The Plumpjack Cookbook: Great Meals for Good Living

Inspired by a popular collection of Northern California restaurants, a wine shop, two hotels and a winery (all under the umbrella of PlumpJack—a name taken from Queen Elizabeth nickname for Jack Falstaff, a Shakespearean character), this extremely eclectic cookbook features 75 recipes for the PlumpJack group's greatest hits. This book by Morgan, a Napa-based food and wine writer, also includes a discussion of wine and unpretentious suggestions for wine pairings with most dishes. The recipes range from Boon Fly Donuts to Chicken Liver Flan Crème Caramel with Apple "Caviar." A recipe for an elaborate appetizer of Beef Carpaccio with Lemon Aioli, Truffle Oil, and Asparagus Salad is just a few pages away from a recipe for a simple tortilla soup. The seafood chapter has a recipe for fish tacos as well as one for Grilled Halibut with Orange Fennel Puree, Asparagus, and Warm Quinoa Salad. Balboa Cafe regulars will be pleased to have instructions for preparing the famed Balboa Burger, while ambitious dinner party hosts might want to take on Lamb Shanks in Red Wine with Pomegranate/Mint Gremolata, Green Beans, and Chickpeas. There are a few desserts, too, including Chocolate Cognac Truffles and Balboa Cafe's Peanut Butter Cookies. (Nov.)