*or the mom figure in your life. Or yourself, ’cause treat yo’self.
Tomorrow is a Mother’s Day and my powers of procrastinating are strong. My go to gift of knitthings aren’t happening because knitting things haven’t been happening so I need ideas.
Gift inspiration has come from this new endeavor Raya and I have started. Getting comfortable with the kitchen, cooking wonderful meals and, in some cases, growing my own food feels almost empowering and euphoric and I want to share this feeling with the friend and family I love.
For the sweet tooth
Family Dinner
An American Family Cooks by Judith Choate with Michael Choate & Christopher Choate.
Join award-winning cookbook author Judith Choate in the kitchen and at the table as she and her family of foodies celebrate the new American home cooking. Within its beautifully photographed and delightfully illustrated pages, one will find a sophisticated, yet cook-friendly variety of recipes that meld influences from the fundamentals of traditional home cooking, classic follow-to-the-letter French techniques, contemporary California cuisine, exciting ethnic dishes, holiday classics and the most simple and satisfying of family meals.
This is a beautifully written book that is both approachable and a welcome challenge. Recipes are accompanied by anecdotes featuring Judith and members of her family. It’s a complete book for a novice in the kitchen but also suitable for an experienced chef.
Philly Flare
Magpie: Sweets and Savories from Philadelphia’s Favorite Pie Boutique
Baker-owner Holly Ricciardi’s upbringing deep in the Central Pennsylvania countryside provided the basis for Magpie’s perfect synthesis of classic favorites and new twists-alongside down-home favorites like Sweet Crumb Pie and Shoofly Pie you’ll find Holly’s bourbon-infused update of her great-grandmother’s special butterscotch pie as well as the ingenious (and instant-sellout) Cookie Dough Hand Pies. More than 90 recipes included.
The Philly food scene has become so incredible and flipping through this drool worthy book offers one a chance to check out Philly from wherever you are. Making pie is not my thing but the recipes make me actually excited about giving them a try. Whether it’s a sweet tooth or a more savory palate, the recipes in this book will get your gift recipient the power to satisfy.
Hug with Food
Cooking with Love: Comfort Food that Hugs You
For Carla, the only way to make truly comforting food is to cook it from the heart, and in Cooking with Love, she shows you that love with her tempting, inspiring recipes for all sorts of sumptuous dishes, displayed in beautiful full-color photographs. Carla also tells funny, poignant tales of her own life cooking with family, friends, and fellow chefs.
At first the recipes in this book seem a bit daunting but don’t fret; Carla’s recipes are possible, easy to recreate and delicious! Reading how Carla came to develop the recipes is a wonderful personal touch and it’s actually possible to get food that looks like the pictures!
Plant based
At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen: Celebrating the Art of Eating Well by Amy Chaplin
A sophisticated vegetarian cookbook with all the tools you need to be at home in your kitchen, cooking in the most nourishing and delicious ways—from the foundations of stocking a pantry and understanding your ingredients, to preparing elaborate seasonal feasts.
This is another beautiful book to flip through and savor and imagine the possibilities. Amy’s recipes will be a wonderful addition to anyone looking to transition to a plant-based diet.
These books will make a lovely addition to anyone’s home library and allow one to create wonderful meals for entertaining and satisfying different appetites.