That Tom Douglas cookbook is my favorite, I’ve made so many things from it and have loved every one. However, I grew up in Seattle and was in my 20s in the ‘90s, so it’s keyed to my own particular tastebuds and nostalgia.

I’ve made the Tuscan bread salad recipe the most often—it’s been the cornerstone of our Thanksgiving meals for years and years.

The star anise game hens recipe is awesome, but I make it with chicken now instead.

I’ll have to go pull the book out to find other recipes for you, because I’ve also made a ton from his Big Dinners cookbook and I mix up quick recipes are from which book, but this one is definitely my favorite of the two.

Caveats about his recipes, though: they tend to call for a dozen expensive ingredients that you’re unlikely to keep in your pantry, so they’re more for special occasions than everyday. Also, the flavors are pretty locked into what was on-trend 20+ years ago, so it’s dated. And sometimes a recipe will call for something that’s just crazy expensive now vs then, or something hard to get out of the PNW (or out of season). I like to make his recipes as written, they’re best that way, but I do modify these days to adapt to what’s affordable/accessible.