Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 87 BOOK REVIEW: FLAVORS UNDER THE BIG SKY I F YOU READ FOOD WRITER AND RADIO HOST STELLA FONG'S NEWEST BOOK, Flavors Under the Big Sky (and you should), have a snack first. Part cookbook and part treatise on regional fare featuring interviews with local producers, chefs and gourmands, the book is a fascinating read in the first place. But with the addition of some really lovely food photography, Flavors Under the Big Sky be- comes something more dangerous: all of the pictures look good enough to eat, but if you do try to eat them, the book represents a moderate choking hazard. The way the book is outlined favors the bold: there are sections for ingredients "Foraged and Hunted," which means that in order to cook the best version of the meal you have to find some of the items yourself, whether morel mushrooms or pheasant; or "Harvested and Collected," in the case of ingredients which can be picked, plucked or purchased. As someone who is a novice cook, I appreciated that the book features recipes for experts and newcomers alike. I opted to try making the creamy goat cheese polenta. Before long, I discovered that the dish was easy, even for me, and more importantly, delicious. Now, em- boldened by my experience, I have my eye on the "Big Sky Bison Burger with Blue Cheese, Caramelized Onions and Bacon." Flavors Under the Big Sky is a highly recommended book for food lovers from anywhere, but Montanans will partic- ularly appreciate the insightful essays and locally inspired recipes. Fong's book is available through her website, www. stellafong.com, or wherever fine books are sold. joyment and comfort there. I want others to feel the same way. THE ONE PLACE IN MONTANA THAT I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN IS... I have not been to Hamilton, Montana, a place everyone tells me is spectacularly gorgeous. ONE DAY, I HOPE TO... I would like to one day go to the moon. At one point in my life, I thought if I saved every penny, I would have the possibility of going but for now I can just dream and hope. WHEN I WANT A GUILTY PLEASURE, I REACH FOR... I always believed that when you eat something on the road, while traveling in a car, there was never an intake of calories so I would go for the ying and yang treat. A diet Coke with a Hostess Chocolate Cup- cake. I would eat the top first, saving my favorite part, the cake with the cream last! MY LIFE IN ONE SENTENCE... My life is a flavorful adventure. Make your own at home Big Sky Flavors

• Cover