About the Author

Judy Wicks Kevin Von Klause Elizabeth Fitzgerald Mardee Haidin Regan

Reviews

Wicks, a community activist, and von Klause, a chef, are partners in a 15-year-old Philadelphia restaurant known for its advocacy of organic foods and innovative food preparation. Here, they offer some 250 recipes. As is often the case with restaurant-based cookbooks, however, a significant number of dishes require considerable skill and time, e.g., Baked Shrimp and Pork Spring Rolls with Apricot-Pickled Ginger Dipping Sauce. The homemade pasta in Braised Wild Mushrooms Under Herb-Printed Pasta requires fresh herbs sandwiched between two thin sheets of dough. Chili-Rubbed Duck Breasts with Sun-Dried Cherry Glaze calls for one cup of Veal Demi-Glacé, which can be prepared in advance but takes up to five hours to reduce. Some dishes, such as Watermelon and Shrimp Salad with Jalapeno-Lime Dressing, unite ingredients with startling invention. The authors shine with simpler meals such as Sautéed Chicken and Mushrooms in Marsala-Sage Sauce and Tarragon-Braised Lamb Shanks. Photos not seen by PW. (Mar.)