Thyme in a Bottle: Memories and Recipes from Ingrid Croce's Restaurant

by Ingrid Croce

In 1985 Ingrid Croce opened Croce's Restaurant and Jazz Bar as a tribute to her late husband, singer and songwriter Jim Croce. Attempting to recreate the warmth and energy from their early days of entertaining together, Ingrid infused Croce's with great food, live music and an inviting, casual atmosphere. She has since parlayed the success of this unbeatable combination into a group of popular restaurants and clubs as one of the pioneers in the rejuvenated Gaslamp district of downtown San Diego. Now many of the recipes that have made her restaurants famous are available here. Current culinary trends are reflected in the seasonal American cuisine and Southwestern fare of Ingrid's Cantina and Sidewalk Cafe in recipes such as Santa Barbara Sea Bass with Caramelized Onions and Fig, Ricotta Gnocchi with Wild Mushrooms and Sage, and Pacific Rim Tamales. Drawing on Ingrid's multicultural background and interests, Thyme in a Bottle features Italian favorites as interpreted by the Croce family, like Roasted Pepperonta Salad and Fried Zucchini Blossoms, as well as the Russian and Jewish classics of her childhood, such as brisket and tzimmes with kasha and varnishkas. Ingrid also reveals the secrets behind her own signature blitzes and "poppers." Interpreted with the recipes is Ingrid's own inspired story. She writes openly about her intense romance with Jim Croce, their happy but occasionally troubled marriage. She tells of the difficult repercussions of Jim's early death, from battles with the music industry to rearing a young son on her own. And she shares the challenges of starting a restaurant and becoming a real player in a notoriously competitive business. It is all told with such candor, warmth, and enthusiasm that by the time Ingrid concludes her story with personal and professional triumphs, we are cheering the heartening success of such a vibrant spirit. Fans of the late Jim Croce will delight in this collection of recipes and memoirs by his wife, Ingrid. Ingrid's inspiration comes from memories if the exceptional food and music that her and Jim created in their Pennsylvania farmhouse in the late sixties and early seventies. As proprietor of five award-winning San Diego restaurants and clubs, Ingrid has garnered an enviable reputation in the culinary world. In Thyme in a Bottle she serves up the delicious recipes that make her restaurant so successful as well as antedotes about her life and times. With its wonderful diversity of menus--from traditional Italian and Russian favorites to contemporary American and Southwestern cuisine--this warm and engaging cookbook is an excellent addition to any cook's library.

Genres: Cookbooks

278 pages, Hardcover

First published May 3, 1996

Reviews

[Jennifer]

Wow! This is a very heartfelt autobiography by Ingrid Croce, who lost her singer / songwriter husband, Jim Croce, at a very young age, when his plane crashed on the way to a concert in 1973. Ingrid, who was a singer / songwriter herself, was left with a lot of questions and a small child to now raise on her own. Although Jim was at the top of the charts when he died, Ingrid had to fight for every penny that was due her from the record companies, in a hard fought battle that went on for ten years. There were also happy times, too, before and after Jim's death, along with a lot of wonderful recipes, which are included throughout the book. Ingrid eventually found satisfaction opening several restaurants and bars in the San Diego area, where her son, AJ Croce, would sometimes perform. I also enjoyed the sweet pictures included in the book, as well.