Wolfgang Puck's Pizza, Pasta, and More!

Entrepreneurial chef Puck (Adventures in the Kitchen) presents a lively and inspired collection of popular recipes guaranteed to leave his many devotees sated. Puck, whose vast empire includes the acclaimed Spago restaurants, lets readers in on the secrets behind his justifiably revered pizzas as well as other inviting dishes that he says are easy enough for anyone to prepare. If he perchance exaggerates the simplicity of some recipes, there are plenty of others that cry out to be replicated in the home kitchen. His signature Caesar Chicken Pizza (from his restaurant at the Forum at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas) is a study in contrasts: tangy saut ed chicken, oven-dried tomatoes and cheeses topped by a reinterpreted Caesar's Salad. Spinach, Mushroom and Blue Cheese Pizza combines flavors fearlessly. A delectably effortless Black and Green Olive Tapenade includes oven-dried tomatoes, fresh thyme and oregano. Although it's no longer on the menu, Puck brings back a simple customer favorite in Angel Hair with Goat Cheese, Broccoli and Toasted Pine Nuts. Less intrepid cooks may bypass Roasted Squab on Pan-Fried Noodles with Spicy Mushroom Sauce after they read that the bird (except for the legs) should be butterflied and boned. But then there is Chicken Bolognese, which takes under an hour to prepare and can be done in advance. Recipes for pizza and pasta are popular enough, but Puck's appearances on Good Morning America and the Home Shopping Network will certainly get viewers' attention. 5-city author tour. (Nov.)