Every Christmas morning, I ask my kids “what’s the best gift?” and they respond “A BOOK!” Last week, my daughter asked which books I would like for Christmas. My son, the teenager that he is, responded that he was just going to give me a note telling me to read the books he gave me last year. My husband reminded him that I’m the one that buys the gifts, so my son may want to rethink his strategy.
We’re hoping to help you with your holiday shopping. We’re encouraging you to shop at an independent bookstore by rewarding one lucky shopper, our official Holiday Helper, with an ABA gift card. Additionally, as we did last year, we’ve asked booksellers, experts, and opinionated people to recommend various genres of books (regardless of when they were published) as gifts for the holiday season. This year we’re launching our Best Gifts for Readers lists with cookbooks.
Catherine Ettlinger started Unconfidential Cook, a unique food blog with scrumptious recipes contributed by her and her readers. Catherine’s theory is that many of us are happy to share our cooking experience, hence the name ‘unconfidential cook’. From the chatting on her blog, she’s right. To complement her blog, Catherine hosts unconfidential cook dinners where the guests bring a dish and the recipe, then eat every thing in sight. I’ve been to three of the dinners and they are a Los Angeles foodie treat. The perfect pairing of great food and interesting conversation, each evening combines the necessary ingredients for a lovely meal. I asked Catherine for her cookbook recommendations, and while she mentioned that much of the innovative recipes and culinary writing is online, these cookbooks were so terrific, every foodie should own one:
Lost Desserts by Gail Monaghan: If you think one of your all-time favorite desserts has vanished forever with the demise of a restaurant or the retirement of a chef, don’t despair. Monaghan has gathered dozens of legendary recipes and assembled them with mouth-watering photos by Eric Bowman. You’ll never make a dessert again without first referencing this beautiful book. (Kim’s comments: I’ve seen this cookbook at Catherine’s house and it is a work of art. More importantly, I’ve tasted a few of the desserts and they are more than calorie worthy.)
The Art of Simple Foodby Alice Waters, Clarkson Potter: There are more than 250 recipes in this book by the champion of the phrase “eat locally and sustainably”, but it reads like a memoir and is as much a philosophy and way of life as a hard-and-fast cookbook.
How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman: Touted as a one-stop cooking reference for the modern cook, this book is exactly that–a must-have in every kitchen. (Kim’s comments: This is on my list, maybe my son will break down and get me a gift if he benefits from it!)
Simple and Delicious Japanese Cookingby Keiko Hayashi and Japanese Cooking by Emi Kazuko: Both books are very helpful for anyone who isn’t Japanese and doesn’t read Japanese…but wants to learn Japanese home cooking, which hasn’t gotten its just due thanks to the popularity of sushi. It is the ultimate comfort food…delicious and super healthy to boot.
Anything by Ina Garten because she’s not afraid of fat or sugar but doesn’t go overboard like Paula Dean: Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, Barefoot Contessa at Home, Barefoot Contessa Family Style, Barefoot Contessa Parties, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.
Thank you Catherine! For a couple of other suggestions, check out the NYT article on cookbooks as edible adventures, a review of recent cookbooks geared to home cooking with a personal touch.
Tags: basic cookbook, cookbook, desserts, gift books, Italian cooking, japanese cooking, sustainable cooking, sustainable eating
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Hi,
I featured your site on our Big Guide to Foodie Gift Guides. Come check it out! If you like it, please share it with your social network (Foodbuzz, Facebook, Twitter, etc).
Aloha,
Nate
House of Annie food blog -
i love to eat asian foods because they are tasty and spicy.’~`
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