HARRIOTT, AINSLEY — Ainsley\S Big Cook out

UK, BBC Books. 1999. Hardcover with dust jacket, 25cm. Book, 191 Ainsley-inspired pp, 800g to post. One of our favourite foodie presenters, the irrepressible Ainsley Harriott returns with another slap-up collection of prime barbie treats. This time Ainsley has been doing a spot of globetrotting, picking up hot outdoor dishes from Canada, the USA, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina for our delectation (and for the accompanying television series). For starters, a slew of flavour enhancers to get things going--marinades, glazes, salsas and sauces, spiced up with Ainsley's unique style of nomenclature, such as "Ooh-la-la Red Wine Marinade" or "Wicked Kicking Salsa". Then we're off with a collection of recipes that burst with flavour. Appetisers? Try "Silvana's Sizzling Snappy Mussels". Main Courses? For chicken, what about "Alabama Chicken Brummie Balti"? (Birmingham, Alabama, that is.) Or for meat, "Chilli and Mustard Crusted Leg of Lamb"? Vegetables are often at their most flavoursome grilled, like "Spicy Lime-Charred Corn on the Cob". Even desserts get the full barbecue treatment, such as the sumptuous "Oaxaca Chocolata Omeletta", a chocolate omelette stuffed with crème fraîche and grilled. Excellent/Excellent.