Malibu Farm Cookbook - Recipes from the California Coast

Malibu, California is one of those places that cannot be described in entirety until you have actually felt the sand fill between your toes and breathed the crisp, salty-sweet ocean air. About 75 years ago Malibu was a sleepy town, populated with some of the surfing world's greats like Miki Dora and Greg Noll. Fast-forward to today, and you will find a Malibu that has much changed. The beach is still a central focal point, but the population is different. Rich and famous abound, there mind-blowing homes nestled along the coastline. My days as a fine dining server at a local country club taught me that where there are rich people, there is going to be food. Delicious food. Just like the kind you will find being served at Malibu Farm. Situated at the end of a pier, past the locals holding fishing poles, you will find this humble restaurant. Although they are not serving your typical fried fish and burgers - options that always seem to be available at the end of a pier, they pride themselves in preparing locally-sourced produce and sustainable meats, fresh-squeezed juices, and honey harvested from their own bees.

At initial inspection, I thought this book was going to be a snooty, destined to be put on display rather than put to use regularly. The kind of book with insane demands for ultra-fresh and equally rare ingredients. To my fantastic relief, this book is nothing what I had imagined. Sure, the author does put a priority on using amazing ingredients. However the recipes are simplistic and refined, and pleasantly composed. Exactly like dishes that you get from a restaurant. Try the grilled smashed potatoes with parmesan and roasted garlic, a lovely twist for your next side dish. Salmon with grain mustard, and tenderloin of beef with horseradish sound really good as well. One caution though: if you are not moderately confident in your cooking skills, you may find the steps to each recipe a bit confusing and frustrating though. The photographs of Malibu are enjoyable, conjuring up memories of family road-trips to the beach, saltwater taffy wrappers littering our sun-bleached beach towels. The pictures of the food are brilliantly depicted, without the over-polished and staged look that you will find in most cookbooks.

Overall Malibu Farm Cookbook does a terrific job of presenting California flavors in a fresh and humble manner. Even if you have never been to Malibu or California for that matter, this book can take you there without hesitation. Definitely a welcome addition to my cookbook library.




I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my review.

Around the Fire - Recipes for Inspired Grilling and Seasonal Feasting from Ox Restaurant

It's Spring time and the weather is starting to warm up, at least for those of us living on the west coast. Soon the air around your neighborhood will be filled with tantalizing flavors of grilled meat and vegetables, as backyard BBQ's and gas-fired grills are resurrected. To accompany this year's open-fire cooking schedule, I picked up a copy of Around the Fire cookbook hoping for new recipes and twists on old favorites alike. I have heard great things about the author's restaurant, Ox, which is located in Portland, Oregon. After reading this book, visiting the restaurant has earned a place on my bucket-list. 

Thumbing through the text, I knew almost immediately that this book would make a solid addition to my library. There are books that you just know are going to be worth your hard-earned cash when you see them. My first stop landed on the clam chowder with smoked beef marrow bones, green onions and jalapeno. My taste buds perked right up when I saw that recipe. I think I will save that recipe for the Fall when the leaves have turned and the weather is a bit cooler. Dishes more appropriate for the warm months include grilled maple-brined pork chops and grilled spot prawns with garlic and sumac. Saddle those with a side of grilled sweet onions or portobello mushrooms and get ready for smiles all around your table. For a dazzling ending to an amazing backyard feast, try the cool, clean sweetness of pineapple-cucumber sorbet. The bright flavors of the pineapple coupled with the palette-cleansing abilities of cucumber do not disappoint.

The book has about 100 recipes, so definitely something for everyone, and there is also recipes included for several cocktails and desserts. Even if you do not cook over and open fire often, there is knowledge to be found in this text that will elevate your meals. The recipes are straightforward and focus on execution and preparation. This is one of those books that makes you hungry even though you just finished eating. The included photographs are spectacular, imbibing the reader with colorful images of open-fire cooking from various locales. This is more than a simplistic text about grilling chicken or steak. This is for the next-level home cook that wants to combine the simple and often times humble ingredients into amazing dishes.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review.