Hand-cured olives, home-baked bread, fresh goat Before Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, the only way to enjoy these pure and simple flavors was to make them the old-fashioned way-by hand. This charming little guide will teach you how to blend your own mustards, crush grapes for wine, bottle vinegar at home, and more. Sure, you can buy these things at the neighborhood farmers market, but Alley's instructions are so easy, you'll be inspired to add her age-old techniques to your culinary repertoire. The sumptuous recipes at the end of each chapter enable you to put the fruits of your labor to good use.
Lynn Alley began her career as a cooking teacher at a middle school, where she and her students gained fame for selling handmade, gourmet items at Neiman Marcus. Since then, she has taught the art of cooking throughout the United States and France. Lynn has written for the San Diego Union Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, Fine Cooking, and many other publications.