Life has been a bit odd lately with moving across the country and figuring out our new schedule. With all the changes my cooking and recipe development are a bit off, or maybe I’m just building up to the next round of creation. I have been cooking from recipes a lot lately! Totally crazy, I know! I’ve been having a lot of fun and learning a lot, but haven’t been focusing on my own recipes. I had a whole plan for recipes I wanted to get to you for the Holidays, but alas, it is not going as planned. Instead, I’ll let you know what I have been doing, and give a few recommendations for gifts for yourself or others who love to cook!
My favorite is The Food Lab
This is an essential for everyone who loves to cook, but also loves to know why a recipe works or doesn’t work. The beauty in this book is not only the recipes, but also the vast amount of knowledge that gives you the information you need to make your favorite recipe better, or more consistent, or just reaffirms that yours is the best.
My newest and quickly becoming my favorite is Bravetart
This is a baking lovers dream. Similar to The Food Lab it has some science on why baking works the way it does. It also adds some history about the recipes and how they became what they are today. This is for the person who is a die hard “from scratch” baker. There is even a recipe for homemade sprinkles!
Also a new one for me is A Recipe For Cooking by the same author, and another favorite is Twelve Recipes
Twelve Recipes is the book that pushed me over the edge into trying new things and various flavor combinations that I had previously avoided. These two books are a must for any cook, and will truly delight. Cal Peternell is an amazing writer and the books can be enjoyed simply for the pleasure of reading them and have the added bonus of completely mind blowing recipes broken down in an approachable manner. I often laugh out loud while reading these cookbooks.
Finally; Eat Your Drink: Culinary Cocktails
This is for the diehard who already has every cookbook known to man, or the person in your life who is hard to buy for an enjoys the finer things in life. I honestly haven’t tried to make any of the drinks in this book but I have read it from cover to cover.
Any and all of these would make lovely gifts for the food lover in your life. If you’re really stuck and they already have these books then check out the equipment recommendations that the authors give. I’m sure there is a gadget or high quality piece of equipment there that would make a fantastic gift.
Happy Food Ninja 