There were so many great books this year and to make things easier (for me and for you) – everything that I have covered at TasteBook have been favorites of mine and on many of the best lists of 2015. Particularly Hartwood, Heartlandia, Zahav, Mission Chinese Food, The Islands of Greece, Mastering Pasta, Nomad, Curbside and Nopi. This link will take you to each Speed Read or Gift Guide including the 50th Anniversary piece of Mary and Vincent Price’s A Treasury of Great Recipes – a few other pieces will be posted later this week and that link should take you to those as well once they are published.
Other titles that are favorites of mine this year include:
Everyday Baker by Abby Dodge – a member of my group stated that Everyday Baker is the baking equivalent to The Food Lab this year and she is correct. This tome dedicated to baking is one that we all need to own. Above average, unusual and delicious recipes. I have been making Abby’s recipes for years and there hasn’t been a dud in the bunch. 175 innovative recipes with nearly 1,000 step-by-step photographs to help bakers of all skill levels. Lemon Ginger Mousse Souffles, Chocolate Mocha Marshmallow Cake, Toasted Pecan Gingerbread Scones and Mile High Parmesan-Chive Buttermilk Biscuits.This book will be a workhorse in any baker’s kitchen and especially mine
Fried Chicken by Rebecca Lang — a gorgeous little book with tempting recipes for a variety of fried chicken dishes — Cornmeal Crusted Chicken with White Barbecue Sauce, Sage and Apple Brined Fried Chicken, Creole Chicken and Buttermilk Waffles, Chicken Milanesa with Chimichurri, Sorghum Pecan Skillet Chicken, Indian Fried Chicken with Cumin Yogurt, Thai Style Drumsticks with Sweet Chile Sauce, Chinese Lollipop Wings, Korean Style Fried Chicken with Gochujang Sauce, West African Fried Chicken with Sauteed Onions and Peppers and many more. I’ve made several recipes from this book and they were really delicious.
Slow Fires by Justin Smillie – this book has flown under the radar but deserves accolades for it’s absolute beauty and incredible recipes. The Tender Peppercorn Crusted Short Ribs are just one of the recipes that I am anxious to make over the upcoming holidays. Other recipes that look delicious – Veal Meatballs with Gingered Buttermilk, Black Garlic Rubbed Hanger Steak and Crisp Pork Belly Braised in Milk.
Cook and Baker by Tass Tauroa and Cherie Bevan – another title not receiving the credit it deserves. Unique, beautiful and tempting deserts such as Baked Lemon and Rhubarb Tarts, Banana and White Chocolate Blondies, Passionfruit Custard Squares and Oaty Ginger Crunch. Sweet and savory recipes and absolutely stunning photographs. A must have for bakers.
Sara Foster’s Market Favorites by Sara Foster is a book that I loved from the moment I cracked it open. Pimiento Cheese Puffs, Pecan Sweet Potato Sticky Buns, Pickle Brined Fried Chicken with Sriracha Honey, Dark Chocolate Buttermilk Bread Pudding with Bourbon Hard Sauce, those Herb Cheddar Biscuits on the cover (drool) and international flavors as well – Thai-Style Pot Roast with Fat Noodles, Ginger Chicken Stew, Spicy Meatballs – it’s really a stunning book.
The Southern Baker by the Editors of Southern Living is a title that really surprised me – gorgeous photographs, luscious looking recipes and step-by-step photos to guide us along. I have dozens of tabs marked of recipes to make. Caramelized Onion and Swiss Popovers, Sour Cream Pocketbook Rolls, Ham-and-Swiss Sticky Buns and Orange Rolls that have been calling my name since I opened the book.
Cooking Like a Master Chef by Graham Elliot is the perfect book for anyone wanting to upgrade their everyday meals. With recipes like Kung Pao Drusticks with Ginger Honey and Toasted Peanuts, Sesame Chicken Thighs with Bok Choy and Plums and Ricotta Gnudi with Crispy Sage and Hazelnuts how can you go wrong? This book has beautiful photographs and wonderful tips to help us create memorable meals any day of the week.
Mezzogiorno by Francesco Mazzei is an exciting international title that will make you swoon. My friend, Marc, turned me on to this title and I’m so glad he did. Southern Italian cooking at it’s best. A sampling of recipes include Ciambotta di Verdure (Pan-Fried Vegetables Served in Bread), Zitoni alla Norma (Pasta with Aubergines and Tomatoes) and Pollo e Bucatini (Whole Roast Chicken Stuffed with Bucatini).
Jacques Pépin Heart & Soul in the Kitchen by Jacques Pépin – it’s Jacques Pépin – that’s enough. A stunning book by a culinary icon. A must have.
Montreal Cooks by Jonathan Cheung & Tays Spencer is a Tasting Menu from Montreal’s Leading Chefs. A wonderful mix of restaurant recipes that range from Rosewater White Chocolate Beignets with Streusel to Bone Marrow with Potato Puree and Mullet Caviar. Gorgeous photos, great chef bios and drool-worthy recipes. Serious cooks need this title.
Other outstanding titles are Spice Temple (Chinese), A Wong (Chinese), Soups for Syria (soup recipes from famous chefs to benefit Syria refugees), Hermes Macaron (obviously macarons and pure art), The Four Seasons of Pasta, The Southern’s Cookbook (Southern tales and recipes), V is for Vegetables (Vegetarian), Empanadas, Southern Soups & Stews and True Thai (Thai). These books are outstanding in their respective genres.
Other titles I have covered and love are Made in India, Southern Heat, Fresh Tastes from a Well Seasoned Kitchen, Making Artisan Cheesecake, Monet’s Palate Cookbook and Bistronomy.
Random Number Generator picked #41 – Carol S! Congratulations!
GIVEAWAY: I hope everyone has a great holiday season and receives all the cookbooks of their dreams! To help you in that regard, I’m giving away a $25.00 gift certificate (via email) to one winner to either Amazon.com or Amazon.ca – so yes US and Canada are included in this giveaway. This giveaway is sponsored by me as a thank you to all of you. Random Number Generator will pick a winner on December 20th and will be notified by e-mail. To enter leave a comment telling me what book appeals to you the most from this list. For a second entry, share this giveaway on social media and leave an additional comment telling me you did so. Good luck.
Note: The links to books in this post are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links or for any Amazon purchase using this link – I receive a small commission.
Everyday Baker if I HAVE to choose just one!
I would select Jacques Pepin–Heart & Soul. All of these books appeal to me, but I have learned from Jacques since I was a young bride. He is a master in the kitchen.
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Jacques Pépin Heart & Soul in the Kitchen. Public Broadcasting just aired a special on him for his 80th birthday where chefs got together to honor him. I’ve been making his pepin potatoes for years. Simple, elegant, and always tasty!
Pepin’s book most appeals to me, because Pepin. But, secondarily, Dodge’s Everyday Baker looks fantastic, and is definitely high on my wish list.
IH
Hi Jenny
The Jacques Pepin book appeals to me
I shared on Facebook
Soutern Baker for ne.
I already have and love Jacques Pepin. Since Marc recommended it, and he hasn’t been wrong yet, I would love Mezzo Giorno. Thanks Jenny and Merry Christmas!
Pepin!
Slow Fires would be my first choice.
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It is SO hard to choose, but I think Foster’s Market Favorites.
Foster’s Market Favorites.
Shared on FB.
Mezzo Giorno sounds fabulous. ..
The Everyday Baker is the one that immediately whispere, no not whispered but shouted out BUY ME!
Everyday Baker and any baking book appeals to me!
I shared this on my facebook page!
The Cook and Baker
I would choose Everyday Baker. Thanks.
Everyday Baker looks great.
Jacque all the way!
Shared on Facebook.
I like them all! Fosters Market Favorites would be my top pick.
Shared on Facebook
The every day baker….although they all sound awesome.
The Cook and Baker
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The Southern Baker! I collect and cook from southern cookbooks:)
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Everyday Baker really interests me.
I love Sara Foster and have all her other books so Foster’s Market Favorites appeals the most to me, although they all sound great. Thanks for the giveaway and hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season as well.
I shared the giveaway on Facebook.
Both Southern Italian and Fosters. Market appeal to me. A lot!
I shared the FB post about this on Facebook.
Jacques Pepin, please
Slow Fires by Justin Smillie is the first one I’d choose.
I shared this giveaway on Twitter
They all appeal to me and my addiction, some I already have but I couldn’t resist ordering Slow Fires. And was happy to see they have a promo, bookdeal25!
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Shared on Twitter
The Cook and Baker! That lovely cover has me intrigued!
I have Jaques Pepin’s book, and it’s wonderful as are all his books. I’m really interested in Everyday Baker ~ love baking books.
I am so torn – there are two on the list that I have my heart set on – The Cook and Baker and The Everyday Baker. I’m also excited to see that Sara Foster has a new book. My list never stops growing 🙂
The Cook and Baker
Foster’s Market
The Cook and the Baker!
I shared this on Facebook!
Heart and soul!
Mezzo Giorno. I love cooking and eating Italian food!
Fosters market sounds like it would be a wonderful addition to my shelves. Thank you Jenny.
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Foster’s Market… is a MUST HAVE…
Foster’s Market Favorites is on my wish list – if I don’t receive it as a gift then I’ll gift it to myself!!
Fried Chicken by Rebecca Lang would be my choice. Thanks for the opportunity to enter!
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What a tough decision, but I think I’d have to choose The Everyday Baker.
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I like the Mezzogiorno by Francesco Mazzei book.
I’m in the mood for meat – Slow Fires!
Jacques Pépin Heart & Soul in the Kitchen
Slow Fires for sure!!
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Already using Everyday Baker and cannot live without it!
Just shared on Facebook.
Soup for Syria!
They all sound good, but if I have to pick only one, Jacques Pepin.
I shared this on Twitter https://twitter.com/royalegacy/status/674320083250864131
Foster’s Market Favorites is my must-have!
The Cook and the Baker- shared on twitter!
The Jacques Pepin book appeals to me the most!
Thanks for the heads up on Mezzogiorno, it’s definitely going on my WishList!
Jacques Pepin Heart and Soul in the Kitchen I would like to get this book sometime!!
Several look good to me – I just looked at Graham Eliot book last weekend. The Fried Chicken book looks fun as does Everyday Baker. I love to cook and any book that has recipes that are a bit different always look good to me.
I shared on Facebook.
Pepin! Love him!
Shared on facebook
The everyday baker bar none and I shared on fb
I would go with Jacques Pepin.
I shared on FB
Ooh, so hard to decide. I guess I would go with “The Four Seasons of Pasta” or “True Thai”.
Fried Chicken!
I put The Everyday Baker on my amazon list! Would love to have that in my kitchen…Thanks and happy holidays!!
Gram Elliot’s book!
I think my favorite would be Jacque Pepin Heart and Soul in the Kitchen
I want The Everyday Baker, and have that on my Wishlist for Christmas, but with my love of the Canadian chefs, I think I really need to get Montreal Cooks.
Fried Chicken looks fabulous!
Southern Baker is one I’d love
And posted on Facebook too.
I really like the Montreal Cooks. It looks like it has some great recipes.
I really like The Southern Baker.
I would pick The Southern Baker
The cook & The baker appeals to me!
Oh, the Herme Macaron book…so pretty!
…and shared on FB.
Shared on facebook
Jacques Pepin. Shared on Facebook
I tend to turn to cookbooks for two reasons: Inspiration for cooking, and recipes for baking. Of all the cookbooks on your list, the one that I would probably use the most is Cook and Baker, but Jacque Pepin’s Heart and Soul in the Kitchen is calling my name, too. Great selection! Thanks.
Montreal cooks. I love the food there.
Cook like a master chef, and everyday baker.
Also shared on Twitter.
The Southern Baker as I am trying to learn how to bake 🙂 Step by step photos would make it so much easier to make an entire recipe correctly!
Cook like a Master Chef!
Shared on Twitter!
I’m interested in the book cook and baker. I always enjoy a new baker book. Thanks for the added chance to win.
Foster’s Market Favorites looks awesome!
Oooh, definitely Mezzogiorno!!
Having Southern Italian relatives, I’m going to have to go with Mezzogiorno as the most intriguing.
Shared on my social media page of Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/219620919306267565/
Foster’s Market Favorites looks awesome!
I shared on Facebook.
I think Cooking Like a Master Chef looks good. The majority of my cooking this year has accommodated my Dad’s low-salt low-fat cardiac diet, so I’m looking forward to the day when I can get back to cooking “fancier” and more flavorful on a regular basis.
Mezzogiorno by Francesco Mazzei i sounds awesome!
I like them all
Cook and Baker or True Thai!
Cook and Baker!
Sweet Thangs!
i like the sound of
Cooking Like a Master Chef
Cook and a Baker