The Meat Club Cookbook: For Gals Who Love Their Meat!

The premise - girls who get together to eat MEAT - and the format - trimmed out in vintage needlework - may be cute, but this book's utility is quickly evident. First there's the opening chapter on shopping (cuts, grades, organic), cooking techniques and equipment. Each chapter opens with a pink embroidered cow, pig or lamb illustrating their respective cuts and the recipes are step-by-step straightforward. This is a book for the kitchen. It's even spiral bound and modest-sized for easy use. There are recipes for every cut and once you get past the too-cute names: Busty Burgers Three-Way Filet, Slow-Lovin' Beef Brisket; there's a wealth of solid information and good ideas like the warm onion relish for steak, and burgers with blue cheese inside. Actually the cutesy names mostly peter out after the Beef chapter, giving way to more descriptive names like Tangy Tarragon Pork Roast and Bacon, Basil, and Apple Sandwich. Even a novice can turn out great chops, roasts, braises and stews with the Meat Club girls. --Portsmouth Herald