See You On Sunday: A Cookbook for Family and Friends

New York Times food editor Sifton delivers a lush and fun guide to creating memorable Sunday dinners for large groups of friends and family. Advising readers not to take Sunday dinners “too seriously” because they are “simply special occasions that are not at all extraordinary,” Sifton provides enhanced takes on such classic recipes as chicken Provençal, barbecued pork ribs, and calzones. The recipes are straightforward, and their introductions are both entertaining, thanks to Sifton’s lyrical prose (“The onion leaves a sweet whisper”), and helpful (he lists crab and pheasant as alternatives to chicken for his gumbo). Some of the less familiar options include roast goose with potatoes, sweet and sour brisket (the two key ingredients are soy sauce and Coca-Cola), and shrimp pizza with bacon and artichokes. Readers will also relish the advice Sifton offers, including how to keep plates warm (e.g., put the plates in the dishwasher and use the “plate warmer” function) and how to save money when purchasing meats (he suggests buying cheaper cuts that still pack lots of flavor, like pork butts). This is an excellent resource for family meals that readers will turn to time and again. (Feb.)