New Prairie Kitchen

Book excerpt: “A testament to the taste of place in all the best ways possible . . . hits all the perfect notes for anyone interested in regional cuisines” (Tracey Ryder, cofounder of Edible Communities, Inc.). New Prairie Kitchen profiles twenty-five of the most exciting and groundbreaking chefs, farmers, and producers of artisanal goods from Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Their personal stories are interspersed with more than fifty chef-contributed recipes that range from refreshingly simple to exquisitely gourmet. Organized by season, New Prairie Kitchen will transport readers to a revitalized Midwestern heartland where traditional favorites interweave with inspiring new flavors and techniques. Author Summer Miller introduces readers to the phenomenal talent emerging from America’s breadbasket: farms that grow asparagus thick as your thumb and tender as a strawberry; dairies that produce fresh, natural milks and cheeses; and nationally recognized restaurants that make these mouthwatering ingredients into edible art. Pioneering chefs across the prairie have taken an old-meets-new approach to their cuisine, sourcing traditional staples from local sustainable farms, and incorporating them into recipes in new and thrilling ways. Beautiful full-color photography and terrific storytelling will lead readers through a wonderful diversity of cooking styles and recipes sure to appeal to any palate. New Prairie Kitchen will reveal a fresh take on farm-to-table cooking and inspire Americans from coast to coast to try everything the prairie has to offer. “A passionate . . . plea for the Plains states’ inclusion in the American culinary lexicon, with great recipes to boot.” —Epicurious “The recipes and producers here are indeed treasures, and the book is the treasure map.” —Omaha Magazine