Literary Las Vegas: Deborah L. Costella

Las Vegas author Deborah L. Costella’s “One 4-Ounce Serving: A Collection of Food Stories and Recipes” follows the culinary adventures of Rose and Gilda, fraternal twins named for Shakespeare’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, in a book that is part autobiographical novel with a generous dash of cookbook. While Rose, a former ballerina, can eat anything and stay slim, Gilda undergoes surgery as a solution to her weight woes. Costella, a professional chef and culinary instructor, sprinkled the book with recipes designed to pack flavor and nutrients into smaller portions of “real food.” Visit cosmicmuffincafe.com.

Excerpt

While weight-loss surgery does indeed serve as a deterrent or even arrest the further development of illnesses and other ailments related to carrying excessive weight, the surgery itself does little to address our mental and emotional relationships with food. But this book, One 4-Ounce Serving does. More importantly, the recipes in this book will serve not only those with dietary restrictions or portion limitations but also those who have none.

As for the food stories, they serve to celebrate the fulfillment and joy we food lovers feel when preparing and serving food, whether dining alone or in the jovial company of friends and family.