Hey Rooster General Store's cookbook wall
Anyone who loves cookbooks probably has too many cookbooks (though they may not acknowledge it). But new and wonderful cookbooks are written and released all the time. How can we resist? Giving the gift of a cookbook can sometimes be tricky; avid collectors often have already purchased the best and most desired. So I've compiled a short list of notable recent releases that should be helpful for you whether you're the giver or the giftee.
∙ Smitten Kitchen Every Day: Triumphant and Unfussy New Favorites by Deb Perelman. The Smitten Kitchen blog has long been one of the most reliable on the internet for delicious recipes that come out exactly as planned. Understanding that many people don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this second cookbook from Perelman features new recipes intended to be enjoyable to prepare as well as eat. Perelman will be at Parnassus Books on Tuesday, Nov. 28, to meet fans and sign her book.
∙ Cooking at Home with Bridget and Julia: The TV Hosts of America's Test Kitchen Share Their Favorite Recipes for Feeding Family and Friends by Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison. The co-hosts of "America’s Test Kitchen" present a collection of recipes that are appropriate for weeknight meals as well as for entertaining. They’re well-tested and easy to follow, making the book great for beginners as well as experienced cooks. Additionally, the 10th anniversary edition of The Complete Cook’s Country TV Show Cookbook was recently released and also features tried-and-true favorites from a decade of episodes.
∙ The Cherry Bombe Cookbook by Kerry Diamond and Claudia Wu. Co-founders of Cherry Bombe magazine, Diamond and Wu curated this cookbook which is composed of recipes from a variety of well-known female chefs, restaurateurs, writers and entertainers. Nashvillians will recognize the names of local chefs Lisa Donovan and Sarah Gavigan as well as contributors such as Jeni Britton Bauer, Vivian Howard, and Ashley Christensen. The book is as beautiful as it is useful.
∙ How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman. Bittman has revised his original for this 10th anniversary edition and included some new recipes. If you have the original, it’s not worth it to purchase this book, but it’s a great (huge) book for anyone who wants to add more plant-based food into their diet.
∙ Kristen Kish Cooking: Recipes and Techniques by Kristen Kish with Meredith Erickson. This cookbook is not for the novice or casual cook, but more for those very interested in cooking the kind of food that helped Kish win the 2012 season of Top Chef. Or even those who aspire to do so, even if they never will.
∙ Dining In by Alison Roman. Roman’s Instagram followers will appreciate this collection of her recipes, all accompanied by drool-inducing photos. A food writer and recipe developer, Roman’s first cookbook is a very vegetable-heavy collection of impressive and complex recipes that are actually fairly easy to make.
Both Parnassus Books in Green Hills and Hey Rooster General Store in Hillsboro Village have excellent selections of cookbooks that make excellent gifts in addition to (and sometimes including) the books noted here. Check 'em out.
