PLENTY MORE

YOTAM OTTOLENGHI, EBURY PRESS, $70

Many people complain that the Ottolenghi books are too complex. To me it isn’t complexity, it is detail. While an ingredient list or description may seem long, the recipes themselves are relatively straightforward. In typical Ottolenghi style there is the unexpected yet perfect combination of seemingly improbable ingredients. In Plenty More each recipe is preceded by an introduction – where it comes from, who or what inspired it, the personality of the dish so to speak. To cook the recipe without reading these is a bit like a blind date – you don’t quite know what you’re looking for.