Graze

Book excerpt: An accessible, mouthwatering collection of more than 80 recipes for small bites, tapas, and charcuterie spreads “Graze is the most useful cookbook I’ve seen in a long time. It’s perfect for the way we eat now: simple food, big platters, big flavors.”—Diana Henry, author of Simple: Effortless Food, Big Flavours Grazing is an enchanting way to eat. It means skipping from dish to dish, tasting different things without committing to a single one. It’s about creating multiple dishes that work together as a meal, that all share a theme, an aesthetic. When she entertains, or even pulls together a quick dinner for just two, food stylist Suzanne Lenzer enjoys this tapas-style of eating—and with her guidance, you can too. In Graze, chapters are organized by level of involvement, from simply slicing veggies (“Mostly Chopping”) to cooking up lavish spreads (“Worth the Effort”). Whip up fast and easy Prosciutto, Asparagus, and Arugula Rolls and Three-Tomato Panzanella on a busy weeknight or indulge in Flaky Cheddar Biscuits with Heirloom Tomatoes and Peaches, Shredded Potato Cakes with Ramps, and Lemon-Tarragon Chicken Skewers on the weekend. And to finish off the meal, try desserts like Brown Butter Brownies and Lemon-Lavender Posset. Making delicious, beautiful dishes and snacks for grazing, whether for two or twelve, doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. With simple, no-nonsense tips on how to stock your pantry, sample menus, and easy-to-modify recipes, Graze is the ultimate resource for preparing healthy, wholesome, and appetizing food without spending hours in the kitchen.