The Cookbook Junkies

Big Gay Ice Cream has to be one of the most fun books of 2015.  Along the lines of Milk Bar Life, it is hip, cool and screams play with me.

The year book themed treat book with celeb “don’t ever change” graffiti, huge plops of color throughout and delicious recipes for ice cream and their toppings makes this book killer.

Bourbon Butterscotch, Orange-Tequila Caramel, Banana-Cocoa Puree and Blueberry-Balsamic Sauce confirms that this book isn’t your mama’s ice cream book – unless your mama is super cool.  This mama is.

Floats, shakes and sundaes make us yearn for warmer weather.  Frankensauce which is thrown together with chili flakes, ginger, carrot and vinegar – blows my mind.  The book contains testimonials from more super cool celebs and everything you need to make yourself the most awesome ice cream and all the fixins maker in the neighborhood.

This book is a keeper.  We’re going to break in our ice cream maker in the next few weeks.  Yes, the one I bought two years ago because it was orange and pretty and I wanted to make homemade ice cream.  Tune back in to see what we cool creation we create from this book.

I scream.  You scream.  We all scream for Big Gay Ice Cream. 

Thanks Blogging for Books for this copy.

 

 

 

 

Monica Bhide, author of some of my most favorite cookbooks — Modern Spice:  Inspired Indian Flavors for the Contemporary Kitchen, The Spice is Right:  Easy Indian Cooking for Today and The Everything Indian Cookbook has a wonderful new book titled A Life of Spice:  Stories of Food, Culture and Life.

This book is a lovely and entertaining read.  When Monica first released the book on Kindle, I purchased it and devoured it.  Her relatable writing style pulls you in and keeps you with her.  Sprinkled in the stories are helpful essays on a variety of spices — sage, turmeric, fennel seeds and more.  Monica is a gifted writer and her cookbooks are some of my favorite treasures.

As I was preparing this post, I just noticed that I missed one of her essay books published last year – The Devil in Us which I just downloaded.  I’m sure it will be just as thoughtful as her current title.

Monica has generously sent me four autographed copies of her book to giveaway to four readers.   This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only.  Please leave one comment here telling me if you have any of Monica’s books.  A random winner will be chosen on June 8th.  Good luck.

 

Random Number Generator — four winners chosen — 18 Jean Cho 20 Larissa Prusak 40 Donna Currie and 43 Monique Potel — need your addresses sent to icywit@gmail.com – congratulations!

My friend, Aileen Bordman, has created a work of art in her and Derek Fell’s new book Monet’s Palate Cookbook. This beautiful book, not only is a visual feast for your eyes, but also offers culinary rewards as well in the form of luscious recipes.

Monet’s Palate Cookbook is brimming with stunning photos of Monet’s beloved kitchen gardens as well as photos of many of the tempting dishes that are set out in the book.

Camembert Fritters with Apple and Raisin Chutney sound perfect as an appetizer.  Roasted Carrot Soup with Ginger, Cumin, Coriander and Toasted Almonds looks comforting on this cold, rainy Colorado day.  Boeuf Bourguignon with Rosemary Puff Pastry Crust, Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding with Gruyere and Herbs and Gratin of Turbot, Carrots and Leeks with Cider and Cream are three of the recipes in the Main Courses chapter that jumped off the page.  There is a chapter on Garden-Inspired Side Dishes as well — perfect for using the bounty from our summer gardens. The Desserts chapter has sweet endings such as Rosemary Butter Sandwich Cookies with Fig Jam and Normandy French Apple Tart and we finish with the Craft Cocktails and Spirits offerings.

Special thanks to Aileen and her publisher for sharing the recipe for Chilled Asparagus Salad with Olives.

This book offers something for everyone — a foreword by Meryl Streep, a wonderful narrative about Monet’s Home and Kitchen Garden, the recipes and, of course, gorgeous photographs.

GIVEAWAY:  Gibbs Smith and Aileen Bordman are offering one of you a copy of this fantastic book.  The giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only.  Please leave a comment on this post by June 5th.  Random Number Generator will chose a winner on that date.  Winner will be notified by e-mail and posted in the group. Good luck!

Random Number Generator picked #16 Lynda Herman — I’ve sent you an e-mail! Congratulations.