Tyler's Ultimate

July 24, 2006
Were this book not to share a name with Florence's Food Network show, its existence would be a puzzle. As it is, it's hard to make heads or tails of this jumble of decent but not spectacular recipes that share only one thing in common: a forced "guy talk" manner. Chapters are arranged by type of dish, with titles like "Surf" for fish, and each opens with a throw-away introduction of a couple of paragraphs: "noodles are a great way to put a smile on somebody's face." Recipes are equally casual: once you've started the sauce for Coconut Shrimp with Basmati Rice and Apricots, you're told to "jump to the rice," and in the headnote to Angry Lobster with Tomato-Chile Butter and Arugula, Florence reminisces about working "at a mafia joint in Tribeca" patronized by men "from Jersey with pinky rings... and girls decked out in big hair and gold." Despite this sometimes off-key tone, instructions are clear, and each recipe helpfully comes with an estimated cooking time, most of them quick. Still, one can't help wishing that despite offering truly helpful advice (such as the tip not to shake the pan when making Oven Fries for crispier results), Florence would, in his own parlance, tune down the 'tude, dude.

September 15, 2006
Tyler -s Ultimate is also the name of Florence -s current Food Network show, and this companion volume is likely to be as popular as his two previous cookbooks, Eat This Book and Tyler Florence -s Real Kitchen. It is filled with zesty, full-flavored, mostly uncomplicated recipes, from Watermelon Gazpacho with Chile and Feta Cheese to Pan-Fried Lamb Chops with Harissa. Gorgeous full-color photographs illustrate many of the dishes. Florence has a friendly, unassuming style, and his enthusiasm is contagious. For most collections.

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.