One of my favorite genres is food lit. Essays, memoirs, and behind the scenes with chefs, critics, and people who just plain love food. And some weave recipes into their story, but that's just a bonus. Hence, you can enjoy the book and keep your kitchen shiny.
Here are a few I recommend:
No Reservations or anything by Anthony Bourdain - I just picked this one up. I have also read Kitchen Confidential & A Cook's Tour -both fascinating. His dry humor, adventurous eating habits, and sharp tongue make for a good read.
Garlic & Sapphires by Ruth Reichl - former food critic for the NY Times dishes on all those meals.
The Making of a Chef by Michael Ruhlman- journalist goes inside the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) to experience the training, and becomes a chef in the process. One of my favorites.
At Mesa's Edge by Eugenia Bone - east coast girl learns to love it out west and learns a lot about the region and it's bounty. This book is my hidden treasure pick.
A Trip to the Beach by Melinda & Robert Blanchard - they have written a couple follow-your-bliss books, but this one is a keeper. Living your dream on an island brings challenges and rewards. A great getaway book for those of us stuck in colder climates.
Home Cooking & More Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin - she also wrote some good fiction, but these essays are near perfect. Grab a drink, a blanket and enjoy.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver - Her commitment to eat only local food for a year, and chronicle it is admirable, inspiring, and at times extreme. She balances her role as participant and reporter well without condescension.
Nigella Lawson - i had to sneak this in even though they are straight up cookbooks. Each recipe has such a lush description, you can read the books straight through. And then you may actually decide to break out the mixer.
Cooking for Mr. Latte by Amanda Hesser- foodie chick lit. A writer chronicles her courtship. This was a fun read - thanks Trish.
My Last Supper- 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals by Melanie Dunea. What would a chef want to eat, and who would they invite to dinner?
Will Write for Food - for those of you inspired to start your cookbook or memoir right now.
The Book Lover's Cookbook: Recipes Inspired by Celebrated Works of Literature and the Passages that Feature Them. I think that about says it all. Delightful.
The list is truly endless - these are just the ones I've either read or am preparing to devour. Please share any of your favorites and I'll add them to the list.
Other titles I've found that may merit a second look: In Buddha's Kitchen, Service Included , The Sharper Your Knife the Less You Cry (recommended by author of Eat, Pray, Love), and Out of the Frying Pan.
To get you started, I'm giving away a copy of
leave a comment and you'll be entered in the Monday's drawing.
The End.
