Fanzine Extravaganza!

"Top Chef - The Cookbook" by Brett Martin with an intro by Tom Colicchio Chrnoicle Books 256 pages $29.95

This might be considered a treasure for viewers of a TV show called "Top Chef" who have short-term memory loss. Each season is lovingly detailed, complete with bios on all of the participants, their cooking philosopies. Each recipe is extensively detailed as to chef, Season #, Episode # and the Elimination Challenge: "Cook the best meal of your life!" (Macademia Nut Gazpacho with Pan-Roasted Moi Fish" doesn't sound all that good to me...)

Illustrated with copious photos of contestants, competition sites and detailed lists of menus for each Top Chef finalist.

For Oddity Collectors, may I present:

BANANA GUACAMOLE (A dessert topping)

1/2 cup fresh lime juice
4 teas. fresh ginger juice
1/2 cu sugar
Pinch of red pepper flakes, to taste
4 ripe bananas
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro + more for garnish
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil + more for garnish
2 T chopped fresh taragon + more for garnish (I'm starting to think "Banana mush with haystack on top ...)

Put the lime juice, ginger juice, sugar and red pepper flakes in a sauce pan and heat to simmer; simmer for 10 minutes until it gets 'syrupy." Mash the bananas separately, stire in the syrup and add the cilantro, basil and tarragon. Serve over chocolate ice cream