Smart, thoughtful, and sophisticated, this is part of a series of small books ((5" x 7", 36 pages), which offer cooks a creative menu to share with a small group of friends or family (four to six people depending on how heartily they eat).

In Menu No 11, the ingredients mentioned in the subtitle might not make you suspect you'll be preparing:

• Tequila and cilantro cocktail
• Shredded beet salad with yogurt and cilantro
• Sauteed beet greens
• Tacos de carnitas de pato with blood orange salsa
• Ensalada de nopales with burrata
• Tortiere landaise (apples and cognac wrapped up in phyllo)

But that's part of the adventure in these small books.  Take the plunge!

Paperback.