Six Picks...Books to Cook From

Where food-lovers are concerned, reading can be as central to enjoyment as consumption.  Epicures, gastronomes, gourmets, gourmands, and gluttons alike can be sated by the page AND the fork - and each in its own way.  Cookbooks, like meals, come in a variety of forms - some are meant to teach, others to inspire, some are the guidebooks for our day to day eating, others for special entertaining. There are the books from chefs elevated to rock star status, and the little gems released by unknown recipe-testers with a dream. And then there are the coffee-table books with their luscious photography of food and sweeping images of terrior where recipes merely garnish the page.  A cookbook, like a box of fine chocolate, is an indulgence bought for oneself, but makes for a gift to be savored. 

Here, our Best Books to Cook from...

All of these titles are available though our Amazon store. Click the titles to purchase! hohoho...

1.

AD HOC AT HOME: FAMILY STYLE RECIPES

by Thomas Keller

You don't often see the name Thomas Keller mixed with words like "accessible" or "home cook," but with this book, the award-winning chef (French Laundry, Per Se) presents a collection of recipes destined for the center of the table at casual family gatherings. Like everything Keller does, this book is inpired, beautiful, and refined. Unlike almost everything he does in the kitchen, we can now do it too!
2.

1,000 VEGAN RECIPES

by Robin Robertson

Jeff and I went "vegan" as a cooks-challenge for a few weeks this past summer.  Here's what I learned: eating "vegan" made us feel GREAT, we saved a ton on our grocery bill, lost a few lbs, and still ate a healthy, high protein (yes- vegan protein!) diet. AND we learned a lot about the very easy, basic techniques of vegan cooking, (which we still incorporate into our day-to-day meals). When people asked "What did you EAT?", we often responded with ideas that came right from this tome! Whether you're new to vegan cooking, a long-time vegan, or someone who is just trying to eat meatless meals a few times a week, this is the book for you. You'll have a lifetime of recipes and inspiration.  Try the banana bread...omg.
3.  

BAREFOOT CONTESSA: BACK TO BASICS

by Ina Garten

Back to Basics - like so many of Garten's books- is one of my trusted favorites. An essential cookbook focusing on the techniques behind Garten's elegant food and easy entertaining style, B-to-B is great for new cooks, aspiring cooks, and anyone who loves to learn as they create. Clear, accurate recipes and, as always, Ina's flawless, spot-on, good taste. 
4.

MARTHA STEWART'S DINNER AT HOME: 52 QUICK MEALS TO COOK FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

by Martha Stewart

New bride Stefanie Lindskog Morin uses this as her go-to for everyday cooking, simple inspiration, and for casual entertaining. Created with busy cooks in mind, culinary guru Stewart's newest collection offers complete menus and recipes.  
5.

HELLO, CUPCAKE!

by Karen Tack

These are witty, one-of-a-kind imaginative cupcake designs using candies from the local convenience store. No baking skills or fancy pastry equipment required! Really. The ideas and inspiation in the book are perfect for the creatively-inclined / pastry-training-deprived.
6.

GOURMET TODAY

by Ruth Reichl, Ed.

Last but not least on our list, this pick is not just to honor our dearly departed Gourmet magazine, but to introduce a terrific book full of (over 1000) recipes that reflect what's going on in the American food scene today - an emphasis on the wide range of farmstand/green market veg we have access to, our interest in new ingredients and foods from around the globe, our incorporation of vegetarian (and vegan) meals, and of course, the need to have options for fast, uncomplicated dishes to suit our faster and ever more complicated lives.