East fearlessly meets West, and many regions between -- in such first courses as Stirfried Scallop Salad and Spicy Honey-Glazed Baby Pork Ribs; in soups from Tortilla to delicate Cream of Corn with Gulf Oysters to hearty Clam and Mussel; in simple and sophisticated main dishes, such as Sizzling Catfish, Baby Pork Chops with Cranberry Sauce, and Chicken with Garlic and Parsley; in Spago's signature gourmet pizzas, such as Pizza with Smoked Salmon and Golden Caviar and Pizza with Shrimp and Sun-Dried Tomatoes; and in desserts that range from the subtle to the sublime, from the refreshing Grapefruit Tequila Sherbet to the decadent Jack Daniel's Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.
Every recipe, each a triumph of innovation, exemplifies Puck's unique style: a passion for blending the elements of cuisines the world over, a freshness and simplicity of ingredients and presentation, and, above all, a free and joyful approach to food. The guiding principle behind the creations that emerge from Puck's kitchens ("my playgrounds," he calls them) is that food should give great pleasure -- to the cook as well as to the diner.
Illustrated throughout with engaging drawings by Puck himself, here is an utterly original collection of great recipes -- and an utterly original culinary style -- that no cook will be able to resist adopting.
