Martha Stewart's Pies and Tarts

This is the third in Stewart's Food & Entertaining series, following Entertaining and Hors d'Oeuvres, written in the informal, conversational style that attracts her readers and may assure them they can achieve the results displayed in Galton's photos. The author is a professional caterer and columnist for House Beautiful, and the elegant creations here bespeak learned skills, inventiveness and enthusiasm. Perfectly reproduced color pictures focus on pies, tarts and tartlets made from fruits (including the citrus types), berries, nuts, chocolate, vegetables. These ingredients are elaborately decorated, some baked in heart-shaped or other unconventional pans, most as rich as Croesus and a treat for the eyes as well as the palate. Stewart's instructions are complete, unmistakably clear and illustrated each step of the way. Still, a kitchen neophyte would probably be frustrated by attempts to make the Concord grape pie, garnished by a grape cluster, leaves and tendrilsall made of pastry; or a swirling, white-and-dark chocolate masterpiece surrounded by hand-fashioned chocolate leaves. The book is outstanding, and it should appeal strongly to people experienced in the art of fine cooking. December 2