Mustards Grill Napa Valley Cookbook (2001)

Excellent and accessible. Grape gazpacho is amazing. ( )

I don't know how I have missed Cindy Pawlcyn's books but I only just came across her. I now possess two of her cookbooks - I don't know if there are more. I always prefer my cookbooks to have lots of photographs and these do not disappoint. The first is Mustards Grill which is the name of one of her restaurants. Just looking through the book makes me want to trek on over to California to eat. For one thing, it appears the sun shines all the time (a terrible temptation to a Michigander in the middle of winter); for another the photographs of the food are truly mouthwatering. I was staring at a photo of strawberries - not the huge, tasteless variety we get in supermarkets - but the lovely small, succulent ones. My husband passed by and said 'you don't even need to eat, do you'. I think he has put his finger on why I love cookbooks. Even a professional does not have time to make all the wonderful dishes that can be thought up but, if you have an educated palate, you can imagine how things will taste and the recipes and photos are like a culinary tour. Let me just whet your appetite: Japanese Inspired Beef Filet "Rolls"; Spicy Mustard and Garlic Poussin with Black Beans and Tomatillo-Avocado Salsa; Tea Smoked Duck with 100-Almond Sauce and Ginger Pickled Mango; Smoked Turkey, Bacon, and Grilled Apple Sandwiches with Guacamole; Lime Creme Fraiche; Cindy's Tapioca Pudding with Bourbon Cream. Okay, that is enough. I am so hungry. ( )