Three food books that are well worth digesting RECIPE AND last-minute- dining-gift seekers: Direct your attention to a trio of new recipe books frum local good food folks Jurgen Gothe, Eve Johnson and Karen Barnaby. Some Acquired Tastes, A Recipe Album (Douglas & Mcintyre, $18.95 softcover) which was launched Sept. 25 in gourmet style at Le Gavroche Restaurant Francais, features Gothe’s entertain- ing writing style and flamboyant recipes culled from his calorie-laden life in the four-star dining lane. ters range from Soups and Breads through Stews, Veggies and Desserts. There’s also an entire sec- tion set aside for the appreciation of oysters (Blue Commeal-fried Oysters with Chipotle Cream Sauce, anyone?) and an intriguing closing section called Stuff “things that chanced along and had to go some- where.” Like Corncob Jelly and Miss V’s Tuna Ephemera. Some will find Gothe's recipes challenging and their ingredients occasionally far off the beaten kitchen path — pass the Harissa — but those who persevere will find their efforts rewarded. Gothe also provides knowledge- able side dish and beverage sugges- tions for all the bouk's recipes. The book is entertaining and instructive. More approachable is Eve Johnson’s Six O'Clock Solutions (Pacific Press Books, $21.95 soft- cover). It provides 150 simple recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or under for that critical time of day that chronic crabapples have dubbed the Arsenic Hour. Johnson’s Six O'Clock solutions range throngh meat, seafood, pasta and vegetarian dishes with a breezy Style that champions simplicity and nutrition. The dishes are easy to make and enjoyable to eat. Sampled recipes from the book have yet to provide anything but a winning six o'clock solution. Bamaby’s Pacific Passions Cookbook (Whitecap Books $17.95 softcover) focuses on the fresh bounty of Pacific Northwest cuisine and showcases Barnaby‘s Pre Christmas Sale = on selected ‘25-50 items % + Off » innovative approach to presenting that bounty. Her book is loaded with flour- ishes of sometimes brilliant, some- times eccentric, always interesting combinations: Beet Green Pizza with Garlic and Mozzarella, Pancetta-wrapped Cod with Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette; Smoked Black Cod Poached in Mulled Apple Cider; Braised Rabbit Sausage with Dried pears and Sauerkraut; Grilled Lamb Salad with Rhubarb Vinaigrette: Horseradish Mashed Potatoes. Barnaby’s dessert recipes are especially enticing (Carmen's Warm Persimmon Pudding; Aunt Toni’s Steamed Cranberry Pudding with Eggnog Sauce). Bamaby, who began her West Coast cooking career at Capers in ‘West Vancouver, is now the execu- tive chef at the Fish House in Stanley Park. — Table Hopping Department Christmas Symphony Ragout of escargots with paysane of vegetable flavored with pernod Cantaloupe black sambucca sherbet Escallop of musk ox on a black currant and balsamic vinegar essence Filet of Chilean seabass encrusted with macadamia nuts on a or citrus-ginger beurre blanc Lebkuchen soufflé on creme anglaise scented with prussers rum $28" CHES): RESTAURANT 1734 Marine Drive, West Van 922-2411 Book now for New Year’s Eve Including remaining Party Dresses * WE CARRY A HUGE SELECTION OF | & COTTON PLACEMATS $1.50 ea. reg. $4.99 | & CANOPY BED $179 reg. $499 * SILK FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS from $15 * SOLID OAK DINETTE SET $499 reg. $1000 * IRON BEDS AND FRAMES -.. and much, much more!! : PRIZE. DRAW'W ILL BE HELD © [2468 Marine Drive, West Vancouver Celebrate New Year's Eve Japanese Style at... ZEN Japanese Restaurant 922-0613} WT Combination Dinner Miso Soup Assorted Greens with Prawns Sushi and Sashimi Platter New York Steak Teriyaki with Alaskan King Crab or Sockeye Salmon Teriyaki with Grilled Prawns & Scallops (with rice & vegetables! Seafood Platter Miso Soup Assorted Greens with Prawns Sushi and Sashimi Platter 1/2 Lb. Alaskan King Crab Sockeye Salmon Teriyaki Grilled Prawns & Scallops (with sice & vegetables) Cheesecake of the Day _ Coffee/Japanese Green Ter Cheesecake of the Day Coffee/Japanese Green Tea $6 O per person $ ) O Per person 2 Seatings Available 929-0007 Mes int, | | CAPRA, MALL | (NEXT TO SEARS) .