The Big Sur Bakery Cookbook

by Michelle and Philip Wojtowicz, and Michael Gilson with Catherine Price

(William Morrow, $40)

Month by month, this magical book takes you through a year at a renowned restaurant perched along Highway 1 in rugged Big Sur, California. You’ll find stunning photographs, essays about life in Big Sur, profiles of local purveyors, and a collection of inspiring monthly menus, with recipes. The Big Sur Bakery is all about down-to-earth fare made with the freshest, best ingredients, so many of the recipes in this book are remarkably simple. There’s nothing difficult about making Braised Green Garlic; or Whole Rockfish, Scored and Charred; or Grilled Prime Rib Steak; or Roasted Apricots. The challenge for the home cook is in fi nding top-notch seasonal ingredients and then letting them sing.