A book is something just about everyone loves, and cooks do especially. They may have many cookbooks, but can't resist thumbing through one given to get new ideas. Books are also perfect for the last minute shopper. I looked for books that were not just filled wirh basic recipes but offered something unique or extra- interesting.
Once again, I could link all of the to Amazon, which is OK if you are ordering last minute and need Prime delivery, but I encourage you to stop buying solely from the big conglomerates and give your local mom and pop stores or even Barnes and Noble your business to keep them around - for their employees, for your town to retain some uniqueness and that is a very good deed to do this holiday or any day.
As so many are giving up urban life to follow their dreams of homesteading... or at least can feed their fantasies from their easy chair reading this! Along with 100 recipes with a modern twist on old farm favorites, it is full of details of eating seasonally, how to forage and how to pick the best ingredients at the right time, it's sure to be a welcome read.
If you are aware of the french blog ChocolateAndZucchini.com you will know the author, Clotilde Dusoulier, is not a vegetarian. But since so many are trying to eat at less meat, she shows you how to make great things with what is fresh each day at your market -as theFrench do shop for fresh ingredients almost daily. She gives you 82 recipes taking you through the season, while inserting snippets on french food culture.
Named a Book of the Year in London's The Observer, The Telegraph and the Spectator, this book is based on the London restaurant of the same name and sounds so interesting. It's an imaginative and very different kind of book that encourages the chef to see the kitchen, cooking techniques and ingredients in a whole new way. They take you through their "clean cooking" philosophy along with giving recipes, Definitely something for the cook who has everything.
This author has done many books, but this is of particular interest, where this famed chef gives a look into her own kitchen, and how she makes her own staples, like chicken stock, red wine vinegar and the like - then shares how she infuses these ingredients to make simple, organic staple dishes a little more special as a result. Lovely illustrations by her daughter throughout the book to enjoy as well.
Salt, Fat, Acid Hear has a list of accolades and awards a mile long (New York Times Bestseller,Winner of the 2018 James Beard Award for Best General Cookbook to name two). I bought it. In the spirit of Joy of Cooking, this is a master class in the new techniques, boiled down (no pun) to those four basic elements. The idea is if you can "master the use of just four elements—Salt, which enhances flavor; Fat, which delivers flavor and generates texture; Acid, which balances flavor; and Heat, which ultimately determines the texture of food—and anything you cook will be delicious."
We know many cultures clears one day to keep a tradition of gathering family - or friends - around the table to share a meal. There is nothing quite like it, and if it's disappearing in your life, why not make a new years determination to begin doing it? Whether it's once a week or a quarter, this book will inspire that.
Shellfish lovers unite! Boston's Jeremy Sewall puts his spin on the seacoast's dishes for you to conjure up at home with a little more refinement. He works seasonally and with the area's local offerings of fresh foods to create the dishes which sound just delicious, ie: Maple-Brined Pork Rack with Apple and Leeks and Creamy Oyster Stew with Fennel and Sweet Corn, Bacon, and Crab Chowder
EXOTIC ALERT: The below is for ambitious cooks, who want to experiment with over 100 recipes from London's acclaimed Ottolenghi family of eateries. NOPI is their most elegant restaurant (North of Picadilly), and what is within are described as "Malaysian-Australian roots combine with Ottolenghi’s Israeli-inspired palate to create bold, vibrant fare with Mediterranean/Asian twists"
Italians are known for their good taste - literally, in food and drink, as well as in their style. And there are many Italian cookbooks out there - but the chef on your list would enjoy a dip into these pages, for a romp through what you can find made on the street throughout Italia.
Don't let the tomatoes on the cover fool you -this book covers a plethora of things and the deal is they tell you how to make over 100 things from scratch, just like your grandma used to. SO if you have been wishing you'd gotten her recipes, take a peek into this one and see if it might suffice!
One pan cooking always appeals, because who has time for the kitchen to be strewn with extra to wash! As a bonus, this book focuses on vegetarian recipes, in answer to health conscious and foodies who want to begin having at least one veg dinner a week, if not more. Or, cut recipes in half for terrific side dishes. Also excellent book to have for throwing a party or attending a pot luck where there may be Vegetarians.
There's been a return to gardening and growing at least tomatoes or herbs. And whether or not you grow things, you can still can, freeze dry, pickle things from your farmers markets or grocery store when they are fresh and in season. Especially good for the guy who is dreaming of learning (or would at least enjoy reading about) how to smoke, salt or dehydrate various meats or fish.
The Farmers Almanac has both authority and nostalgia connected to it. Sure to bring a smile to the face of the receiver -both a new generation and the older ones. Nice for grandparents too.
Speaking of Nostalgia, we long these days to rerun to simpler days and more wholesome methods for living across the board, This book provides insights if one is interested in keeping a more natural home and garden.
And last in this vein but very different in it's own right, an offering from Kinfolk Magazine, based on those wanting to get back to an uncomplicated lifestyle.Now there is a recipe book, which is complied using 1-3 most loved and shared recipes from 45 different "tastemakers": bloggers, writers, chefs, artisan, bakers and crafters. Really worth looking into - or give a subscription to their quarterly magazine!
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