Research surveys have repeatedly shown that when families eat dinner together, parents and their children benefit enormously — emotionally, psychologically, and physically. Now, to help make the preparation of great-tasting, home-cooked meals easier for every cook, Today's Kitchen Cookbook (Meredith Books; September 2005; $24.95) provides more than 120 delicious recipes from a star-studded repertoire of chefs, restauranteurs, and cookbook authors who have been featured on Today, the NBC morning show.
For the first time, one of Today's most popular segments has become the basis of an enticing cookbook, with the show's hosts, Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Al Roker, and Ann Curry adding their own favorite recipes to the mix of mouth-watering delights. In addition to the cornucopia of savory and succulent foods, through the generosity of contributors to Today's Kitchen Cookbook, a significant donation will be made to the The T.J. Martell Foundation, which supports innovative research into the treatments and cures of leukemia, cancer and AIDS, and was founded in 1975.
Before he died of leukemia, T.J., son of music industry executive Tony Martell, asked his dad to raise $1 million for a cure, as he said, so no other child would have to go through what he went through. The Foundation has now contributed $200 million to cancer research at nine laboratories throughout the United States.
With headquarters in New York, it includes the Neil Bogart Memorial Fund in Los Angeles and the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories in Nashville. The Foundation recently added a Midwest division with headquarters in Minneapolis and chapters in Chicago and Detroit, and a Women's division, which focuses on women's cancers and other health issues. For more information, visit the Foundation's web site at www.tjmartellfoundation.org.
Like the show itself, Today's Kitchen Cookbook is filled with ideas and information people know they can trust toward creating and enjoying a more fulfilling and pleasurable lifestyle. Lavish illustrations, easy-to-follow steps, and helpful tips from featured chefs make it simple for everyone to bring the best-of-the-best in today's cuisine into their own homes.
Stellar chefs Daniel Boulud, Jacques Pepin, Nobu Matsuhisa, Tom Colicchio, Todd English, Charlie Palmer, Cary Neff, the Scotto Family, and others join Coleman Andrews, Suzanne Somers, Sandra Lee, Sharon Osbourne, Alice Waters, Tanya Holland, and Aaron Sanchez, all offering mouth-watering delights. There is Tyler Florence's Watermelon Gazpacho, Ina Garten's Fresh Corn Salad, Steven Raichlen's Kansas City Sweet and Smoky Ribs, Sal Scognamillo's Seasoned Bread Crumb Shrimp Scampi, Mario Batali's Marinated Butternut Squash, B. Smith's Potato Leek Pancakes, Donata Maggipinto's Dried Cherry-Rhubarb Relish, and Ivy Stark's Honey Almond Cake. Katie offers her special Lemon Chicken, Matt treats us to Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe, Al spices up the day with his Chili, and Ann suggests a sweet finish with her orange-flavored Sugar Cookie recipe. Nutritionist and chef Debbie Martell, T.J.'s sister, adds her own Barley "Risotto" with Spinach, Tomatoes & Chick Peas.
"The meals you and your family will be able to prepare from this book are like the ones T.J. and I prepared years ago," says T.J.'s dad and music industry executive Tony Martell in the foreword to Today's Kitchen Cookbook. "They will reward you with memories that will last a lifetime."
The T.J. Martell Foundation has now contributed $200 million to cancer research, and has designated funds from the sale of Today's Kitchen Cookbook to seek a breakthrough in the treatment of colon cancer, which claimed the life of Katie's husband in 1998.
Divided into sections for easy reference, Today's Kitchen Cookbook provides a multitude of dishes that are:
• Simple, Healthy & Quick — flavorful and fast-to-fix appetizers, entrees, and desserts
• A Gourmet Feast — a little extra time produces magnificent meals
• Casual Cuisine — easy-going fare for impromptu parties and laid-back weekends
• Family Gatherings — great home cooking and fresh twists on old favorites
• Holiday Menus — leading chefs host a New Year's Day Breakfast, Valentine's Day Sweetheart Dinner, Celebrate Spring Brunch, 4th of July Picnic, Halloween Spook-tacular Party, Thanksgiving Feast, and Holiday Dinner Italian Style
These, plus anecdotal Q&A pages and holiday memories with the "Today" hosts, add to the festivities and fun, and make Today's Kitchen Cookbook the reference that home cooks will reach for again and again. Combining Katie, Matt, Al and Ann's light-hearted humor with lip-smacking servings for every time of day and year, Today's Kitchen Cookbook helps make home-cooked meals healthy and hassle-free, all while supporting the legacy of young T. J. Martell: his wish that others will benefit from the cancer research carried on in his name.
