THE USEFUL PIG

This book is not for pork lovers only but for anyone susceptible to a vibrant collection of inspired recipes from Vietnam, Thailand, China, the Middle East, Spain, Italy, Mexico, and just about anywhere that pig cooking is an art--which seems to be just about everywhere. A random sampling of the dishes might turn up a very simple grilled pork slice with fresh herbs; a sensational spaghetti baked in parchment with porcini mushrooms, pancetta, and tomato; a pork satay with Korean hot bean mash and Thai fish sauce; and a splendid roast suckling pig with herb basting sauce. With the recipes come a sprightly history, a useful shopping guide, and diverting travel notes. And though Smoler scarcely mentions it, the leaner pigs bred today won't necessarily play havoc with your dietary guidelines.