As usual, I am full of apologies for being out of touch. But, also as usual, I have so busy with projects that I have found it difficult to keep the website updated. (As many of you know, I work behind the scenes with other cooks and food companies on their cookbooks, and while my name isn't prominent on everything, there has been plenty of cooking and writing going on here.) I want to be sure that you know about my latest books and upcoming classes, and share some new recipes.

On April 22, William Morrow will release the first in a series of seasonal cookbooks, Summer Gatherings. (Autumn Gatherings follows in September and the series will resume in Winter 2009 and Spring 2010.) This compact book features over 50 recipes with the produce of the season, and it is loaded with gorgeous photography by my friend Ben Fink. This is the way that I have been cooking for years, with as much local products as possible, and I've been able to share some of my favorite recipes.

Here are some previews, perfect for springtime cooking:

Fettuccine with Fiddleheads and Ham
Lamb and Mint Risotto
Meyer Lemon and Pistachio Bars
Chicken Breast and Baby Artichoke Fricassee

Other new books include two titles in the Williams-Sonoma Food Made Fast series. Grilling is available now everywhere. Make Ahead is exclusively at Williams-Sonoma now, and will be released everywhere in May.

You may see that the website has a new look. I had been asked to appear in a number of video stream cooking segments lately, and they are all archived here. You'll find grilling recipes and turkey tips, of course.

While I have cut back on my classes, I will be teaching at my usual venues, and I will be returning to Draeger's in the Bay Area, The Silo in Connecticut, and Market District in Pittsburgh, PA. For those of you who just can't get enough grilling classes, I have a great weekend-long seminar coming up at Ramekins in July.

I keep promising to start a food blog with my experiences on my daily recipe testing, but I can't imagine being responsible for writing any more than I am now! But, who knows...? However, I did get my blogging feet wet at www.epicurious.com with a Thanksgiving blog in November, and you can find the articles archived there.

I hope to see you at one of my classes or book-signings, and please remember that you can write me with your culinary questions.

Happy Cooking!

Rick