Lush Life

A California Dream of a Cookbook

"A charming take on California cuisine... This well-crafted cookbook serves as an excellent guide to living in tune with nature and the seasons." — Publishers Weekly

The recipes and photos explode with vibrant colors and images that make me long for Val’s focused and rich California cooking. Lush Life truly captures all that makes this cuisine so unique and beautiful.” ―Donald Link, James Beard Award-Winning Chef, Restauranteur, and Author of Real Cajun and Down South

“Everything Valerie Rice touches, grows, and cooks exudes natural beauty, elegance, and soul. If ever there were someone’s home, garden, kitchen (and life!) I would dream of occupying, it would be hers. Lush Life gets you deliciously from seed to table, and just a step closer to living and eating as beautifully as Val does.” ―Caroline Styne, James Beard Award-Winning Wine Director and Restauranteur, The Lucques Group

Eat and drink what’s in season and you’ll never grow bored, your menus will be less complicated, and everything will taste better. That’s Valerie Rice’s motto, and it’s guided her to become an accomplished gardener, cook, and cocktail maker, three talents that—along with her charm and no-fuss style—have made her EatDrinkGarden Instagram and blog a hit. In Lush Life, Valerie brings together 156 of her favorite seasonal recipes for entertaining, family meals, snacks, and so much more, including cocktail recipes and wine advice. Rigorously home tested and gorgeously photographed by Gemma and Andrew Ingalls, Lush Life is a California dream of a cookbook that will inspire readers to grow their own, cook it fresh, and pour a luscious beverage.

With wine commentary by James Beard winner Raj Parr and a foreword by Suzanne Goin, author of Sunday Suppers at Lucques.

Perfect for home cooks, garden enthusiasts, and anyone looking to add a bit of freshness to their everyday meal prepping.