Cookbooks & Classes

You're in good hands with Kelsie Kerr.

Long ago—like seven years ago—I published my first cookbook, Asian Vegetables with Chronicle Books. (I know, a hot topic. Let's just say it's a good book, but no best seller.) Oddly, based on this book—which has all of two grilling recipes—I was invited to participate in a big grill-fest in Seattle, along with some serious barbecue guys. I was the only woman. And pregnant at that.

My mother's family is Moroccan and to them, everything equals food. Visits from family: food. Saturdays: food. Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays: food. Getting on a plane = packing food. My suitcase from a recent trip to Toronto was, in fact, full of Tupperware containers of couscous, tagines and salads when I got home. Here’s how someone homesick for Moroccan copes:

We got a copy of Simply Organic (Chronicle Books) here in the 7x7 office this week. Written by Jesse Ziff Cool, a longtime local-and-sustainable advocate who owns three organic restaurants down in Palo Alto, it’s a hefty cookbook loaded with semi-glossy pages and gorgeous photographs by SF’s own France Ruffenach.

Happy Year of the Rat!

Check out these 7 things—all happening this week.

A really bad photo of a pretty cool custom cookbook.

Check out these 7 things—all happening this week.

1. A tailgating touchdown: Impress your pals by ordering Luna Park’s Tailgate Platter for Superbowl Sunday (the restaurant will take orders this Friday through the end of the game on Sunday). For some of us, it’s not about who wins or loses; it’s about the food—Niman Ranch BBQ chicken and ribs, coleslaw, French fries, beans and mashed potatoes.

We just put the finishing touches on our December/January issue (well, actually, we’re still in the final throes—our executive editor just passed around the cover for our review). For the upcoming food feature, Sara Deseran and our former intrepid intern, Roxanne, dug deep into the world of meat, researching charcuterie at restaurants all over town. Our definitive guide demystifies the offerings—a good read, to be sure.