I’m a girl who likes a theme, especially when it comes to dinner parties and holiday gifts. This year’s holiday shopping guide brings the two together. I’ve selected 12 of my favorite cookbooks of 2017 and curated a “pairs with” gift idea to go with each one. Choose just a cookbook, or go for broke and give an extra cooking goody to go along with it. If you have a favorite cookbook or kitchen gadget that you’ve discovered this year, please share in the comments section below. I’d love to hear.
The Book of Greens
I got a sneak peek at this beauty when I interviewed author and restaurant chef, Jenn Louis, for a magazine article on leafy greens. The book is a deep study in vegetables with 225 inventive recipes to explore. The dishes range from the simple (Brussels Chips) to the obscure (Celtuce with Cherry Tomatoes, Goat Milk Feta, and Almonds). It’s a good one for your kale-obsessed best friend or a seasoned home cook who likes to dive into new culinary turf (who’s up for Cardoon Gratin?). Pair with this bullet-proof Dutch oven (it will last a lifetime), ideal for braising and making soup with all those leafy greens.
The Essential Instant Pot Cookbook
I was delighted to finally get ahold of a good cookbook to feed my Instant Pot obsession. I’ve since handed it off to Mr. Mom’s Kitchen, who is making his way through the recipes with great success. My favorites so far? Brown Butter Steel-Cut Oatmeal (yum) and a ridiculously easy Risotto with Lemon and Peas. Pair with an Instant Pot, or for those who already have one, a set of WECK glass jars for all the applesauce, homemade yogurt, and bone broth that this book will inspire you to make!
Feeding a Family
Thumb through this book and you won’t just want to cook nourishing food for your family, you’ll want to pull up stakes and move to Martha’s Vineyard where author Sarah Waldman calls home. The book will inspire you to prepare from-scratch meals and provides the tools and season-by-season recipes to make it happen. Bonus: a gorgeous line up of homey desserts. Pair with a quality Cast Iron Skillet
Cake, I Love You
What’s not to love about a whole cookbook devoted to a love for cake? Author Jill O’Connor’s mouth-watering recipes travel through seven different flavor profiles, including sections on Citrus, Coconut, Chocolate, and Caramel. There’s a chocolate snack cake with milk chocolate bar frosting that has my name all over it and a gingerbread bundt cake that is on my holiday “to do” list. Pair with a shiny new Bundt Pan or if you want to go big, there’s nothing like a KitchenAid Mixer for whipping up a beautiful buttercream.
Bowls of Plenty
Written by James Beard award-winning food writer Carolyn Carreno, this book is built on the premise that whole grains are not just good for you, but are the springboard for gorgeous, inspiring, and delicious meals. The recipes are so compelling, it’s hard to know where to begin: Mezze Bowl with Lamb Meatballs, Hummus, and Tzaziki? or Chicken Satay Bowl with Coconut Rice? Pair with a charming “YUM” Bowl
Baking Class
I always say that baking is the gateway to cooking, especially for kids, so why not arm them with a little inspiration. Deanna Cook’s playful cookbook includes step-by-step instructions with recipes custom made to appeal to kids, from preschool through grade school. The book includes gift tags, stickers, labels, and signs to use for bake sales. Pair with a colorful set of mixing bowls and measuring cups or a Baking Set that kids can use for their very own.
Kitchen Matters
In her new book, Kitchen Matters, Pamela Salzman brings to the page all the elements that have made her LA-based cooking classes such a hot ticket. Her recipes are nourishing, veggie-centric, and anti-inflammatory. Her style is sophisticated and practical in equal measure and her book is teeming with tips for cooks at every level. Pair with any of the lovely wares from Millie Lottie Totes, which makes high quality canvas goods, from picnic totes to sturdy handmade aprons (I’m obsessed).
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
I discovered this at the library last summer and renewed it so many times they started calling me “the cookbook lady” at the check out desk. No joke. It’s as much a recipe book as a cooking teacher and written in such an approachable voice that I thought author Samin Nosrat and I would be fast friends if only we were to meet. The book helps the home cook to understand the role of salt, fat, acid, and heat in making food delicious and is suitable for beginners and cooking nerds alike. Pair with a pretty wooden Salt Cellar to stash within easy reach of the stove.
Modern Cider
This is the third in a series by author and home brew guru Emma Christiansen. It’s both lovely to look at and an excellent read for anyone interested in taking their brewing game past beer 101. The book focuses on hard cider and its cousins, including homemade vinegars, shrubs, and fruit wines. Pair with this Brooklyn Brew Shop Hard Cider Making Kit
Baker’s Royale
I fell for author Naomi Robinson when I discovered her Baker’s Royale Instagram feed, which is like dessert porn on speed. Her book is equally beguiling with gorgeously photographed treats covering the full spectrum. So far her Caramel Popcorn Cookies and London Fog Blueberry Hand Pies are my top picks. Pair with an elegant cake stand
I discovered this beauty tucked on a bookstore shelf and have been smitten ever since. The book is broken into six sections, each devoted to the vegetables of that season with recipes ready made for a run to the farmers’ market. While it’s not a vegetarian book, vegetables are the main event, prepared in ways that will make you forget you ever put steak at the center of your plate. Pair with a Japanese Mandoline
The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook
Written by registered dietitian, writer, and busy mom, Toby Amidor, this is a storehouse of ideas for prepping, storing, and serving healthy meals. It includes strategies for weekend meal prep that can be turned into meals throughout the week as well as a complete meal plans tailored for your personal health goals. Pair with a set of glass storage containers
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