LIVE, LOVE, EAT! The Best of Wolfgang Puck

Puck, winner of three James Beard awards, founder of Spago and Chinois, offers such favorite recipes as Pumpkin Ravioli and Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Bell Peppers with Sweet Green Onion Sauce in this distilled collection. California cuisine is the word, with Italian (Fettucine Wolf-fredo with Grilled Chicken) and fusion (Spicy Asian Beef Burgers with Shitake Mushrooms and Wolfgang's Vegetable Spring Rolls) alongside Puck's native Viennese (Minced Veal or Pork with Chanterelles, Paprika Cream Sauce, and Noodles). Comfort food like All-American Chicken Pot Pie and Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions abounds but fat watchers beware—My Favorite Tomato Sauce calls for one and a half sticks of butter. Many recipes predictably rely on chicken broth (Fettucine Wolf-Fredo, and Corn Chowder with Littleneck Clams and Jalapeno Cream). There are appetizers such as Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip and salads like Greek Shrimp Salad. Overcomplication is Puck's flaw, but his talent is making classics look new, like Beef Stew with Winter Vegetables and Red Wine or Crispy Shrimp with Chinese Noodles and Spicy Garlic Sauce. Desserts include Wolfgang's Tarte Tatin and Decadent Warm Chocolate Cupcakes with Molten Centers. (Nov.)