Posted: March 30, 2010 |(0) Comments
ON THE SHELVES
The Great Big Cheese Cookbook. By Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Running Press. $22.95.
A substantial, 480-page book put out by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, it has recipes for a variety of meal options, from breakfast (Gorgonzola, Tomato and Spaghetti Squash Frittata) to appetizers (Traditional Wisconsin Cheese Fondue) to sides (Mexican-Style Asparagus Salad with Wisconsin Queso Blanco) to dinners (Pork Loin with Prunes, Apple and Wisconsin Muenster).
Recipes are provided by well-known chefs with Badger State connections, including Michael Symon, Tory Miller and Mindy Segal.
Not all recipes are pictured, but each has its own page, and the thick paper stock stays relatively flat on the counter for easy, hands-free reference.
The front of the book has handy tips for cooking with, handling and storing cheeses. A cheese-substitution chart is useful for those times you just can’t find scamorza no matter how hard you look. (You can substitute whole-milk mozzarella, though you lose the opportunity to say scamorza at the dinner table.)
Overall, this is a great showcase for the many varieties of Wisconsin-made cheeses and, considering the quality of the materials and recipes, a good buy at $23.
ON TV
“Alex’s Day Off” on The Food Network
One of the better shows on The Food Network, “Alex’s Day Off” features professional chef Alex Guarnaschelli, who creates quality, easy home meals for her family. Many of the dishes approach restaurant quality but are not difficult to make overall.
New episodes air at 8:30 a.m. Sundays. This week, with help from a friend, Pat LaFrieda, Guarnaschelli makes Spring Lamb Stew with Fresh Parsnips, the first vegetables of her spring garden.
The meal also includes Pea Salad with Basil and Pea Shoots, covered in a vinaigrette. Dessert is Sauteed Cherries with Grappa, Almonds and Cinnamon.
ON THE WEB
kitchendaily.com
An online magazine with seasonal recipes, forums and food articles.
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Food Network celebrity chef Tyler Florence and Tulocay& Co will debut Tyler Florence West Coast Kitchen Essentialsduring the Winter Fancy Food show in San Francisco.
