Taverna: The Best of Casual Mediterranean Cooking (Casual Cuisines of the World)

Caramelized Orange Custard, Figs Stuffed with Chocolate and Almonds, Fried Mussels with Nut Sauce, and Cheese-Filled Pastries are just a taste of the delightful nibbles captured in Joyce Goldstein's Taverna. Whether at the Greek taverna, the Turkish lokanta, the Portuguese tasca, or the Spanish taberna, small plates of delicious foods to be savored with wines and coffees and the gossip of the day are the rule of thumb. Greek Salad, Eggplant and Tomato Pilaf, and Stewed Clams with Ham make you want to pull up a chair and seat yourself at the village table. Be prepared to stay at this particular taverna for quite some time, so delicious are the possibilities. Joyce Goldstein has a flair for recipes that capture the heart and soul of the Mediterranean, making the foods of this region accessible to kitchens everywhere. --Schuyler Ingle