Roasting

Part of the attractive and accessible Williams-Sonoma cookbook series, this volume focuses on the transformative powers of roasting. Grunes (Gourmet Fish on the Grill) suggests roasting anything from a pork tenderloin to a piece of bluefish to leaves of raddichio and endive. The elegant Sea Bass With Pernod, which calls for only six ingredients and a minimal amount of kitchen skill, makes a perfect dinner party dish. Even easier are Halibut Steaks Au Poivre, a spicy low-fat dish that requires about 15 minutes of kitchen time. Grunes even incorporates fruits, praising the""contrast of caramelized exteriors with soft interiors"" of roasted apples and plums. A simple recipe for Roasted-Apple Brown Betty turns out a crumbly comfort that leaves a kitchen smelling divine (an optional Hard Sauce of sweetened whipping cream tops off the dessert). Best of all, like every Williams-Sonoma cookbook, this guide features beautiful photographs, clear instructions and a useful glossary, enabling even a novice to roast like a pro.