"This books is for everyone who wants to learn to cook, or to become a better cook. I`m convinced that the underlying principles of good cooking are the same everywhere. These principles have less to do with recipes and techniques than they do with gathering good ingredients, which for me is the essence of cooking." (Alice Waters)

With an essential repertoire of timeless, approachable recipes chosen to enhance and showcase great ingredients, The Art of Simple Food is a must-have book for home cooks. Here you will find Alice`s philosophy on everything from stocking your kitchen, to mastering the fundamentals of basic cooking techniques, to preparing delicious, seasonally inspired meals all year long. Always true to her belief that a perfect meal is one that is balanced in texture, colour and flavour, Waters helps us embrace seasonal produce and make the best choices when selecting ingredients. Embark on a voyage of culinary rediscovery with her as she takes you by the hand and teaches you how to get the most out of your home cooking.

In The Art of Simple Food, Waters offers 200-plus recipes for these and other simple but savory dishes, like Spicy Cauliflower Soup, Fava Bean Purée, and Braised Chicken Legs, as well as dessert formulas for the likes of Nectarine and Blueberry Crisp and Tangerine Ice. In addition, readers learn (or become reacquainted with) the Waters mantra: eat locally and sustainably; eat seasonally; shop at farmers markets. These are the rules by which she approaches food and cooking, and hopes we will too. Organized largely by techniques, the book is a kind of primer, designed to free readers from recipe reliance.

"Some readers may look askance at advice that they search out sources for locally produced food, for example, given the everyday exigencies of shopping and getting meals on the table. Yet it is precisely the need to "remake" our relationship to food that, Waters contends, determines the ultimate success of all our cooking and dining, not to mention our health and that of the planet. This relatively small book has a large message, and good everyday recipes to back it up. (Arthur Boehm)