Here is the first installment of my 2009 Gift Guide. This series is in support of the blog movement I'M BUYING BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS. By no means an exhaustive list, but they all caught my attention.
COCO: 10 World Leading Masters Choose 100 Contemporary Chefs - from the Editors of Phaidon Press - The cover caught my eye, and typically I enjoy the design of the Phaidon books. In the store it was shrink wrapped, so I didn't get to flip through.
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The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond - Now that you've emerged from the rock you've been living under you can catch up on the last few years of The Pioneer Woman blog. And when you are done, you'll want this book. I'm giving a copy away....if you can make it to the end of this post.
The Blackberry Farm Cookbook by Sam Beall - I have always wanted to go the Inn at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee. And perhaps the book can transport me, or appease me temporarily. And again with the gorgeous food photography...my mouth waters.
Jamie's Food Revolution by Jamie Oliver - This will be good. How do I know? All of his books have straightforward recipes that TASTE GREAT. He is one of my favorites.
Nigella Christmas by Nigella Lawson - Not a fan of the cover, it looks a little too Rachel Ray meets Martha and Nigella isn't a poser (or a poseur). But what I appreciate about Nigella isn't so much the food, but how she describes food that causes me to want to eat whatever she's talking about that very instant.
I Know How to Cook by Ginette Mathiot - Another Phaidon, highly recommended albeit for someone who already knows how to cook. Hence the name.
Ace of Cakes from Duff Goldman - Duff has put the Charm back in Charm City. If you like to watch the show and it's array of artsy characters, you'll love the book. Not as much of a cookbook as a behind the scenes, this is how we do it kind of thing. Totally satisfies my curiousness about the inner workings of this popular bakery.
Kevin Zraly's Windows on the World Complete Wine Course - We have one of the older versions of this book, and if you are either looking to update (like us) or new to wine by the book, I can't say enough good things about it. He makes it easy and interesting to learn about wine without any of fuss or frippery.
Make it Fast, Cook it Slow by Stephanie O'Dea - If you've followed along with her blog Crockpot365, then you already know she can make anything in that pot. And if you are like me and think there surely must be more options than a can of cream of mushroom soup and a packet onion soup mix, then this is for you (and me).
Ratio by Michael Ruhlman - I've been a fan since The Making of a Chef, where he chronicled his time as a student at the Culinary Institute of America. Here he breaks down the science of recipe construction and if you have always wanted to start creating your own dishes this will help balance out the flavors. I can't wait to read it.
Mad Hungry by Lucinda Scala Quinn - After seeing the title, this pick should not require an explanation. I'm also pretty sure you will like it even if you are a family of girls. Real food with a side of bacon.
Along the lines of feeding the dudes...I'm looking for a bread cookbook (no machine, just my mitts) that will be easy and relatively fast. I can no longer justify buying $15 worth of the stuff each week. So please let me know if you have any recommendations.
If you made it this far, I'd like to thank you for reading. I'm giving away a copy of THE PIONEER WOMAN COOKBOOK. Just leave a comment - if there's a book here that catches your eye, or you have another title on your wish list, please share. This information isn't required to enter, I'd just like to know.
Giveaway ends Wednesday, November 25th @ midnight.
The End.
