International Night: A Father and Daughter Cook Their Way Around the World

Every week, Talia would spin the globe; wherever her finger landed became the "destination" for Friday's dinner. Fortunately for Talia, her father, Mark Kurlansky (Salt; Cod), is not only a professional chef but also an accomplished (and well-traveled) food writer. This work presents a full year's worth of recipes—52 meals from appetizer to dessert, inspired by countries from Tanzania to Kazakhstan. Each entry includes an essay about the location and/or the fare; the recipe notes are equal parts preparation and contemplation. Talia, who's now in eighth grade, comments throughout the book, which is intentionally kid-friendly (although children with less adventurous palates might find some weeks challenging). The majority of recipes will be accessible to home cooks with solid basic skills, and they're rated for difficulty. Ingredients should be found mostly at local grocery or specialty stores, though in smaller cities, readers may have to rely on the Internet.