White Dog Cafe Cookbook: Recipes and Tales of Adventure from Philadelphia's Revolutionary Restaurant [Hardcover]

Activist, cook, restaurateur, envisionist, and humanitarian are just a few words that could describe the founder and owner of Philadelphia's White Dog Café, which Conde Nast Traveler called one of fifty American restaurants worth the journey". Judy Wicks, who started the restaurant in 1983 joins with her partner/chef, Kevin Von Klause, to write the White Dog Café Cookbook published by Running Press.
I have to be honest, when I first received this book to review my mind wasn't enthusiastic. I had heard of the activism of the owners, and just thought this would be a book pushing their personal philosophies and ideas. In a way, I was right, but in many more I was way off. This book shows compassion and dedication. While I may not understand, right now, where they stand on issues, I do understand that they bring people together with food and not only locally or regionally but globally. The book is more than a cookbook or a journey through incredible lands (which I have to admit, I would love to go on one of their next trips) but it is a story and true and heartfelt book. My biggest problem with restaurateurs, chefs or TV personalities usually trying to write a book for the first time, is that they are put together without much thought or planning, they are publicity gimmicks by the publishers or agents and that the people aren't ready to put a book together. White Dog Café Cookbook has become one of the few exceptions.
For those of you that have followed my reviews, you will know that one of my pet peeves about cookbook writers, are the ones (or their editors or publishers) that do not lay their books out properly, and too many times have their readers turning the pages to finish recipes. This book has kept almost every one of them on one page. Each recipe also included a brief introduction. Many of the recipes offered "other ways to do it". And the few that offered hard to find ingredients gave you option for substitution. My only complaint on this book really was that many of the personal photographs throughout the book were a little to dark and the recipe names were long.
The recipes included Oysters Stewed in Thyme Cream with Thyme Croutons, Sherried Lobster and Shrimp Crepes, Basil-Dressed melon and Prosciutto with Black Pepper-Orange Mascarpone, Ratatouille Bisque, Desert Garden Gazpacho with Margarita-Scallop Seviche, Creamy Mussel Chowder with Sorrel, Spinach and Fennel Salad with Curried Pears and Gorgonzola, Toasted Brioche with Ham and Brie, Moroccan-Spiced Lamb Burger with Pepper Relish, Smoked Chicken in Rosemary Cream with Bow-Tie Pasta, Spicy Chevre-stuffed Chicken Breasts with Roasted Corn Salsa, Chilled Roast Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Crème Fraiche, Center-Cut Pork Chops with Gorgonzola-Walnut Stuffing and Ruby Port Glaze, Caribbean Grilled Mahi Mahi with Tropical Fruit Salad, Tomato and Sweet Corn Risotto, White Cheddar and Red-skinned Potato Gratin, Roasted Vegetables Balsamico, Roasted Red Pepper and Shrimp Grits, Brioche French Toast with Apricot-Grand Marnier Sauce, Apple-Cranberry Deep-Dish Streusel Pie, White Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake, and Gingered Pear Chutney name just a few.
The book also tells stories, trips to Vietnam, Prison Gardens, Cuba and other locations in search of creating 'sister' restaurants and spreading the social and activist word to better all of us. It is an interesting book with 250 recipes that will tempt your palate as well as satisfy your appetite, and will also open your eyes to new and wonderful tales and experience. I definitely recommend this book for your shelf.

The book allows a person to prepare a special meal for two or a formal dinner for twelve. It can accomodate both kids and adults alike. Also, with its multi-cultural recipes you can enjoy different meals and never get bored with the food you are preparing. In addition to good food and easy to follow directions, you get a story behind some of the influences that have shaped the both the restaurant and the cook book. I would highly recommend this cook book to anyone. It would make a fine addition to anyone's cooking reference collection.

I love this cook book. I love reading it. I love cooking from it. If you are looking for something different to read or to cook, this is the book for you. The Black Bean soup is the best I have found. The layered meat loaf is wonderful. The authors' commitment to good food and good community is inspiring, and reminds me of the role food - its preparation and its consumption - can play in making the world a better place.