The beautiful new Plum Gorgeous: Recipes and Memories from the Orchard -- Credits: Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Talented Bay Area author Romney Steele published her new cookbook, “Plum Gorgeous: Recipes and Memories from the Orchard,” on July 19, 2011 and she’s giving a reading on August 23 in Berkeley to celebrate.
Oakland resident Steele is the featured presenter at this unique evening, a monthly event coordinated by the “Cooks’ Book Club of Fourth Street” in collaboration with retail shop Books Inc. and venues Café Rouge and The Pasta Shop. The event begins at 6pm at The Pasta Shop (1786 4th Street) with food created from cookbook recipes, plus conversation between Steele and Rachel Saunders, author of the fabulous Blue Chair Jam Cookbook. They will be discussing “their love of all things fruit.” There will also be a panel discussion around the corner at Books Inc. (1760 Fourth Street) led by food blogger Sarah Henry.
“Plum Gorgeous” follows Steele’s successful 2009 cookbook-memoir “My Nepenthe,” which received praise from food visionaries such as Michael Pollan and Deborah Madison. As the granddaughter of the creators of renowned Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur, the author grew up at the family business and opened Café Kevah, located on the grounds of Nepenthe. Steele’s new book has 60 seasonally inspired recipes; some of these recall the year the author spent living in a Big Sur orchard. Savory recipes include Coriander Steak with Blackberry Vinaigrette, Blueberry Lemon Thyme Risotto, Fig Relish and Ham Sandwiches, and Kumquat Couscous Salad with Fried Haloumi Cheese. Sweet concoctions include Passionfruit Chocolate Truffles, Lemon Almond Cake, and Plum Soup with Basil Ice Cream. The beautiful book also features vivid color photographs by Sara Remington.
Something that Steele mentions in the introduction is her approach to recipes, which is refreshing. She encourages readers: “Use your imagination; feel free to substitute one fruit for another.” For example, she suggests making Pink Grapefruit Cassis Granita with blood orange juice, or switching blackberries for plums in a tart recipe. That is the best kind of cookbook, one that teaches and offers guidance while simultaneously offering flexibility and provoking creativity.
Monthly Cooks’ Book Club events occur on the fourth Tuesday of each month and rotate between three locations: Books Inc. and venues Café Rouge and The Pasta Shop. Wine and food are served, and attendees enjoy conversation with the authors plus recipes. Books and ingredients are always available for purchase. For more information, call (510) 250-6055.
If you can’t make this appearance, Steele will be at Readers’ Books in Sonoma on Saturday, August 27 at 2:30 pm. Learn more about Steele at her web site, http://www.romneysteele.com/.
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