Favorite Cookbooks & Cookbook Reviews

July 20, 2009

Alfalfabet A to Z

by Carol Watterson & Michela Sorrentino

A wonderful new kid’s book! More info at the official Alfalfabet website.

January 08, 2009

Martha Stewart’s Cooking School

by Martha Stewart

Who better to produce a culinary course for home cooks than Martha Stewart? Not only is she is a consummate teacher and perfectionist; she is backed by the best cooking assistants and test kitchen around, and afterall, she started her career in the kitchen. In a nutshell, Martha Stewart’s Cooking School is a book of general cooking techniques and classic recipes…

December 02, 2008

How to Cook Everything Completely Revised 10th Anniversary Edition

by Mark Bittman

Has 10 years really gone by since Mark Bittman published his groundbreaking tome, How to Cook Everything? Judging by the state of the yellow dust jacket on my copy I can believe it. Do I really need this 10th anniversary edition? I’ve grown quite attached to my yellow book and am reluctant to believe it can be improved upon. Well good news, Mark Bittman has indeed improved and expanded…

December 01, 2008

Spain

by Mario Batali and Gwyneth Paltrow

I love a good road trip book. All the better if the purpose of the trip is to seek out new culinary experiences.  And, Spain is a country with one of the most diverse and exciting cuisines going. So, it was with high expectations that I approached Spain, A Culinary Road Trip. Here’s what drew me in, firstly Mario Batali and Mark Bittman, first rate cooks, writers and food-obsessed wits. I love that they will unabashedly try anything…

November 28, 2008

Baking for All Occasions

by Flo Braker

I simply had to post a review for Flo Braker’s Baking for All Occasions right away just to share the recipe for Eggnog Pound Cake with Crystal Rum Glaze. Next best thing to eggnog in a cup, combination of fresh eggnog, rum and currents baked in a nutmeg infused light pound cake is a definite holiday pleaser. I also really enjoyed making (and eating) the Gingerbread-Pecan Tart…

November 14, 2008

Turquoise

by Greg and Lucy Malouf

Turquoise is the follow up book to the equally stunning Saha (A Chef’s Travels in Lebanon and Syria) by Australian husband and wife and writing team Greg and Lucy Malouf. He cooks, she writes and together they create beautiful cookbooks with authentic and extraordinary dishes…

November 05, 2008

Food Festivals of Italy

by Leonardo Curti and James Fraioli

What other country but Italy could one dedicate a lavish, hardcover picture book devoted entirely to food fairs and event. France perhaps, but the more social and informal nature Italian cooking promises one that is more varied and useable to home cooks. Food Festivals of Italy is a cookbook whose theme is to celebrate the unique food fairs of Italy…

November 03, 2008

La Paella

by Jeff Koehler

Author Jeff Koehler has quite nicely captured the magic and fun of Spain’s most cherished dish. Paella is quite literally a party in a pan and nothing starts the festivities better than this simple dish of rice, herbs, stock and assorted ingredients…

October 18, 2008

Italian Grill

by Mario Batali

Grilling is a national obsession. Bookshelves are bursting with orange and brown barbecue and grilling books boldly touting their tried and true techniques, marinades and sauces. With roots in Italian grilling and cooking tradition Mario Batali’s Italian Grill offers a subtler and fresher approach to grilling…

October 07, 2008

The River Cottage Fish Book

by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Nick Fisher

Another winner from the chap from England’s River Cottage. The River Cottage Fish Cookbook is Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s tome celebrating all food from the sea. And it is a bountiful offering. As with his River Cottage Meat book, Hugh does not skimp on information, technique, recipe offerings or charm…

September 19, 2008

Whole Grains Every Day Every Way

by Lorna Sass

Whole Grains by Lorna Sass is the ideal cookbook for those cooks who love good food but also want to eat food that is good for them. It presents all the information and accompanying recipes for dozens of the whole grains that are the healthiest. This book will allow you to seamlessly incorporate more whole grains in your diet with minimal fuss and whithout skimping on flavor…

September 18, 2008

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

by Barbara Kingsolver

Much is being written these days about the state of our food economy, plight of farmers and the many benefits of eating local, sustainable food. Good thing too as awareness is the key to change. Honestly though, the whole discussion can be a bit daunting, more than a little wearying and dare I say too much like homework. For a more uplifting and enlightening take on the topic turn to Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Popular novelist Barbara Kinsolver tells the true story…

More Recent Reviews...

• Fine Cooking Annual - by Fine Cooking Magazine

• Veganomicon - by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero

• American Masala - by Suvir Saran

• Further Adventures in Search of Perfection - by Heston Blumenthal

• Splendid Table’s How to Eat Supper - by Lynne Rossetto Kasper & Sally Swift

• Terrine - by Stephane Reynaud

• Laura Werlin’s Cheese Essentials - by Laura Werlin

• The Omnivore’s Dilemma - by Michael Pollan

• Soup Kitchen - by Thomasina Miers, Annabel Buckingham

• How to Cook Everything Vegetarian - by Mark Bittman

• Plenty (The 100-Mile Diet) - by Alisa Smith, J.B. Mackinnon

• Creole - by Babette de Rozieres

• The New Intercourses - by Martha Hopkins, Randall Lockridge

• Simple Chinese Cooking - by Kylie Kwong

• The Essential Baker - by Carole Bloom