Thank you very much to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for the ARC of Lisa Steele’s yummy book “In Season!”

This was not the book to begin reading when all I had for lunch was a “bottom-of-the-crisper-drawer-hope-it’s-still-good” sad desk salad. The salads alone had me pre-ordering this cookbook (avocado-goat cheese-pecan salad with cherry-champagne vinaigrette! Nectarine panzanella with poached eggs!). As a vegetarian I am always looking for ways to liven up old standbys, and Steele doesn’t disappoint with delicious-sounding dishes such as Lemon-Butter Bath Corn on the Cob, carrots with cardamom and ginger, and vanilla parsnip puree.

There are four chapters devoted to eggs (!). I have always had a love/hate relationship with eggs; maybe Steele can change that. The desserts are swoon-worthy: blackberry basil ice cream, strawberry scones, pistachio pudding, pink grapefruit brulee…amazing. And I’m only in the Table of Contents.

Steele has advice on how to best store produce–very useful as I never seem to know if things will do well in the refrigerator or on the counter. She also offers instructions on harvesting and storing fresh herbs and how to properly dry them. As a new homeowner with my own yard and plans for a vegetable and herb garden, this is invaluable.

None of the recipes appear to be particularly complicated, though I will admit my skill with omelettes and crepes needs work. (A whole lot of work) In the back of the book are some seasonal menu ideas.

I have a feeling this book is going to become a favorite, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a printed copy.