BOOKS

Chef Franco Lania began his career in the culinary industry more than 20 years ago. He’s a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, London and is also a certified Master Chef  (CIF) from  Castigliole d’ Asti, Italy.

Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s traveled the world on a culinary journey that has gotten him on the best cruise ships known for their restaurants,  and working in some of the greatest restaurants in London, Milan, Miami, New York and Los Angeles. I have really enjoyed learning about all of his adventures!

He’s worked on the famed Oceania Cruise Line where he got the opportunity to meet Jacques Pepin! Franco’s  been thinking about writing a cookbook for a while and early this year he decided the time was now! That’s when he contacted me…the Cookbook Coach!

We are excited about this collaboration as we now have 4 more books planned for the near future!

This first book will be a memoir of his travels and the knowledge he has gained along the way – about food, cooking, and life!

A variety of recipe books will follow and they promise to be full of all the fantastic recipes and the “secrets” Franco has learned during his diverse career and travels.

Chef Franco has appeared on the TV Food Network on an episode of “Challenge” which aired August 4, 2010.

Stay tuned!

To learn more about Franco Lania, visit his site.

“The Secrets of Cookbook Writing”, by Laura Denktash

This is the long-awaited sequel to the original course materials “The 7 Secrets of a Self-Published Cookbook.” More new information will be shared  starting with visualizing your project,  organizing your thoughts, to how to arrange a book signing event!

This book is based on the experience of author Laura Denktash, who first self-published her own cookbook in 2007, The Rose Cookbook – a Treasury of Rose Recipes from Around the World.

Now in her fourth year teaching other cookbook writers how to become successful authors, Laura shares all of her hard-won secrets. You’ll benefit from all the mistakes she made along the way, as she corrected and perfected her system.

Learn about the “right time” to begin buzzing your book. Establish yourself as an expert in your field, create your author’s platform. Learn the value of blogging for authors and the secrets to using social media to your advantage without being a slave to your computer!

Do you have problems staying focused? No problem, Laura’s system will keep you on track, and keep you busy. You will have your book completed in no time! And, more importantly, you will have fun doing it! If you have been dreaming of writing a cookbook, now is the time to take action!

Available Winter 2010.

“El Dorado Hills Cookbook” – A compilation, community-based cookbook project by Balanced Rock Press

This cookbook will be a compilation cookbook of recipes submitted by the residents and business owners  of El Dorado Hills, CA.

El Dorado Hills is a beautiful community nestled in the Sierra foothills of California where residents enjoy a vast array of recreational activities and a healthy outdoor lifestyle.

Ten percent of all sales of the El Dorado Hills Cookbook  will be donated to the Grace Foundation of Northern California.

The Grace Foundation is an equine rescue and rehabilitation facility located in El Dorado Hills, CA. They provide critical care and rehabilitation for abused and neglected horses and utilize the rescued horses for equine assisted learning and therapeutic programs for youth and children.

Their purpose is to protect, care for, and heal these important groups – children and abused/neglected animals.

Balanced Rock Press, founded and based in El Dorado Hills has determined the Grace Foundation of Northern California, a 501(c) (3) Non-Profit organization,  to be worthy and needing of support. In our small way, we hope to raise awareness, promote participation and  to help the Grace Foundation  continue the wonderful and much-needed  service they provide each and every day. To learn more about the Grace Foundation of Northern California, visit their site.

For more information about getting  involved with the El Dorado Hills Cookbook project,  submiting  a recipe, or becoming a sponsor for the El Dorado Hills Cookbook project, visit the El Dorado Hills Cookbook site. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

“Brooklyn Babe Sizzlin’ in the Kitchen” by Deirdre Mercedes

This very exciting cookbook is a product of author Deirdre Mercedes’ childhood. Growing up in Brooklyn, Deirdre had the pleasure of enjoying many cuisines. However, her favorites have always been Italian and West Indian dishes as only transplanted Italians and  Islanders can create them.

She wanted to make these recipes as simple as possible without compromising flavor and imagination. Most of the ingredients can be found in your local supermarket and you won’t need to purchase or borrow any extravagant equipment. Here are some tips to get you sizzlin’…

• Deirdre loves garlic, rosemary and ginger …but mostly garlic. Most recipes have lots of garlic!
• Sharpen your knives because most herbs and all vegetables are fresh.
• It’s been about 15 years or so since she started to cut red meat out of her diet. Therefore, you won’t find any in this book. For that matter, you won’t find any of the “other white meat” dishes in the book either.
• You’ll undoubtedly recognize the Italian influence in many of her recipes. Deirdre fell in love with Italian food when she was just a little tyke.
• There’s a West Indian flare to some of the recipes as well – Many people in her life provided her with a taste of the islands and she has faith that this gift will remain in her heart and soul forever.
• Did we mention that usage of a lot of garlic? There is never, ever, ever-ever-ever, too much garlic!

We’re sure that you’ll enjoy the recipes and the stories behind them. Look for Brooklyn Babe Sizzlin’ in the Kitchen in 2011!

To learn more about Deirdre and the “Brooklyn Babe,” visit her site

“The Radiant Cougar Woman – Super-Foods and PURR-FECT Recipes to keep you Happy, Healthy and Glowing!” by Laura Denktash with Chef Franco Lania

When was the last time someone said you were “glowing?”If it’s been a while, then this book is for you!

The Radiant Cougar Woman is a blueprint for a nutritious, high-energy way of eating that’s packed with everything a cougar woman needs to feel vital and look radiant. And… that will have a positive effect on the man in your life, in more ways than one!

If you follow the blueprint, your body will respond by giving you back shiny hair, luminous skin, clear eyes, new-found energy and an overall radiant glow of good health.

There’s no doubt in my mind…good health supports happiness. If you don’t feel your best, your mood is affected.

When you feel good, and look good, the rest can get a lot easier. If you want  to have the energy to pursue your dreams – and go all out, then this book is for you!

If you  don’t want you to say you’re too tired to follow your dreams or give up on what’s in your heart, then this book is for you!

When you’re properly nourished and lead a balanced life and feel good, you can make good things happen with less effort. Everything is more fun when you feel and look your best!

The recipes focus on the “super foods” What’s great about choosing the super foods is that you’ll be increasing the amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, which is a good thing. But it’s not going to be lacking flavor or boring. We’ve  blended in flavorful herbs and spices to heat things up!

We’ll  be using olive oil exclusively. Olive oil is the healthiest source of fat. The style of cooking is based on the Mediterranean diet with influence from the “Blue Zones.” The Mediterranean diet is known to be very healthy promoting longevity and preventing heart disease and certain forms of cancer.

I can’t wait to share these recipes with you. Many of them have been gathered during our extensive travels to the Mediterranean regions. Goodness knows Americans are consuming far too much processed food, and we know that poor food choices add to the stress we are already subjected to.

This book will get couples into the kitchen to have some fun together while creating, eating, and yes, feeding each other some wholesome meals!

Get the GLOW that comes from within…be RADIANT! Available mid 2011.

For the Love of Cherries, by Laura Denktash with Chef Franco Lania

Who doesn’t love cherries? They are one of the fleeting treats of summer that must be enjoyed fresh as many opportunities as possible. Cherries are good for you and good for y9ur heart They bring gladness to the soul.

Cherries are not only good for you, but they’re also on trend as a homegrown “Super Fruit.” According to recent data, more than 9 out of 10 Americans want to know where their food comes from, nearly 80 percent say they’re purchasing “locally produced” products, and the majority is defining “local” as grown in America. Cherries deliver!

A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as either dried, frozen cherries or cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries) vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.

Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits – from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body’s natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process.

A recent study from the University of Michigan reveals new evidence linking cherries to heart health benefits. The study found that a cherry-enriched diet lowered total weight, body fat (especially the important “belly” fat), inflammation and cholesterol-all risk factors associated with heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, being overweight or obese, in particular when the weight is concentrated in the middle, is a major risk factor for heart disease. As nearly two out of three Americans are overweight, emerging studies like this are important in examining the role diet may play in disease management and prevention.

“For the Love of Cherries” will leave no stone unturned. The recipes will be creative and you’ll find cherries turning up everywhere and in the most unexpected places! Cherries have long been used in recipes all over the world and are known for their nourishment, meaty texture, and sweet and tart flavor. Learn to cook both  savory and sweet dishes with one of the all-time favorite fruits!

Available in the Summer of 2011.

The Rose Cookbook – a Treasury of Rose Recipes from Around the World, by Laura Denktash

Fall in love in the kitchen while learning to create sweet and savory dishes with the world’s most beloved flower—the rose.  The Rose Cookbook will transport readers to a place where rose petals meet their botanical relatives in a lively collection of recipes that are sure to be the hit of any celebration.  Rose petals breathe new fun and sophistication into tea parties, add romance to dinners, and lend a touch of bed and breakfast charm to Sunday morning brunches!

With 300+ rose recipes from all over the world, The Rose Cookbook is steeped in history and anecdotes, offering cooks of all levels an opportunity to use roses in the kitchen in a fun, exciting, and new way.  Always elegant, The Rose Cookbook will inspire and entertain readers—cooks and gardeners alike.

With an expanded section devoted to tea time and entertaining, women and men of all ages will enjoy creating recipes that will surprise and impress party guests, making even the smallest gathering, a memorable occasion!  The recipes in The Rose Cookbook can be enjoyed at anytime, and will be equally pleasurable at special occasions, full-blown parties, meals with family, or with a simple cup of tea, enjoyed in peace and solitude.

Readers will learn that botanically, the rose has some health-giving family members including apples, peaches, plums, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and almonds.  The author has taken a natural and intuitive approach to combining rose petals and rose flavorings with these fruits in many of the dessert and main course recipes.  The end results will show that these related ingredients compliment each other, bringing food and flowers to the table in a creative and beautiful way.

The Rose Cookbook will delight everyone with its wide variety of tantalizing main dishes, sumptuous desserts, elegant tea sandwiches, jams, sauces, beverages and beauty recipes, along with some interesting rose history, anecdotes and quotations.  Cooking with roses is fun, and garnishing a dish with rose petals brings joy to the cook, captivates guests, and fascinates children!

Originally self-published in 2007, The Rose Cookbook second edition will be re-released by Balanced Rock Press in the fall of 2011. The new edition will include color photos.

The Mediterranean Goddess Cookbook, by Laura Denktash with Chef Franco Lania

Take a journey back in time to the days of the mythological goddesses of the beautiful and historic Mediterranean region. Explore the ancient and symbolic foods that represent the various goddesses. This book promises to be full of delicious recipes that are healthful and simple to prepare. Explore Italy from the perspective of the goddess Athena.

Travel to Cyprus, to Aphrodite’s rock , the legendary place where Aphrodite is said to have set foot onto the shores of the beach. Discover Egypt through the eyes of Isis. Sail the beautiful turquoise seas to Crete and Rhodes. Discover some lesser known mythological goddesses in Greece and Turkey.

Cooking with the foods of the region, you will explore simple but ancient recipes that remain timeless. We will ask, what would Athena eat?

We will also explore how to set the table for each of the goddesses using color, and symbology. If you love Mediterranean food, this book will present it to you with a new and exciting twist!

Available in the Fall of 2011.

CHECK BACK FOR MANY NEW TITLES COMING SOON!!