cover image The New Woman Fast and Fabulous Menu Cookbook

The New Woman Fast and Fabulous Menu Cookbook

Susan Kessler. Simon & Schuster, $9.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-671-64544-1

This sprightly collection will hold greatest appeal for busy couples seeking intimate, elegant meals. Kessler, food editor of New Woman magazine and author of its ``Short Order Cook'' column, where some of these recipes previously appeared, serves up dinners for two that provide maximum impact with minimum preparation. While such dishes as stuffed burgers on garlic buns and skillet meat loaf with tomato sauce do appear, the emphasis is upscale, with items like artichoke squares, broiled scallops, banana bisque with cinnamon croutons, sauteed lamb chops and fillet of sole with pecan crust. For ease and speedy preparation, Kessler recommends many store-bought or take-out items: puff pastry for ``after the theater'' crab vol-au-vent, as well as chocolate mousse, poached salmon and spareribs. Party menus for six offer chicken veronique, strawberry coupe with gaufrettes, roast turkey breast and herbed rack of lamb. Brevity in directions may occasionally hamper true novices. Photos not seen by PW. (July)