It's All Good with Gwyneth

Many call Gwyneth Paltrow the next Martha and given the popularity of her blog Goop (an enormously entertaining blog by the way), the actress turned lifestyle guru is certainly on her way. Her latest entry in making our lives better? Her new cookbook It's All Good: Delicious, Easy Recipes That Will Make You Look Good and Feel Great (Grand Central Life and Style, 2013). After a bout with anemia and vitamin D deficiency coupled with her father's death to cancer, Paltrow followed her doctor's guidelines and began a healthy regimen of eating. The result is basically a low-carb, dairy and gluten free diet filled with vegan cookies,  Banana ice cream, Salmon Burgers with Pickled Ginger, and Hummus Tartine with Scallion-Mint Pesto as outlined in her book. No coffee, no eggs, no sugar, no wheat, no meat, no soy, nothing processed (and no fun -- fortunately I didn't see Diet Coke mentioned, whew:)). Like all recipe/diet books, there is something for everyone -- just make sure discipline is in  your vocabulary.

Paltrow's kitchen as seen in the pages of  Elle Decor

Grilled Salmon with Grilled Lemon Vinaigrette

4 6 oz. fillets of salmon
2 T extra virgin olive oil
4 fl oz for the vinaigrette
Coarse sea salt
2 lemons, halved
2 T finely chopped flat-leaf parlsey
2 T finely sliced chives
Freshly ground black pepper

Heat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Coat the fish with 2 T of olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Grill until from to the touch and nicely browned, about 4 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness. Be sure to grill the lemons at the same time for the vinaigrette! Grill them alongside the salmon, cut side down, until they're softened and just beginning to char.
Transfer the salmon to a serving platter and let it rest while you prepare the vinaigrette. Squeeze the grilled lemons into a bowl (they should yield about 3 fl. oz. of smoky, slightly sweet juice. Whisk in the 4 fl oz olive oil, stir in the herbs and season to taste with sale and pepper. pout the vinaigrette over the salmon and serve immediately.

Photo Credits: Ditte Isager

And she cooks too....

Not only is she an Academy Award winning actress, singer, wife of singer Chris Martin, philanthropist, model, mother and writer, she can cook too. Enter the latest in the celebrity cookbook genre with My Father's Daughter: Delicious Easy Recipes Celebrating Family and Togetherness by Gwyneth Paltrow (Grand Central Life and Style, 2011).

Paltrow has established herself as not only a style icon but a respected foodie as well. Just witness the following of her website Goop that features everything that has to do with the words MAKE, GO, GET, DO, BE and SEE. While many of her recommendations on the site are vegetarian, I have always enjoyed reading what she will cook up next. She literally placed trainer Tracy Anderson on the map and her lifestyle habits have been a major influence to countless fans.

Flanked by Mom Blythe and brother Jake

The beautifully illustrated cookbook seems to be a natural extension from her blog with with recipes ranging from her mother actress Blythe Danner's healthy blueberry muffins to sole a' la grenobloise. Written as a tribute to her late fathwe (film and tv director Bruce Paltrow) who "introduced her to the joys of culinary exploration," it's obvious he instilled a deep appreciation of the art of cooking as a family affair. And while boiling water is a culinary feat for me, I appreciate the fact that many of the 150 recipes   require few ingredients and appear to be relatively simple. Those with children will appreciate the fact that she makes many of the adult recipes kid friendly as well.

Celeb chef Mario Batali penned the book's foreword who is also her partner in crime on the PBS show Spain...on the road Again. Coined as the "odd couple of TV," the thirteen part series is one big road trip as they  tour the countryside focusing on the food and culture. (Paltrow has loved Spain since she studied there at the age of fifteen).

Duck Ragu

The accomplished actress recently launched the book at a dinner and in attendance were the likes of rapper Jay Z, Jerry Seinfeld, New York Yankees Alex Rodriquez, Cameron Diaz and Martha Stewart just to name a few. The menu included Duck Ragu and Arugula Salad with Smoked Mozzarella Slow Roasted Tomato Crostini as a starter dish.

Tuna Rolls

Penne Puttanesca

Reportedly Paltrow has signed a record deal and given her penchant for style and couture, one wonders if she will follow in Stewart's footsteps.  Her entertaining tips were recently profiled on One King's Lane where she recommends the "four musts for a dinner party are good music, a relaxed attitude, alcohol and one funny guest." The self professed perfectionist's playlist includes REM, Santogold and MGMT....and  ironically no mention of Coldplay:)

Martha, move over...

As a Fashionista

Photo Credits: Grand Central Life  and Style