In the U.S., British chef Ramsay is best known for his Fox reality show Hell's Kitchen
, where he unleashes his fiery temper on innocent aspiring cooks. This work, which more than lives up to its title, allows Ramsay to showcase his softer side with anecdotes about his wife and photos with his children, while offering recipes where complex taste and elegant presentation belie simple preparation. Broccoli Soup, for example, cleverly uses broccoli, goat cheese and either walnuts or almonds to make for a light lunch or satisfying first course in less than 10 minutes. Even the unusual pairing of crabmeat and passion fruit in Crab Salad works beautifully, with flavor bursting in each bite. The recipes are artfully divided into eight sections, including ones for kids, fast food, cooking for a crowd and the often overlooked category of cooking for two. The section on summer barbecues is misleading, however, as most recipes work just as well indoors. Fresh herbs, wine, heavy cream and butter make repeat appearances but don't overwhelm, allowing the main ingredient to be the star. With echoes of Jamie's Dinners: The Essential Family Cookbook
, by Jamie Oliver, this is a solid cookbook that could boost Ramsay's reputation Stateside. (Oct.)
