It would be easy to resent the Blanchards, a couple (authors of A Trip to the Beach) married for close to 30 years who split their time between Norwich, Vt., and the island of Anguilla, where they run a restaurant on the beach. They're too good-natured, however, to attract any negative vibes. On almost every page of this cookbook, they gratefully praise their staff and enthuse about what they do. Recipes are just challenging enough and, while not groundbreaking, often enlivened with new twists, as with Blanchard's Lobster Cakes with Tomato Tartar Sauce that substitutes lobster for the usual crab, and Blanchard's Corn Chowder, a lighter version made with milk or cream. Influences are divided between the sunny islands (Potato Salad with Lime and Sun-Dried Tomatoes; Island Rice with Cumin and Coconut) and the wintry north (Vermont Chicken and Biscuits; Vermont Cheddar Soup). That duality comes to a head in the chapter on drinks, which features not only a Mango Colada, but Real Hot Chocolate as well. Pages titled "In a Hurry" scattered throughout the book provide half a dozen or so easy ideas that don't quite qualify as recipes, such as Prosciutto Bundles and Asparagus Wrapped in Smoked Salmon on one such page in the chapter on starters. The Blanchards successfully blend New England practicality with the generosity and warmth of the islands. (Mar.)
Forecast:
A Trip to the Beach won the Blanchards fans, and this second effort, although more of a traditional cookbook, won't disappoint them and may win over new converts. It is blemished, however, by a somewhat characterless cover and a fuzzy title.
