Cookbook Profile: Casual Cooking

Michael Chiarello's Casual Cooking

Wine Country Recipes for Family and Friends

by Michael Chiarello with Janet Fletcher

Casual Cooking
From Michael Chiarello, author of The Tra Vigne Cookbook, comes a collection of recipes on his favorite subject-and the favorite subject of home cooks everywhere-preparing meals for family and friends. These treasured recipes marry the rich traditions of his Italian culinary heritage with the casual style and fresh flavors of the Wine Country. Each outhwatering dish—such as Tuscan Shrimp with White Beans, Chicken with Rosemary and Lemon Salt, and Italian Fruit Salad with Sta Bene Honey Zabaglione—is sophisticated, yet simple to prepare. Gorgeous color images by award-winning photographer Deborah Jones show dishes that look too good to be this easy! The companion volume to his new 26-part series on public television, Michael Chiarello's Casual Cooking is perfect for stress-free weekday meals and spontaneous gatherings of friends and family. It doesn't get any better than this.

Michael Chiarello is the best-selling author of The Tra Vigne Cookbook, the cookbook of one of the most popular restaurants in Napa Valley, which he co-founded, and Flavored Oils and Flavored Vinegars. In addition to his new TV series, being carried on 150 public television affiliates nationwide, he is the host of radio's Another Bite, syndicated to 400 stations, and creator of NapaStyle gourmet foods. He lives in Napa Valley.

Janet Fletcher is a staff writer for the San Francisco Chronicle and author of The Cheese Course, Fresh from the Farmers' Market, and Pasta Harvest. She also lives in Napa Valley.

Deborah Jones is the recipient of an International Association of Culinary Professionals award for her photography, which appears in many cookbooks, including A Perfect Glass of Wine and the Vegetarian Table series. She lives in San Francisco.

Buy the Book!

Michael Chiarello's Casual Cooking
Wine Country Recipes for Family and Friends
by Michael Chiarello with Janet Fletcher
Chronicle Books
Photographs by Deborah Jones
ISBN 0811833836
$35.00 Hardcover
216 pp; 109 color photographs
Information provided by the publisher.