My Favorite Cookbooks

My last post about Christmas recipes got me to thinking, which got me to writing, which got me here. Now I've been known to partake in libations, imbibe, and swill on some of grandpa's cough syrup from time to time, and the winter holidays are no exception. Sure alcohol is not a necessary fun factor in celebrations, but if you are going to get me to warble Christmas songs or don a Santa outfit, it doesn't hurt to ply me with a few cocktails beforehand.

Being a man who thrives on flavors, I tend to treat my drinks like I do my food - I'm always up for trying something new and get bored with the same meal or drink if I have it too often. Problem is though, unlike my knowledge of food, I don't know my way around a corkscrew, martini shaker, or a fancy mini umbrella - so I usually end up with a glass of "the usual".

That's why I started adding drinks to my cookbook collection. I'm still pretty green when it comes to my knowledge of mixology, beers, and wines, but it's a fun process...especially when it's time to taste a sample or two.

Here may be your first, and last wine book, it's just that good. It basically gives you the rundown of all things wine. Actually, I'd suggest having two books - this book plus find a book about your local wine and wineries.

The Oxford Companion to Wine, 3rd Edition

If you like pairing cocktails with food or a theme, then this next book is to die for. Tony's worked with some great chefs creating inspired drinks.


The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails

Of course though, you hardly need the booze in a drink for it to be tasty. Nothing wrong with abstaining from alcohol, plus you need to include the kids in the holiday fun so it's great to have some neat drinks for them.


Zero Proof Cocktails: Alcohol-Free Beverages for Every Occasion

And don't forget, taxis are a lot cheaper than attorneys...don't drink and drive. Happy Holidays!

Like every year, this Christmas my belt will buckle, the seams of my pants and shirt will strain, and I will become groggy with pleasure - for I am an eater. Everywhere you go and everyone you visit has some sort of treat or goody to offer. You can literally feel each pound latch on moment by moment as you attend gatherings throughout December. Gifts of chocolate and bon bons are shared and we make New Year vows to curb this self indulgent behavior come January. Then it all reaches a celebratory climax on the day of eating days, Christmas. And you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way. There are few times throughout the year where we can feel totally at ease overindulging and Christmas is definitely one of them.

With food playing such an important role in celebrating the winter holidays, it's always a good idea to know what you are doing in the kitchen and keeping your recipes fresh and interesting.

Debbie Macomber's book is not only packed full of great Christmas recipes, but also a great read as she shares her personal thoughts on the holidays.


Debbie Macomber's Christmas Cookbook: Favorite Recipes and Holiday Traditions from My Home to Yours

William Sonoma also has a great Christmas cookbook with some classic renditions of holiday favorites.


Christmas (Williams-Sonoma)

Though not specifically tailored for Christmas, I had to share this book with you. These self proclaimed "Mompreneurs" have some incredibly delicious recipes.


The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen: Live Well, Laugh Often, Cook Much

And lastly, what's the holidays without some "spirit", wink, wink. Yes, I'm saying booze.


Christmas Drinks

So whatever you end up doing, or eating, or drinking this holiday season, please enjoy yourself and "arrive alive, don't drink and drive."

Ahh yes, tis about that time when our winter fast begins so that we may overindulge for a couple weeks around Christmas time. Aside from the occasional bearded growth, Santa and I have another common denominator - Christmas cookies. But I have to admit, I don't limit my sweet, sinful lusting to just Christmas cookies, I love all Christmas desserts. Save but for one, the dreaded fruit cake. It's a bit cliched to hate fruit cake, but I do. My favorite is, hands down, shortbread cookies. The way their flaky crispness melts away into a buttery mouthful of sheer delight is nothing short of a Christmas miracle. But regardless of your preferred choice for sugary bliss may be, I wish you sweet eats this holiday season.


Bake Me I'm Yours...Christmas: Over 20 delicious festive treats - cookies, cupcakes, brownies & more


Christmas Baking Book for Children (Usborne First Cookbooks)


Betty Crocker's Cooky Book


I'm Dreaming of a Chocolate Christmas


Good Housekeeping The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook: 60 Large-Batch Recipes to Bake and Share

Good food doesn't have to be pretentious or overly complicated and probably one of the more famous chefs to illustrate this point is Britain's very own, Jamie Oliver. He has a straight forward, easily accessible, and easily learned approach to food. He let's his ingredients do the talking and prepares them in an easy to understand way.


Jamie Oliver's Meals in Minutes: A Revolutionary Approach to Cooking Good Food Fast

By the title some of you will guess I'm talking about Rachael Ray. I hate her television talk show (not her cooking shows)...I mean the kind of hate that makes you want to kick a puppy for no other reason that to quell the boiling rage burning inside so you don't explode into a supernova. However, I do love her as well. Not only does she seem like genuinely kind hearted person, but she also has a good culinary sense about her. One of the first food t.v. shows I started watching was her "30 Minute Meals" as well as, "$40 a Day". This side of her makes me want to snuggle with puppies.

Her cooking techniques are largely home cooked meals with an Italian influence. Very easy to learn, a little challenging to master, but very rewarding either way.

One of the biggest challenges of a cook, home or professional, is figuring out what to make. Sometimes it feels like a "been there done that" type of food rut and the mental menus you are concocting seem a bit stale. Here's where Rachael Ray steps in....hate her or love her, she has a recipe for everyday of the year.


Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats--A Year of Deliciously Different Dinners (A 30-Minute Meal Cookbook)

Paula Deen's success story is that of a movie of the week. She was working as a bank teller and in 1989 she divorced her first husband. With her two sons in tow, and $200 to her name, she moved to Savannah. Even though she had no professional cooking experience, she started a small catering company called "The Bag Lady" and from there the legend grew.

Southern cooking is as much about love as it is about technique. The flavors are familiar and hardy, warm, and welcoming with a big focus on sweet and savory meals. It is also a good introduction into learning how to cook as the techniques can be utilized for so many other styles of cooking.

"The Lady and Sons" was not only Paula's first venture into the restaurant business, it was also the title of her first cookbook. And as one astute reviewer noted, it's "just plain good cooking".


Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics: The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook and The Lady & Sons, Too!

Micheal Smith may not be a household name across the globe but he has quietly amassed a loyal following for creating easily accessible food while patiently explaining the ingredients and necessary steps to creating great meals.

Though his roots are firmly planted in East Coast traditions, his extensive knowledge of all things culinary show up in every dish. You can see the influence of Italy, France, India, Africa, Asia, with a lot of his cooking. But don't be intimidated by this. Not only are his dishes flavorful, they are also straightforward to prepare, largely thanks to Smith's understanding that not everyone has a pro cooking career under their belt.


Chef at Home

Ina Garten knows how to entertain. Which Ina fan hasn't wanted to sit in a garden with Ina Garten - all the while enjoying some of her classic dishes, tasty beverages, and admiring her tasteful table setting. She is t.v.'s quintessential charming hostess. She's upscale without being pretentious and is a nice distraction from your typical home cooked meals.

Ina is also a great reminder that you can be a fantastically wonderful cook through utilizing cook books. The former analyst learned to cook from, you guessed it, cook books. Prior to opening her catering company, "The Barefoot Contessa" refined her recipes through feedback from her dinner party guests and soon became a celebrated chef, author, and t.v. personality.


The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

This book has stood the test of time and distinguished itself among the pack by having a singular focus--developing recipes that work the first time and every time; it's as simple as that. For the first time since the magazine's inception, more than 2,000 of Cook's Illustrated's landmark recipes have been carefully compiled into a wide-ranging compendium that shows you how to make your favorite dishes better. A must-have collection for fans of Cook's Illustrated (and any discerning cook), The Cook's Illustrated Cookbook will keep you cooking for a lifetime--and guarantees impeccable results.


The Cook's Illustrated Cookbook: 2,000 Recipes from 20 Years of America's Most Trusted Cooking Magazine

Buddy Valastro is The Cake Boss and for a very good reason - he knows how to bake. His desserts are not only delicious, but often a work of art. Long before his television debut, his family run bake shop already had a huge and loyal customer base. Basically he was famous before being famous.

Buddy has an everyman flair about him. He's your neighbor, your brother, your cousin, a co-worker, or a even just a buddy. And if you follow you his instructions he will also be your cooking instructor. Instead of relying on some cake in a box, store bought, mediocre, offering to finish off a meal or celebrate a special occasion, you can whip up a delightfully decadent dessert that will wow your guests.


Baking with the Cake Boss: 100 of Buddy's Best Recipes and Decorating Secrets

Winter is just around the corner (it's mid-November as I'm writing this) and nothing warms dem cold bones better than some hearty soups or a nice helping of stew or chili. What can I say that these dishes don't say for themselves. They are often what is best in comfort food. Not only that, they are often easy to prepare, can be made in large batches to last days, and utilize leftovers to reduce your grocery bill. With hundreds of recipes to choose from, this book will ensure you won't get bored of these dishes.


Soups, Stews & Chilis

Chef Flay is impressive. He is a a successful restauranteur, an Iron Chef, a Throwdown'er, and a Boy Meets Grill type of guy. He loves all things food and you can still see his passion and drive every time he cooks. He also has a passion for his country and celebrates all the diversity local cooking has to offer. He also proves that not only is American Cuisine alive and well, it is also delicious.


Bobby Flay's Bar Americain Cookbook: Celebrate America's Great Flavors

So you've learned a thing or two in the kitchen by now and want to step up your game. You want to go big league. Well then, there really is no better coach than the late, great Julia Child. If ever there was a no-nonsense approach to French cooking and all it's glory, it is because of Julia Child. Inside Mastering the Art of French cooking she has painstakingly detailed the step-by-step process of every technique and ingredient. It is truly one of my favorite go-to books in my collection and without fail, one of the greatest cookbooks of all time - both for pros and novices alike. Having this book in your collection will almost guarantee becoming a master in the kitchen.


Mastering the Art of French Cooking (2 Volume Set)