ladysprite | Cookbook Project, Book #198

"Martha Stewart Living Annual Recipes 2003"

I admit, I usually avoid Martha Stewart, other than the annual Holiday Cookie issue. I tend to find most of her stuff a little too fussy and overachieving, and with the magazine itself the recipes-to-other-projects ratio is too low to make it worth my buying. But I found this hardcover, in perfect condition, at my library's book sale for about $1. And.... well, it's full of really pretty pictures, which is one of my major cookbook downfalls. And did I mention it's in perfect condition, and it cost less than a Diet Coke?

So I bought it, and brought it home and started flipping through it. And unfortunately, much as I expected, most of the recipes are a little too fussy for my purposes. Most of them are for 4-6 people, making them just the wrong size, and most of them are a little too dinner-party to be useful for me - as much as I love my gaming group, I'm not about to feed them Roast Best End of Highgrove Lamb And Fava Beans with Mint and Marjoram, or Confit of Wild Salmon on Cucumber Salad.

But there were a few things that sounded interesting, and potentially both practical and tasty. And last week there was an evening when

umbran and I were both in the mood for a fairly light and creative supper, so we wound up making Artichoke Bruschetta.

And it was really, really good. Fresh ricotta, sauteed marinated artichoke hearts with a little garlic, and some shaved parmesan on good toasty bread. It was simple, and delicious, and I'm absolutely keeping this recipe to make again come high summer when it's too hot to cook.

Ultimately, it's a good book. Someday when I'm hosting a fancy dinner party I'll be grateful to have a book with recipes like Grilled Striped Bass with Corn and Clam Chowder Sauce. And I absolutely need to try the rice pudding tarts with blood oranges, if only for myself.....