Category Archives: Food & Cooking

Let’s Get Cooking!

Do you need some new recipes? With everyone spending more time in the kitchen these days, this might be a great time to peruse some cook books while you’re staying home and staying safe. Here are a few suggestions that you can download from Overdrive with your Fairfield Public Library card.

Title details for Dorie's Cookies by Dorie Greenspan - Available

DORIE’S COOKIES
By Dorie Greenspan

“Beloved baker Greenspan turns her attention wholly to cookies in her latest book. She estimates that she’s created more than 300 different cookie recipes during her career and has winnowed them down to the best 170 here. Readers will find such classics as chocolate chip cookies, blondies, and brownie cookies as well as savory varieties and fancy treats…Greenspan is one of the names to know in baking, and her charming, thorough writing will be appreciated by novice bakers and experts alike.” ~Booklist

For more information, please click here.

Title details for Quick & Easy Paleo Comfort Foods by Julie and Charles Mayfield - Available

QUICK & EASY PALEO COMFORT FOODS
By Julie and Charles Mayfield

“The wildly popular Paleo movement is going strong, with millions of people enjoying the healthy, fat-trimming benefits that come with eliminating gluten, legumes, and dairy from their diets. In this gorgeous cookbook, Paleo pioneers Julie and Charles Mayfield have gathered an impressive selection of palate-pleasing, timesaving Paleo recipes that are not only nutritious and delicious, but quick and easy to prepare.” ~Amazon.com

For more information, please click here.

Title details for Deep Dark Chocolate by Sara Perry - Available

DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE
By Sara Perry

“Veteran cookbook author Perry returns with a winning take on everyone’s favorite sweet. Chocolate lovers can start their day off with the indulgent, gooey Chocolate Sticky Buns or Chocolate Dream Scones with Mascarpone Spread before breaking out the Vin Santo and Brioche Chocolate Bread Pudding at brunch and snacking throughout the day on various cookies and bars. Desserts are where chocolate really shines, and Perry doesn’t disappoint with dishes like a Chocolate Gingerbread with Cacao Nib Whipped Cream cake, “Baby Loves,” a chocolate-filled macaroon, as well as Good Ol’ Fudgy Brownies and the “It’s My Party” Birthday Cake…While there are already more than enough cookbooks devoted to the topic, the approachability and breadth of Perry’s sweet, inventive collection make it worth the indulgence.” ~Publisher’s Weekly

For more information, please click here.

Title details for Better Homes & Gardens 365 30-Minute Meals by Wiley - Available

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS 365 30-MINUTE MEALS
By Better Homes & Gardens

“365 30-Minute Meals is filled with a year’s worth of fast, fresh and fun dinner ideas. With quick, easy-to-prepare recipes offering innovative dinner solutions for everyday staples like meat, poultry, fish, seafood, salads, stews, sandwiches, and more, this book is perfect for busy home cooks who need to get dinner on the table fast. Helpful cooking tips are spread throughout, and substitution suggestions help keep dinner on track even when you lack an ingredient.” ~Amazon.com

For more information, please click here.

Title details for The Boozy Baker by Lucy Baker - Available

THE BOOZY BAKER
By Lucy Baker

“In her first cookbook, appropriately named food writer and contributing columnist for SeriousEats.com Baker gives lovers of desserts and spirits a book that is one part mixology and three parts baking. She includes 25 recipes for drinks alongside 75 recipes for cakes, pies, cookies, and spoon desserts; each is a classic or original dessert that is infused with an alcohol—spirits, liqueurs, wine, or beer. Desserts run the spectrum from rustic (Fig Galette) to sophisticated (Vin Santo-Vanilla Panna Cotta with Apricot Compote) to a combination of the two (Beer Profiteroles with Chocolate-Beer Sauce), and while some will pack a punch, the alcohol content in others is somewhat negligible. In case your bar isn’t well stocked, most recipes include alcohol substitutions.” ~Library Journal

For more information, please click here.

Title details for The Whole Family Cookbook by Michelle Stern - Available

THE WHOLE FAMILY COOKBOOK
By Michelle Stern

“There’s no better way to teach your children to eat fresh, healthy, organic food than with recipes you can cook and eat together! Written by the founder of San Francisco’s premier children’s cooking school and award-winning, green-parenting blogger Michelle Stern, this cookbook gives your family the resources you need to cook delicious, local food in any season including practical advice like how to pick the best of local and natural food without spending too much time or money.” ~Simon & Schuster

For more information, please click here.

Title details for Saveur: The New Comfort Food by James Oseland - Available

SAVEUR: THE NEW COMFORT FOOD
By James Oseland

“The new comfort food from Saveur’s editor-in-chief Oseland (Cradle of Flavor) compiles more than 100 recipes for classic craved foods from around the globe; most come from home cooks or restaurant owners…This is a gorgeous book that reflects the magazine’s global approach to home cooking.” ~Publisher’s Weekly

For more information, please click here.

Title details for The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids - Available

THE COMPLETE COOKBOOK FOR YOUNG CHEFS
By America’s Test Kitchen Kids

“The always-reliable America’s Test Kitchen brings their expertise to aspiring foodies with this cookbook designed for kids in the kitchen. Thorough, generously illustrated introductory pages offer tips on cooking jargon; basic skills, such as dicing, folding, cracking eggs, and melting butter; recommended tools, all of which are required at some point or another in the recipes; and common pantry staples. The recipes, all labeled by difficulty, include plentiful, full-color photographs of kids performing the steps, inset boxes with further explanations, suggestions on variations to the recipes, and near-constant mention of asking for adults’ help. The recipes themselves are all kid-friendly and require ingredients easily available at many grocery stores… The inviting, encouraging tone, which never talks down to the audience; emphasis on introducing and reinforcing basic skills; and approachable, simplified recipes make this a notable standout among cookbooks for kids.” ~Booklist

For more information, please click here.

Title details for Mostly Plants by Tracy Pollan - Wait list

MOSTLY PLANTS
By Tracy Pollan

“Designed for people who are mostly vegetarian but who enjoy meat or fish occasionally, the flexitarian dietary approach is gaining in popularity. This collection by the Pollan family—Lori, Dana, and Tracy are food writer Michael Pollan’s sisters and Corky is his mom—is a creative introduction to the concept, intended to encourage healthy, home-cooked meals for all types of eaters, including vegans and those wanting gluten-free options.” ~Library Journal

For more information, please click here.

Isa Does It Vegan Recipes

[Cover]

Title: Isa Does It—Amazingly Easy, Wildly Delicious Vegan Recipes for Every Day of the Week

Author: Isa Chandra Moskowitz

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2013

Summary/Review: Don’t be scared because “Vegan” is in the subtitle—you don’t have to be one to enjoy this cookbook! This is hands down the best vegetarian cookbook I’ve seen. And with all the unique flavors in these recipes, meat-eaters will not feel like they are missing out on anything.

To start with or make as a meal, there are soups like “Sweet Potato & Red Curry” and salads like “Ranch Salad with Red Potatoes & Smoky Chickpeas”. With recipes for “White Wine Risotto”, “Bhindi Masala with Black-Eyed Peas”, and “Phyllo Pot Pie”, it makes it hard to decide which one to have for dinner. Even the desserts are mouth-watering—envision “Just Chocolate Cake with Gooey Ganache”. And there is even “Carrot Cake Pancakes” to have for breakfast—yum!

The recipes included in this book are easy to follow and contain helpful notes on the side. With such a wonderful selection in each category, there is truly something to satisfy every appetite.

Who will like this book: Those looking for delicious meatless meals.

If you like this, try this: “Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes from London’s Ottolenghi” by Yotam Ottolenghi or “Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone” by Deborah Madison.

Recommended by: Sharyn, Circulation

If this looks like a book you’d like to try, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to see if it’s available and/or to place a hold!

Isa Does It

[Cover]

Title:  Isa Does It:  Amazingly Easy, Wildly Delicious Vegan Recipes for Every Day of the Week

Author:  Isa Chandra Moskowitz

Publisher:  Little, Brown and Company, 2013

Summary/Review: Don’t be scared because “Vegan” is in the subtitle—you don’t have to be one to enjoy this cookbook! This is hands down the best vegetarian cookbook I’ve seen. And with all the unique flavors in these recipes, meat-eaters will not feel like they are missing out on anything.

To start with or make as a meal, there are soups like “Sweet Potato & Red Curry” and salads like “Ranch Salad with Red Potatoes & Smoky Chickpeas”. With recipes for “White Wine Risotto”, “Bhindi Masala with Black-Eyed Peas”, and “Phyllo Pot Pie”, it makes it hard to decide which one to have for dinner. Even the desserts are mouth-watering—envision “Just Chocolate Cake with Gooey Ganache”. And there is even “Carrot Cake Pancakes” to have for breakfast—yum!

The recipes included in this book are easy to follow and contain helpful notes on the side. With such a wonderful selection in each category, there is truly something to satisfy every appetite.

Who will like this book: Those looking for delicious meatless meals.

If you like this, try this: Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes from London’s Ottolenghi by Yotam Ottolenghi or Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison. Anything else by Isa Chandra Moskowitz!  She is the author of several vegan cookbooks.  In fact, she’s been named favorite cookbook author in VegNews for the past seven years.

A second take…

Summary/Review:  This may be the vegan cookbook you’ve been waiting for!  I know that it is for me.  Isa Chandra Moskowitz, already well-known in the vegan cookbook world, has just put together a collection of vegan recipes that truly are “amazingly easy and wildly delicious.”  The majority of recipes can be made without ingredients that involve a trip to a specialty store.  I also like the fact that they are not loaded with “substitute” ingredients (vegan sour cream, vegan cheese, etc.).  She’s covered all the courses – from soup, salads and delicious-sounding desserts.  There are Mexican, Indian and Italian inspired dishes, as well as good old Macaroni and Cheese, so it does seem like there’ll be something for everyone.  It’s beautifully illustrated, which is also a great help in a cookbook.  So if you’ve been thinking about becoming a vegetarian/vegan, or if you’d just like to add more meat/dairy free meals to your diet, give this wonderful cookbook a try!

If you think this is a book you’d like to try, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to see if it’s available and/or place a hold!

Recommended by:  Mary C and Sharyn R

 

 

 

Broccoli and Other Tales of Food and Love

Title: Broccoli and Other Tales of Food and Love

Author: Lara Vapnyar

Summary: A fabulous and creative collection of short stories that revolve around food in the lives of a New York City Russian community. The stories are well written, humorous and witty. Some of the humor is very black, but that bit of gloominess makes the stories more poignant and human. The Russian flavor, vivid descriptions and wonderful prose makes this author and unique and entertaining story teller.

Recommended by: Laurie, Circulation

Stealing Buddha’s Dinner

Title: Stealing Buddha’s Dinner

Author: Bich Minn Nguyen

Summary:This book is unique, entertaining and interesting in it’s perspective on the immigrant (Vietnamese) experience. The setting takes us back to the 1980′s in Michigan. Much of the assimilation experience is relayed through foods such as ice cream, Pringles, and Happy Meals.

Who will like this book?: This memoir is a must for foodie bookworms!

If you like this, try this: Bento Box in the Heartland by Linda Furiya and Fortune Cookies Chronicles by Jennifer 8. Lee

Recommended by: Laurie, Circulation.