Men del Da: More than 100 Authentic, Classic Recipes from Across Spain

While many Americans have encountered the French term prix fixe, the similar, Spanish concept of Menú del Día may not be as familiar. Traditionally a midday meal of three courses (including dessert), the Menú del Día is offered at many Spanish restaurants for a set price. Daft loosely translates the concept for the home cook, offering five solid chapters (including first and second courses and desserts, along with helpful sections covering ingredients and condiments) that include plates that can be mixed and matched, or served solo. Recipes begin with extensive headnotes, chock-full of Spanish culinary and cultural information showing the author’s expertise and passion for his subject. The usual yet well-loved first-course suspects—gazpacho and paella—are mixed in among dishes that may be new to the American cook, such as Alboronía (quince, squash and eggplant in tomato sauce), and Ajo Blanco (cold almond and garlic soup with grapes). Second courses offer recipes for pigeon, oxtail and partridge (along with instructions for killing a live spiny lobster) that may intimidate beginning cooks, yet a range of recipes ensures there’s something for all skill levels. Quirky yet sophisticated illustrations and a gift-appropriate size make this a worthy international culinary title. (Sept.)