text: December 9, 2009|By Heather McPherson, Orlando Sentinel Food Editor
  The holiday cheer may be getting a little out of hand. I just saw sugar plums dancing and it wasn't in my head. I think it's time to back away from the eggnog. While I shut down the confection dance floor in the test kitchen, you can enjoy your daily dish:
  Brown's new book is Good Eats: The Early Years (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $37.50). The Food Network host is one part culinary hobbyist and one part science geek with a liberal additional of showmanship. Good Eats: The Early Years has great program notes, a frenetic layout that captures the essence of the show on paper and a fun "who is who" in the back-ofthe- book acknowledgements that includes a rundown of the Good Eats players. And, oh yes, there are more than 140 recipes from the show's first 80 episodes, including some that never made it to air. With the thick paper jacket that folds out into a poster, it's a dream gift for any fan.
  Lagasse's book, Emeril 20- 40-60: Fresh Food Fast (HarperStudio, $24.99), is a treasure of techniques and quick-cook tips for busy households. The title numbers correspond to how the book is divided up. Home cooks can choose recipes for all elements of a family meal - from soups to desserts -- according to their time schedule. The first section is recipes that can be prepared in 20 minutes or less, the middle is 40 minutes or less