As Fresh as It Gets

Today, increasing emphasis is being placed on the integrity of the way the food we eat is grown. We all dream about produce picked on a summer morning, making its way to our plates by noon. Christian Gaudreault, owner of Vancouver's Tomato Fresh Food Caf , has spent the last 15 years serving food straight from the farm with delicious results. In their first book, Christian and his wife Starllie share their best-loved and most sought-after recipes; at the heart of the book is their simple philosophy: if you learn how to let farmers' fields and local markets determine your menus, cooking at home can be a fun and uncomplicated experience.

These beautiful recipes feature ingredients that are farm-fresh but widely available in every part of the country. For Christian and Starllie, the heart of meal-making is about acknowledging and knowing where your food comes from; it's also about the communal aspect of eating, particularly at the Tomato, a casual, soul-enriching place where people from all walks of life sit down together and share the common bond of food.

The book features 32 full-color photographs, as well as insightful sidebars on how to pick out the best produce and meats, essential products for the pantry, and of course, a history of the tomato, in all its juicy glory.

Recipes include: Crab Cakes with Peppercorn Aioli; Pan-Seared Scallops with Mushroom Risotto; Grilled Long-Bone Pork Chop with Pear Chutney; Roasted Tomato & Artichoke Salad; Mediterranean Couscous Salad; Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho; Lemon Meringue Tart; Peach Blueberry Galette.