The young, hip Londoner (The Naked Chef
) again brings his big personality to bear on cuisine that isn't "cheffy food, it's for normal people who want shortcuts and tips...." However, normal people may be put off by instructions as vague as the "2 good handfuls of arugula, 1 small handful of capers and 1 handful of anchovies" specified in the Slow-Cooked and Stuffed Baby Cherry Chilli Peppers. Also, simple recipes such as Crunchy Thai Salad are presented in descriptive text alone; ingredient quantities are left unspecified. Yet Oliver wields an adventurous hand in combining flavors, as with Monkfish Wrapped in Banana Leaves with Ginger, Cilantro, Chilli and Coconut Milk. Playful ideas also abound, such as Squashed Cherry Tomato and Smashed Olive Salad, in which the tomatoes are squashed by hand. On a more sophisticated note, there's Seared Scallops and Crispy Prosciutto with Roasted Tomatoes and Smashed White Beans. Oliver's Basic Bread recipe is adaptable enough for Chocolate Twister Bread, Pizzas and Chickpea Moroccan Flatbread. Desserts include Two-Nuts Chocolate Torte with almonds and walnuts and Crème Brûlée The Way I Like It, which is only an inch thick with a thin layer of crisp caramel. Venting his youthful spirits, he even tells how to spike a watermelon with vodka to intoxicate your "mates." Agent, Borra Garson. (Sept.)
Forecast:Already a popular Food Network host, Oliver airs new episodes this year in conjunction with the book.
Naked Chef has 100,000 copies in print, and for its sequel, Hyperion plans a $100,000 marketing campaign, including a five-city tour and confirmed appearances on
Rosie O'Donnell,
Late Night with David Letterman and
Entertainment Tonight. Last year, the author made
People's "Sexiest Man Alive" list. Sales should be brisk.
