Thyme in a Bottle

Book excerpt: In 1985 Ingrid Croce opened Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar as a tribute to her late husband, singer and songwriter Jim Croce. Attempting to recreate the warmth and energy from their early days of entertaining together, Ingrid infused Croce's with great food, live music and an inviting, casual atmosphere. She has since parlayed the success of this unbeatable combination into a group of popular restaurants and clubs as one of the pioneers in the rejuvenated Gaslamp district of downtown San Diego. Now many of the recipes that have made her restaurants famous are available here. Current culinary trends are reflected in the seasonal American cuisine and Southwestern fare of Ingrid's Cantina and Sidewalk Cafe in recipes such as Santa Barbara Sea Bass with Caramelized Onions and Fig, Ricotta Gnocchi with Wild Mushrooms and Sage, and Pacific Rim Tamales. Drawing on Ingrid's multicultural background and interests, Thyme in a Bottle features Italian favorites as interpreted by the Croce family, like Roasted Pepperonta Salad and Fried Zucchini Blossoms, as well as the Russian and Jewish classics of her childhood, such as brisket and tzimmes with kasha and varnishkas. Ingrid also reveals the secrets behind her own signature blitzes and "poppers." Interpreted with the recipes is Ingrid's own inspired story. She writes openly about her intense romance with Jim Croce, their happy but occasionally troubled marriage. She tells of the difficult repercussions of Jim's early death, from battles with the music industry to rearing a young son on her own. And she shares the challenges of starting a restaurant and becoming a real player in a notoriously competitive business. It is all told with such candor, warmth, and enthusiasm that by the time Ingrid concludes her story with personal and professional triumphs, we are cheering the heartening success of such a vibrant spirit. Fans of the late Jim Croce will delight in this collection of recipes and memoirs by his wife, Ingrid. Ingrid's inspiration comes from memories if the exceptional food and music that her and Jim created in their Pennsylvania farmhouse in the late sixties and early seventies. As proprietor of five award-winning San Diego restaurants and clubs, Ingrid has garnered an enviable reputation in the culinary world. In Thyme in a Bottle she serves up the delicious recipes that make her restaurant so successful as well as antedotes about her life and times. With its wonderful diversity of menus--from traditional Italian and Russian favorites to contemporary American and Southwestern cuisine--this warm and engaging cookbook is an excellent addition to any cook's library.