Books for folks who love to cook
As holiday gift-giving rolls around, I like to share my picks for books I’ll give to my friends who love to cook. Here are my recommendations:
“On the Curry Trail” by Raghavan Iyer; Workman Publishing Company, 2023
The late Raghavan Iyer was the author of seven cookbooks. His latest book, “On the Curry Trail,” was published just before his death. It is an exploration of how curry traveled throughout Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Europe and Oceania, and the Americas. He explores cuisines that developed from the colonial spice trade, spice wars, the slave trade and local entrepreneurship. The reader will find different countries that have each put their own signature on how spices are used. He explains how curry flavor “seduced the world.” This is the book for your cook that loves a variety of flavors and spices, especially those in curry.
“Madame Fromage’s Adventures in Cheese” by Tenaya Darlington; Workman Publishing Company, 2023
The author guides the reader on how to pair cheese, exploring the cheese world and offering up a multitude of recipes. There is a whole chapter on stinky cheeses. How to put together a cheese board, make cheese fondue and shop for cheese are just a few of the tips the reader will enjoy. Cheese lovers will find this book an entertaining and informational addition to their library.
“The Simple Art of Rice: Recipes from Around the World for the Heart of Your table” by J J Johnson and Danica Novgorodoff; Flatiron Books, 2023
If you’ve ever wondered about the varieties and complexities of rice, you’ll get all the answers in this handsome, informational book. It includes chapters on mastering the basics of rice, types of rice and a fascinating brief history of the grain. Recipes abound from around the world, including fried rice four ways, seafood paella, red rice and beans and a favorite dessert of mine, Thai sticky rice with coconut cream and mango. This book is meant for cooks that think rice is a must in most recipes.
“Scheckeats — Cooking Smarter” by Jeremy Scheck; Harvest, 2023
This the gift for cooks who like to stick to simple recipes. The author has gained a large TikTok audience. I love the subtitle of this book: “Friendly Recipes with a Side of Science.” His list of staple ingredients (which I think of as his pantry) suggests that the reader will be able to cook almost any recipe out of the book. Each recipe includes a chart explaining if it is vegetarian, dairy-free or gluten free, and uses his staple ingredients. These recipes like a dinner kale salad, apple pie oatmeal, black bean burgers or spricot glazed chicken are easy enough for a beginner cook and satisfying enough for a seasoned home cook.
“Every Cocktail Has A Twist” by Cary Jones and John McCarthy; Countryman Press, 2023
For the cocktail lover and maker on your list, gift them with this creative guide to mastering 25 classic drinks with 200 variations. There is an entire chapter on Aperol Spritzes, including the original recipe and fun variations. Other drinks with classics and variations include bloody marys, espresso martinis, margaritas, mojitos and sangrias. This would be a great gift along with a cocktail shaker.