THE COMPLETE COOKBOOK FOR MEN

The long-time editor of Esquire magazine presents over 400 recipes whose choice, style, and language are definitely geared to appeal to the male cook- not the man who cooks occasionally as a lighthearted hobby, but the man who cooks frequently, for himself and for guests. Mr. Birmingham begins with some fundamentals of cooking (basic implements, utensils, and seasonings as well as tips on carving and the choice of appropriate vegetables to accompany particular main dishes), then turns to a lengthy section full of good tricks for making packaged and canned meals thoroughly appealing, and goes on to give some basic main dishes suitable for moderate entertaining. Right about here, we make a and, for the remainder of the book, find ourselves in the company of foreign and domestic gourmet recipes for rather lavish entertaining-everything from chafing dish specialties, a complete smorgasbord, a whole roasted suckling pig, to an authentic clambake. The gourmet recipes are definitely expensive and very time-consuming; the easier, ""quickly"" recipes, not overly concerned with financial economy either. This is the perfect gift for the bachelor-cook who can afford to live on a rather grand style and enjoys ""sharing the wealth"".