (Check Catalog)