Every fall, a spate of new food related books and cookbooks start lining the shelves, just in time for the gourmet in your life to get a copy or two of something fabulous over the holidays. Food Trends went and did some sleuthing for you- in case you’ve been wondering which fab food books were worthy of devouring this holiday season. Here’s our round-up for you:
First Course:
Orgasmic Appetizers and Matching Wines- Tiny Bites with the Moan Factor, by Shari Darling- With a title this provocative, you bet the recipes are hot, hot, hot! In this book, you get to play with all of your senses to heighten the experience of food and wine pairings, and best of all, her recipes aren’t geared solely at award-winning chefs. Even novice cooks can make an appetizer or two that will have your beloved swooning. Here are a few ideas to whet your whistle: Mini Grilled Cheese with Black Pepper and a Dollop of Banana Ketchup (pairing- an off-dry white with tropical flavours) and Fig Tartlets with Walnut Granola and Stilton (pairing- an icewine with dried fruit flavours).
Entertaining With Booze- Designer Drinks, Fabulous Food & Inspired Ideas for Your Next Party, by Ryan Jennings & David Steele- The follow up to the successful “Cooking With Booze” book, this gem gives you the inside scoop on how to host “boozy bashes.” And given that ‘tis the season- the timing’s perfect for everything from a Fondue Party, the Perfect Suck Up Party to the Put Your Friends to Work Party. Full menus and pairings for terrific cocktails, apps- the whole nine included. How’s that for a very merry!
The Heirloom Tomato: From Garden to Table, by Amy Goldman- “The World’s Most Beautiful Fruit” gets it rightful due in this gorgeous tome full of lush photography, an accessible guide to the fruit, and mouth-watering recipes that praise the virtues of the tomato. Goldman even throws in a handful of handy gardening tips (for all you green thumbs out there) to get the most juicy bang for your seedlings and then suggests certain varieties for dishes including the classic gazpacho soup, fried green tomatoes and homemade ketchup. It’s time we all figured out our Casady’s Folly from out Orange Strawberry Oxheart and learn to taste the difference. Those cardboard imitations in our grocery store will forever be banished!
Main Course:
Urban Italian- Simple Recipes and True Stories from a Life in Food, by Andrew Carmellini and Gwen Hyman- Carmellini is one of America’s brightest culinary lights having worked for and learned from Alice Waters and Daniel Boulud. In this book, the young chef, who owns one of NYC’s most popular and respected Italian eateries, A Voce, Carmellini shares a few culinary discoveries and journeys and weaves those in with soul satisfying recipes for any food lover. There’s Fettuccini with summer corn, bacon, and shiitake mushrooms (reflecting what the chef calls his American mideastern roots) to a more trad Grandmother’s Ravioli with a good, basic tomato sauce. Hey, what’s not to love, huh?
The Science of Good Food- The Ultimate Reference on How Cooking Works, by David Joachim and Andrew Schloss- This is literally the “what, the how and the why of food and cooking” all set out in an easy-to-follow A-Z format for the curious culinary adventurer. This book is perfect for the aspiring molecular gastronomist in the family, the chemistry buff, or the inquisitive soul who wants to (rightly) know why certain principles apply in good cooking. Full of practical tips too (how to make the perfect French fry for example), myth busting information and a roll call of fast facts along with a slew of tasty recipes (beurre blanc to mocha bonbons), you’ll be ready to tackle any culinary conundrum!
A Taste of Canada – A Culinary Journey, by Rose Murray- Fail proof recipes are loved by all, and in this book, that’s exactly what you’ll find. Best of all, they’re all culled from years of culinary adventures across Canada and then they’re given the Murray treatment. You’ll find her version of Tourtière Turnovers, New World Coq au Vin, and a refreshing French Lemon Tart that will take you to Nouvelle France in one, luxurious bite. Beautifully photographed, easy to follow recipes that make sense and are well tested along with a bevy of dinner-guest worthy dishes and you’re on your way to cooking nirvana.
The Big Fat Duck Cookbook, by Heston Blumenthal- All bow at the altar of molecular gastronomy and taking food to a whole new level. If you're a fan of Heston's TV cooking series, then this is the definitive tome for you. Outrageously good looking book with lots of eye candy- this is a book for someone you really like!
Sweet Finish:
Crème Brûlée- More than 50 Decadent Recipes, by Dominique & Cindy Duby- Canada’s own “Willy Wonkas” are back at it with a collection of truly divine recipes for one of the most enduring and popular desserts on the planet. The book features a number of classic versions for all of you purists out there. And then the wild and wonderful couple take it to a whole new, contemporary level by providing recipes for a Crème Brûlée Ice Cream, White Chocolate and Green Tea Brûlée plus a few savoury versions including the gorgeous Pecorino, Onion & Chorizo Brûlée to boot. Drool-worthy good stuff- you won’t be disappointed! You too can brûlée with the best of them!
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