Not by bread alone

Tranquility-seeking eaters should check out Simplicity from a Monastery Kitchen (Broadway Books, 2001). The author is Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette, a resident monk — and cook — at Our Lady of the Resurrection Monastery near Millbrook, N.Y., who has written two previous best-selling cookbooks.

In the introduction, the author notes the sacred character of food in Christ's ministry, a quality he says monastery cooking reflects in its "simplicity, frugality, balance, wholesomeness and flavor."

The 182 recipes in the new book are simple and direct. They fall into 13 categories from breakfast to dinner, from appetizers to salads, soups, breads, main courses, and fruits and desserts. Price is $20 (www.amazon.com).