Suzanne Lenzer

Good inspiration, indeed, for little snacky, charcuterie-esque type plates. Just don't bother with the author anecdotes preceding the recipes, some of which are longer than the simple instructions. Many barely touch on the food they ought to be highlighting, and eventually you'll get tired of the humble-bragging. ("Every winter break growing up we went to London because off-season tickets were cheap. I thought every family spent Christmas in London, haha! We'd rent an apartment there blah blah blah." Like that.) Okay, your life is your life, and if it was fancier than average you can't help that, and food people seem contractually obligated to gab about their lives before getting around to the food, but a definite aura builds up.

(Contrast to my fave food book of the year, First We Eat by Eva Kosmas Flores, whose blurbs are short and usually relatable, and always let the food or ingredient shine ultimately.)… (más)