The Best American Recipes 2001-2002
Fran McCullough has done it again. As editor of the Best American  Recipes series, she's consistently culled and published top yearly recipe picks  from books, magazines, newspapers, and the Internet.Best American Recipes  2001-2002continues this splendid tradition, presenting over 125  all-occasion formulas ranging from starters like Southern-Style Spicy Pecans to  Caramelized Scallops with Smoked Chile Cream to a luscious Double-Baked  Chocolate Cake. McCullough excels in choosing approachable recipes that embody  the best of contemporary American cooking--sometimes inventive (see chef Michael  Roberts's recipe for "crimped" fish), but always relaxed and full of flavor.  These are dishes most cooks will make part of their daily repertoire.McCullough writes that 2001-2002 was notable for two remarkable culinary  invasions: that of British cooks, such as Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson, and  of Southeast Asian cooking, perhaps best exemplified by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi  Duguid's award-winningHot Sour  Salty Sweet. From the former camp,Bestoffers Lawson's  ravishing Clementine Cake; and from the latter, the simple but savory Aromatic  Lemongrass and Pork Patties. Other must-try dishes include Shrimp Braised in  Olive Oil and Paula Wolfert's Quick and Easy Chicken Breasts with Fresh  Mozzarella. With a "year in food" run-down (the vegetable of the year: beets),  useful cook's notes, and accompanying drink suggestions, the book is the latest  in a valuable and discriminating series.--Arthur Boehm