«Homemaker's» Menu of the Month Cookbook

Mima Vulovic is a sessional lecturer at York University who also works
at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General.

Most home chefs tend to forget that planning a menu deserves as much
care as the artful preparation of food. Homemaker’s Menu of the Month
Cookbook is based on the premise that a great meal is more than the sum
of its parts—it is a comprehensive approach, an art of balance and
surprise.

The book is divided into seasonal categories that reflect both the
availability of fresh ingredients and the Canadian climate (e.g.,
stick-to-your-ribs winter menus, revitalizing spring tonics). Each
category features key themes (Thanksgiving, Christmas, a cabin weekend,
etc.) and considers such factors as number of guests and budget. While
Fireworks Buffet or St. Patrick’s Pub Dinner can accommodate many, the
Valentine’s affair is created only for two. Also, depending on the
health of your bank account, you may opt for either La Belle Cuisine or
Shoestring Entertaining.

With pragmatic issues out of the way, the book moves on to a
consideration of personal aesthetics and tastes. There are ethnic themes
(Australian Adventures, Indonesian Escape, Hong Kong Experience) and
luscious individual creations like Gaspé Oysters and Apple Soup,
Roasted Beat and Barley Risotto, and Seared Strip Loin with Foie-gras
Sauce. Each course is accompanied by wine-matching guidelines, courtesy
of LCBO experts. This glossy publication concludes with presentation
tips for enhancing the mood of both casual and elegant fare.