This Summer S Words To Cook By

“Farmer John’s Cookbook: The Real Dirt on Vegetables,” by John Peterson. The farmer on the cover is holding a pitchfork and wearing overalls–and a red feather boa! It’s Whole Earth Catalog-style authenticity for the 21st century, and a story of redemption by CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). And try to catch the PBS documentary “The Real Dirt on Farmer John.” What a story.

“Kitchen Sense"by Mitchell Davis. At last, a book written for the home cook who can’t stomach yet one more recipe–though Davis supplies 600–but is starved for techniques. Here, the knowing sidebars matter most.

“Tasty,” by Roy Finamore. Let’s just say I have a prejudice: Finamore’s an editor and, like the rest of us, has seen enough dopey ideas to know what good is. His very basic book is shot through with the kind of practical advice only someone who’s seen it all would know.