Emeril at the Grill: A Cookbook for All Seasons

After a dozen cookbooks, popular TV personality and restaurateur Lagasse is unflagging in his enthusiasm and encouragement for home cooks, evidenced by this dense appreciation of all things grilled. A smart and approachable mix of the familiar (burgers, garlic bread, Marinated Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce) and the exotic (spicy Portugese piri piri kebabs, tandoori chicken drumsticks), Lagasse's latest includes over 150 recipes suitable for the next cookout. Lagasse packs in plenty of flavor without requiring too much effort in terms of sourcing; most cooks should be able to find the necessary requirements for his Vietnamese BBQ Pork Meatballs, Pork and Chorizo Burgers with Green Chile Mayo or Thai-Style Beef Salad with minimal fuss. A consummate entertainer, Lagasse also gives readers plenty of hosting ideas, starting with Watermelon Margaritas and Caipirinhas, can't-miss crowd-pleasers like baked beans and grilled corn (with cheese and chilis), classic desserts like root beer floats and s'mores, and signature southern riffs like mint julep sorbet. Grillers looking to broaden their repertoire are likely to find more than a few new standards here.