Cooking
MyRecipes America's Favorite Food culls recipes from magazines including CookingLight, RealSimple and Sunset. It has 200 recipes all highly rated and tested. If you are the kind of person who prefers photos with every recipe, you will be happy with this book. If you are the kind of person who likes to read helpful headnotes, you will be disappointed, because there are none. There are some tips now and again, but more often there are symbols prompting you to scan a photo with your smart phone. Once you do that, you might get more recipes or a technique video. I'm a little bewildered. I use my phone for recipes, but not while I am reading a cookbook. It's an attempt to "bridge the digital divide" but frankly, it seems a little gimmicky to me. I like that they tell you where the recipes come from, something the Epicurious book does not do. Recipes that peaked my interest include Brandied Cranberry Short Rib Stew, Pasta with Asparagus, Pancetta, and Pine Nuts and Red Lentil Rice Cakes with Simple Tomato Salsa.
- The Joy Of Writing A Great Cookbook: Interview With Kimberly Yorio
If you want to be a food writer, I highly recommend that you read Will Write for Food by Dianne Jacob, but if writing a cookbook is your goal, you’ll also want to check out The Joy of Writing a Great Cookbook by Kimberly Yoirio. This no nonsense book...
- Mostly Vegetable Cookbooks
These books are focused on vegetables, but are not strictly vegetarian. They are each written by very accomplished food writers and great to keep or give ('tis the season after all). Rick Rodgers created 450 recipes for The Big Book...
- More Books For Cooks 2012
You know the drill, if you want your gift to arrive by December 24th, today is the last day to order with free Super Saver Shipping on Amazon. Of course, you could just go to a bookstore instead! Every year there is a whole new batch of cookie...
- Great Summer Cookbooks
Winter is the easiest time of year to feel motivated to cook. When it's cold outside nothing is better than hunkering down in a cozy kitchen to braise and bake and simmer the day away. Summer time is perhaps the toughest season for cooking. Who wants...
- The Good Home Cookbook: Giveaway!
Some time ago I mentioned that the publishers of The Good Home Cookbook were looking for recipe testers. In addition to getting a first crack at the recipes, testers also got their names in the book and a copy of the book. Now the book is out and for...
Cooking
The Epicurious Cookbook & MyRecipes America's Favorite Recipes
Despite the popularity of recipe websites, we enjoy printed cookbooks too much to dismiss them. Fortunately two big website publishers have compiled cookbooks that are truly stellar in some ways marrying the best of both worlds. They not only share their top rated recipes, but give use quotes and tips from readers and reviewers. The result is cherry picked recipes with plenty of reader insight.
The Epicurious Cookbook has over 250 "four fork" recipes that are tried and true. There are plenty of photographs, though not for every single recipe. The recipes are from magazines including Gourmet and Bon Appetit, as well as members. The headnotes for the recipes are particularly helpful, making serving, storage, and even substitution suggestions. The recipes have a certain practicality to them, as the back cover says "recipes you'll make again and again." There are also recipes from beloved chefs like Dorie Greenspan, Alfred Portale and Tom Colicchio. The photography is often elegant and have a consistent style (yes, more weathered wood finished backgrounds...) I love the sound of Eggplant Lasagna with Parsley Pesto, Beet and Carrot Pancakes and Mahogany Chicken (glazed in a soy, mirin and ginger sauce). The only thing I don't like about this book? The recipes are organized seasonally. Calling granola a Winter breakfast just seems dumb to me. There is no good reason not to make it and eat it all year long. Perhaps in some parts of the country this is helpful, but not in California where seasons overlap and are not always so distinct.
Both of these books have really great recipes, so which one is right for you? It depends on where you generally turn for recipes. I actually think the Epicurious book has more interesting vegetarian recipes and more creative recipes in general, and the MyRecipes book has more healthy options. I've bookmarked more in the Epicurious cookbook but that's not surprising since it's my go-to recipe site. Have you seen these books yet? Let me know which one you like best.
- The Joy Of Writing A Great Cookbook: Interview With Kimberly Yorio
If you want to be a food writer, I highly recommend that you read Will Write for Food by Dianne Jacob, but if writing a cookbook is your goal, you’ll also want to check out The Joy of Writing a Great Cookbook by Kimberly Yoirio. This no nonsense book...
- Mostly Vegetable Cookbooks
These books are focused on vegetables, but are not strictly vegetarian. They are each written by very accomplished food writers and great to keep or give ('tis the season after all). Rick Rodgers created 450 recipes for The Big Book...
- More Books For Cooks 2012
You know the drill, if you want your gift to arrive by December 24th, today is the last day to order with free Super Saver Shipping on Amazon. Of course, you could just go to a bookstore instead! Every year there is a whole new batch of cookie...
- Great Summer Cookbooks
Winter is the easiest time of year to feel motivated to cook. When it's cold outside nothing is better than hunkering down in a cozy kitchen to braise and bake and simmer the day away. Summer time is perhaps the toughest season for cooking. Who wants...
- The Good Home Cookbook: Giveaway!
Some time ago I mentioned that the publishers of The Good Home Cookbook were looking for recipe testers. In addition to getting a first crack at the recipes, testers also got their names in the book and a copy of the book. Now the book is out and for...