Good books always come back in circulation. Kiddie Cocktails by Stuart Sandler and retro-illustrator Derek Yaniger is a perfect mix for kids who want cool recipe drinks. The drinks are also ideal for grown-ups too. Kiddie Cocktails is brilliantly illustrated by Derek, and easy to read with Stuart’s easy-to-follow instructions. I have a soft spot for the fonts used in the book.
Franckie Alarcon (The Secrets of Chocolate) returns to the culinary world with this informative and appetizing comics chronicle covering every aspect of the Japanese sushi experience from growing rice and making soy sauce to the many ways fish are caught and prepared. Alarcon travels from France to Tokyo to the Japanese countryside, interviewing sushi chefs working with both traditional and modern techniques, following fishermen, and meeting artisanal craftspeople from all the industries that help make sushi so delicious.
Cayla Gallagher is your spooky food hostess this Halloween. The YouTube sensation who goes by the name pankobunny recently released her third book called Spooky Food 80 Fun Halloween Recipes for Ghosts, Ghouls, Vampires, Jack-o-Lanterns, Witches, Zombies, and More. This is a fun book for those who want to take their Halloween activities to the next level. Cayla takes her craft seriously and passes her knowledge to you to have a whimsical Halloween. You will find all your Halloween theme standards from witches, bats, and zombies. There is not a ghost of a chance you will not funny that you will not enjoy in Spooky Food. Treat yourself this year and spook your family and friends with a copy of Spooky Food by Cayla Gallagher.
The Secret History of Food is a rich and satisfying exploration of the historical, cultural, scientific, sexual, and, yes, culinary subcultures of this most essential realm. Siegel is an armchair Anthony Bourdain, armed not with a chef’s knife but with knowledge derived from medieval food-related manuscripts, ancient Chinese scrolls, and obscure culinary journals. Funny and fascinating, The Secret History of Food is essential reading for all foodies.
Stuff happens when you are cooking. Your dish does not turn out as desired. What can be a complete disaster can easily be rescued with a little creativity. Cal Peternell the bestselling author of Twelve Recipes wants to help you turn your kitchen disaster into a delish outcome that all can enjoy. Sometimes a little bad experience can turn into something special. Burnt Toast and Other Disasters by Cal Peternell is your perfect weapon to rescue your kitchen mishap. Keep calm and cook on.
Shaq’s love of food, eating, and family cooking began in his childhood home, where his mom cooked for him and his three siblings. With his own family, he carries on the commitment to creating family connections and fun through food. In Shaq’s Family Style, featuring his inimitable sense of humor, he shares eighty recipes for bringing family together around the table, plus 100 photographs to whet the appetite.
When food writer Matt Rodbard met chef Daniel Holzman while covering the opening of his restaurant, the Meatball Shop, on New York’s Lower East Side, it was a match made in the question. More than a decade later, the pair have remained steadfast friends—they write a popular column together, and talk, text, and DM about food constantly. Now, in Food IQ, they’re sharing their passion and a deep curiosity for home cooking, and the food world zeitgeist, with the world.
When it comes to Portuguese cookbooks, you will be pressed to find that many in your local bookstore. Portugal has a wealth of foods to offer. There is a magical aroma around the foods that are passed down from generation to generation. The sea-faring country delves into oceanic traditions to hark back to the old days that seem to be trapped in a timeless loop in mainland Portugal.
Tara Nurin’s book, A Woman’s Place Is in the Brewhouse: A Forgotten History of Alewives, Brewsters, Witches, and CEOs, makes you think differently about beer.
When I visit the US, I always make it a point to visit Trader Joe’s. As an artist, it is a treasure trove of creativity bursting all over the store.
To celebrate this week’s FRIENDS: The Reunion, which premieres on HBO Max this Thursday, Insight Editions pleased to show a sneak preview of select recipes from FRIENDS: THE OFFICIAL CENTRAL PERK COOKBOOK (Insight Editions; 10/5) for the first time. This is one cookbook that will sell like hotcakes come this fall.
I happened to go to Texas and noticed how big Cinco de Mayo is there. May 5th commemorates the date of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Today it is more festive where friends get together and drink. In Texas non-Mexicans celebrate the event, so why not add a little zing with Filipino bites and drinks. Publisher Tuttle is sharing a unique drink that mixes Mexican Michelada with Filipino beer. Miguel in Hell is a match made in hell. Pulutan: Filipino Bar Bites, Appetizers and Street Eats has some great finger foods to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
IKEA once again is in the forefront with The Scraps Book: A Waste-Less Cookbook. You can download it for free or win a chance to win a hardcopy edition.
Cooking Alone is not your conventional cookbook. You see it was published in 1954 and is less recipe-oriented but a cornucopia witty food banter for distinctive individuals. The book might feel a bit dated but still stands out many years later. The main ingredient of Cooking Alone is wry humor. Kathleen Le Riche cooks us rich vignettes of gastronomic bite-size character-driven delightful recipes.
I was lucky to get an advance copy of Bob’s Burgers Burger Book. Loren Bouchard and the writers of Bob’s Burgers bring out seventy-five original recipes. Living above the 49th parallel I have to wait to get out the barbeque in order to try out these succulent burger recipes. The recipe book is beautifully illustrated with scene stills from the show. Each burger is showcased from each season with numbered episodes. This is one book that Wimpy would love to get his grubby hands on. This is a serious burger recipe book that will satisfy many of those who love hamburgers.
When it comes to cooking with super-heroes, Superman and Batman come to mind. Superman’s super-speed and heat-vision, cooking can be a flash and your food would always be warm. Batman has Alfred who can whip up any exotic recipe at his beckoning. Now when it comes to Deadpool, the Merc with a Mouth has built an extensive appetite for digestion.
Cauliflower is making the rounds in your grocery store in different food offerings. It is a popular pizza crust option for those craving low carbs. Food blogger expert Lindsay Grimes Freedman generously offers us 75 unique cauliflower recipes for all tastes out there. The versatility of cauliflower will increase as an alternative for healthier eating. I strongly recommend you get the latest book from Lindsay Grimes Freedman. Keep an eye for Cauliflower Power: 75 Feel-Good, Gluten-Free Recipes Made with the World’s Most Versatile Vegetable.
Wonder Woman: The Official Cookbook by Briana Volk seems like a natural for the amazing Amazon. One would deduce that her diet would have to be a healthy one considering the longevity of the inhabitants of Paradise Island.
The good folks of Insight Editions graciously sent me two celebrity television show cookbooks to review. I agreed to review the books because I am a fan of both Friends and The Office. If you watched all episodes of both shows, you will appreciate the recipes in each book. I coupled both books in one review. The longevity of both shows has a wealth of food-related stories, this places well into the authors’ hands for source material. Both books capture the true essence of the pop culture riddled shows with references about food. Netflix and Peacock streaming services both increased the popularity of Friends and The Office to newer audiences. These two books are not only for fans but also for serious foodies who want something a little bit more special. There are plenty of fun facts in both books. You will have a new appreciation for the shows.