|
|
For the holiday season I always recommend
several cookbooks one of my favorites for this season is
The Babbo Cookbook
By Mario Batali. When I need inspiration on what to
cook for a dinner party or just a special family meal Mario Batali’s
cookbooks are where I turn. Babbo is his newest restaurant in New
York City, but this cookbook does not require that you have the
skills of a restaurant chef. Mr. Batali takes classic Italian cooking
and makes it accessible to the home cook. The introductions to each
recipe are delightful to read and give you good advice. Occasionally
he even suggests a wine to serve with the dish. His philosophy of
cooking is discussed in the introduction of the book and is infused
throughout the text, in practical terms, in the intensely flavored
recipes he shares with the readers. A few of my favorite recipes
from the book are: Goat Cheese Truffles – Three Ways with Peperonata,
Cardoon Grainato, Cod in Saor from the Veneto, Crostini Toscani
(mostly because they remind me of Florence and my favorite restaurant,)
and on and on. How can I really choose favorites? They are all so
good. |
|
Another book I recommend for the holiday season
is
Dishing with
Kathy Casey By Kathy Casey Photographs by E. Jane
Armstrong The subtitle "Food, Fun & Cocktails from Seattle’s
Culinary Diva" says it all. She may be a Diva, but she certainly
knows what she is writing about. This cookbook is a must have
for anyone who likes to entertain. The recipes are easy to follow
and her menu suggestions make planning your next dinner party
a snap. Kathy’s “Chef’s Tips” are great suggestions
to help you perfect your meal and the cocktails are an added bonus
that complete the book and your evening. |
