This cookbook can be described in a single word: charming. Pepin’s own artwork adorns the pages of his recipes, and each section is preceded by a two-page spread of his drawings and singular style of calligraphy. I can see where he gets his artistic garnishing skills from! Gorgeous photographs accompany the majority of the recipes [...]
Continue reading about Jacques Pepin’s Simple and Healthy Cooking
Vegetarian cookbooks litter the shelves, but this one offers something a bit different: 180 recipes from America’s top chefs. Ever wondered how Emeril Lagasse makes his Banana Bread Pudding? You’ll find out here. Or how Alice Waters would make fried polenta? Cherry vinaigrette dressing? Again, you’ll know after you’ve had a chance to take their [...]
Okay, full disclosure: I love roasted veggies! (And, upon occasion, roasted/grilled fruit—ever tried baked pineapple?) This is the only cookbook I’ve come across that focuses on the myriad ways in which roasted produce can be appreciated. Salads, soups, pizzas, wraps, even granola…the list is endless. And if you want your roasted item naked—i.e., the beet [...]
All of us have heard “eat your greens,” but beyond throwing together a basic salad, most of us have no idea how to literally go green with our diets. The sub-title to this cookbook is “fresh, flavorful, and innovative recipes”…and they certainly are. (Although—not surprisingly—you won’t find a collection of dessert recipes. Maybe that’s for [...]
Here’s a twist on the traditional cookbook idea: dishes based on aphrodisiac ingredients. From oysters to edible flowers, Martha Hopkins and photographer Randall Lockridge have created a feast for the eyes and the palate. (Warning! While the photography certainly qualifies as art, some might also call it “suggestive.”) And the fun doesn’t stop after the [...]
Slick, snazzy, sophisticated…if you enjoy indulging in the occasional cocktail, Ben Reed’s beautifully-photographed cocktail book is a must for your shelf. Recipes are categorized by main ingredient (rum, vodka, etc.), so it’s a snap to find a drink to fit your mood and the ingredients you have on hand. The best part about this collection [...]
There’s a little something called the Glycemic Index—it’s a measurement of how quickly foods hit our bloodstream. While I normally steer clear of the number game (quality is more important than quantity!), the GI concept is useful to understand and incorporate in your cooking. In short, foods with a high value (on a 1-100 scale) [...]
Based on the research done by the Weston A. Price Foundation, Sally Fallon has compiled a thorough and engaging book that veers from cookbook to reference guide to cultural repository and back again. Like the better-known Joy of Cooking, Nourishing Traditions explains nutritional principles in practical terms. It also provides step-by-step instructions for preparing foods [...]
If you’re a cheese fan, this is a must-have for your cookbook collection. From selecting the cheese to serving appropriate accompaniments, Janet makes it easy to be sophisticated about cheese. She begins by explaining the different types and their characteristics and progresses into providing recipes for any occasion. (Recipes are separated into categories based on [...]
For those who are curious about exploring raw cuisine, Ani’s not-cookbook is a great place to start. Along with telling her story of how she got interested in raw food, she explains the raw-food philosophy of life and eating. Several of the recipes are accompanied by photos—you’ll find everything from soups and salads to main [...]
