Tuesday, October 02, 2012

My Beverly Hills Kitchen



I recently received a review copy of the new cookbook My Beverly Hills Kitchen: Classic Southern Cooking with a French Twist, by Alex Hitz, and I can't begin to tell you how anxious I am to start cooking from it.  (I had hoped to cook one of the recipes over the weekend, but I was stuck in bed with a bad cold.)  So, which recipe should I try first? Chicken Country Captain? "She" Crab Soup? Salmon Pot Pie?

One of my biggest complaints about a lot of entertaining and party cookbooks is that the authors tout recipes that are supposed to be novel, new, and FUN, when in reality they come across as being fussy and cute.  This is why most of us are such fans of Ina Garten.  Her recipes are classic, tried and true, and tasty.  And although I haven't yet cooked any of Alex's recipes, I have a strong hunch that the same thing can be said of his.

The book is chock-full of recipes for Hors d'Oeuvres (Crab Tarts, Dorothy's Cheese Straws), Soups (Cold Pea Soup with Mint, Shrimp Bisque), Salads (Crab Salad with Bloody Mary Aspic), Eggs, Cheese, Grits, and Quiches (SoufflĂ© "Suissesse", Brooke's Confetti Grits), Vegetables and Side Dishes (Hash Brown Cake, Stewed Tomatoes), Seafood (Pecan-Crusted Salmon with Sauce Gribiche), Chicken, Turkey, and Pheasant (Chicken Pot Pie, Robert's Turkey Hash), Beef, Veal, Lamb, and Pork (Erlinda's Exquisite Short Ribs, Pulled Pork with Carolina Barbecue Sauce), Biscuits, Rolls, Bread, Pastry, and Crepes (Yeast Rolls, Sally Lunn Bread), and finally, Dessert (Peggy's Apricot Mousse, Priceless Pecan Bars).  See what I mean about chock-full?  What I also appreciate is that there is a chapter on sauces, including recipes for Orange Mayonnaise, Cucumber Sauce, and Hollandaise Sauce and its many variations.  While I often serve beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin, or poached salmon at my dinner parties, I will admit that I don't always serve a sauce on the side.  I'm certainly going to now.

The book is being released today, so if you're looking for a new book that will entice you to start cooking and entertaining, get thee to the bookstore and check out Alex's new book.  If you live in Atlanta, you might want to consider attending one of Alex's book signings next week.  Click here for more information.

16 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:17 AM

    Yum all of that food looks so delicious! Great post thank you. -b

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  2. Hi Jennifer -
    I have known Alex forever - grew up with him and many of these recipes. It's a terrific cookbook, the recipes are easy to follow and the food delicious.

    Hope to see you soon.
    Helen

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    1. Hi Helen, I think that his cookbook will be one of the hits of this fall's book releases. I can't wait to get better so that I can start cooking.

      Maybe I'll see you at one of his book signings?

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  3. We can't wait to have Alex in Nashville too! He's hosting a lecture and cookbook signing on October 16 and a chef's table featuring recipes from his new cookbook on October 17 as part of the Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville. Tickets can be purchased here: http://antiquesandgardenshow.com/

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    1. Rachel, Both events sound terrific. Enjoy!

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  4. Since I am from the south + live in LA, I can't wait to start cooking. XXpeggybraswelldesign.com

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    1. Peggy, I really think you'll enjoy this book. I'm really excited about it!

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  5. I was skeptical about this book, but after reading your post, I'm tempted to order it!

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    1. Hi Fab, I wish that I could get over my cold, because I am most anxious to try some of these recipes. It's a beautiful book, and the recipes are elegant enough for entertaining, and yet, they're comfortable and classic too. Some of the recipes remind me of my mother's entertaining as a young woman, back in the day when entertaining was a little more festive than it is today.

      Next time you're at the bookstore, flip through it. I think you'll enjoy it!

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    2. Bought it and love it! There are so many recipes that I want to try!

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  6. I read your blog for months and would like to tell you how excited I am.
    It's interesting and elegant together. I wish there was such a blog for
    the German-speaking countries.
    Best regards from Vienna

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    1. Dear Sanne, Thank you so much for that nice comment! It's so nice to meet you. Lucky you to live in Vienna. It's one of my very favorite cities!

      -Jennifer

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  7. Can't wait to add it to my collection! Love your blog!

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  8. Margaret12:01 PM

    Those food pics went straight to my stomach - the progression of courses. And to end with THAT CAKE!

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