I Love New York

February 4, 2013
Humm and Guidara (Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook), chef and partners at renowned New York City restaurant Eleven Madison Park, were inspired to write their new book by asking the question, “What is New York Cuisine?” The pair set out to put together “a collection of recipes, but also a collection of ingredients that comprise them, and of the incredible men and women who work tirelessly to make existence a reality.” Humm selected 55 local ingredients, then drove around New York exploring farms (all, except for one, within 150 miles of N.Y.C.) and meeting the farmers responsible for producing these ingredients. The authors put an emphasis on simplicity; they explain that these dishes, which include interpretations of New York classics, and cover everything from entrees to drinks to desserts, “are meant to be cooked at home.” There are beautiful photographs of the food and the farmers themselves. Each short chapter highlights a specific farm or producer, as well as the foods it’s known for. Rosenkrans Farms in Seneca Falls is famous for its beef, and the section on the farm is followed by recipes for beef tartare and bone marrow, shallots, and anchovies. A recipe for farro salad with yogurt, cucumber, and melon accompanies the story of Cayuga Pure Organics in the Fingerlakes region, which produces grains. Other showcased products include chocolate, foie gras, honey, lobster, plums, potatoes, scallops, sheep’s milk cheese, tomatoes, and venison. I Love New York is a delightful cookbook and culinary guide.