Cookbooks to Crush on this Holiday Season
December 27, 2009 by Marissa Lippert
Filed under Featured, Nutrition
I tend to lust over cookbooks (both new and old) all year long, but get particularly engrossed around the holiday season and find myself pouring through recipes and gorgeously rich photos for a little cold-weather inspiration and holiday warmth. Here are a few cookbooks on my list this year, and maybe on yours as well.
COCO (Oct. 2009)- Chic design and colorful cover aside, Coco (published by design-heavy Phaidon) is a compilation of recipes from 100 up and coming contemporary chefs — all of whom were nominated by 10 culinary masters including Mario Batali and Alice Waters. I’ve only yet flipped through Coco’s pages (it’s still on my wish list this holiday season), but from what I’ve seen, it’s quite an impressive publication with interesting recipes galore.
Salt to Taste (Oct. 2009) – Marco Canora, owner of Hearthand Terroir restaurants and wine bar in Manhattan, brings rustic, flavorful and market-driven Italian dishes to this book. Recipes are approachable and easy-going…you’ll want to head directly into the kitchen and cook up fresh fare like Roasted Salmon with Red Peppers, Veal and Ricotta Meatballs, Pasta e Fagioli, Fava Bean and Pecorino Salad, and Braised Duck with Olives and Rosemary. I love Canora’s personal headnotes citing family traditions and cooking tips. One of my favorite parts of the book however, is the quote on the back: “Food — buy it with thought; cook it with care; serve just enough; save what will keep; eat what would spoil; home-grown is best.”
Jamie at Home (Oct. 2008) — It might be among last year’s hottest cookbooks, but this is still one of my favorites from acclaimed celebrity chef and Food Network star, Jamie Oliver and is definitely worth a good mention. Recipes are seasonally-inspired and are organized by spring/summer/fall/winter sections. Ridiculously gorgeous, mouth-watering photos and equally tasty recipes, Jamie’s continued focus is on balance, fresh produce, making the most of the season and filling dishes with tons of flavor. You’ll find recipes like Grilled lamb kofta kebabs with pistachios and spicy salad wrap, Warm strawberries with Pimm’s and vanilla ice cream, and Superb squash soup with Parmesan croutons. And if you weren’t already aware, Jamie is taking his fight on obesity and healthier eating habits from across the Atlantic, putting America’s “diet” on a diet. Check out a 6-part video series and recipes from his American travels here. Jamie’s newest book,Jamie’s America (Sept. 2009) is currently out on shelves.And a few other newbie cookbooks to note:
David Chang’s expressive (read: expletives everywhere) and intricate Momofuku (Chang now owns 4 restaurants in NYC — who doesn’t love Ssam Bar’s pork buns and Noodle Bar’s classic ramen)?
Food Network nutritionist (and one of my friends and colleagues) Ellie Krieger’s new So Easy, full of healthy, super flavorful recipes and nutrition info.
Photo: Flickr
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An excellent restaurant to hang out!!
Ok…I know I am a foodie and have travelled quite a bit and been to lot many places but the one city which is always an extension of mine is undoubtedly New York. I am proud to wear my Nike NY cap and cheer my Basketball
team without fail. I have been to almost all the food joints, restaurants, pubs and bars located in Manhattan and I must say they all are pretty good considering this age of twittering and Face book wherein if you fail once your
name pops up on all the social networking websites with negative comments. This is a welcome change becoz ultimately we the customers become the king as shoddy service or bad quality food can easily land the owners into
trouble.
But the one place which has succeeded in amazing me is the newly refurbished Restaurant named Point Break. Formerly named as Nation Restaurant & Bar, Point Break is a new Surf Bar located in the heart of mid-town
Manhattan. Now I remember sometime back I had been to this place when it had the old look and feel and I thought ok..seems to be an average place..what’s the big deal? But even during my last visit when it was still in its old
shape it served me excellent food and the service was razor sharp. So last Saturday when one of my friend threw a party and told me the venue to be a swanky new outlet which he was speaking so highly about I thought ok..let’s
try this one too. When he told me about the address I wasn’t sure it was the same place but when I reached there the whole look and feel from Outside was changed and once I entered in, the earlier known Nation was truly
looking like a break from the past and hats off this guy, I don’t remember the name of the owner, but he has rightly renamed it as Point Break!! It appeals to the newer generation guys like me. We had a great time there. The
menu featured old classics and new additions. I loved the wheel o’ shots which made me crazy!! I had the fish tacos which was delicious..yummeee and it has got plenty of room for parties, the DJ that they had was great,
excellent sound system as well and the drinks were strong and I had a look at the menu and thought the prices were pretty good.
Guys on top of it the next day when I searched this place on the internet, this restaurant has a Face book page too wherein they post photos and updates of recent happenings/parties and upcoming events/parties/offers too.
They tweet also which is really nice thinking by the owner.
Anyways not wanting to sound like a paid blogger I would say as a foodie this restaurant is a nice one and I would not hesitate to give my recommendation for it to my guests coming in from out of town. Go and try once and do
not hesitate to leave a comment once you are there. I know I am only going to get thumbs up from you all!!!
Ciao…
John Smith, NYC
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it