"People who love to eat are always the best people"
- Julia Child
Do you have a passion for food? Or are you just stumped about what to make for dinner tonight?
Well, I have a mouth-watering mix of cook books for you to peruse.
You may remember author Valli Little's previous book Faking It: How to Cook Delicious Food without Really Trying. Now, she has another wonderful collection of recipes titled Quick, Smart, Cook: Delicious Food Without the Fuss. Valli has covered everything from coconut pancakes to Moroccan cottage pie. This book is filled with clever ideas and beautiful pictures.
The Mediterranean diet is very much in fashion these days for the heart-healthy, healthy-fat options, not to mention the variety and flavour of the ingredients. Check out Mediterranean Cookbook: Fresh, Fast and Easy Recipes (from Spain, Provence and Tuscany to North Africa and the Middle East). Colourful illustrations and step-by-step instructions make this book very user friendly.
If you watch the Food Network, you may be familiar with Extra Virgin, a program showcasing the culinary talents of married couple Gabriele Corcos and Debi Mazar. Their new book Extra Virgin: Recipes and Love from our Tuscan Kitchen is filled with fabulous and simply elegant recipes, not to mention a few anecdotes from their days in Tuscany. Be sure to try the Lasagne alla Bolognese - bellissimo!
With the cooler weather setting in, some of us are looking forward to the comfort food season of soups, stews and other family favourites. Cooking Light has published Comfort Food: Home-Cooked Delicious Classics Made Light. Everything from tuna casserole (yummy!) to pizza dough to good old mac 'n' cheese, all delicious and all just a little bit on the lighter side.
Speaking of comfort food, Vancouver's own Burgoo restaurant has published Burgoo: Food for Comfort, with all of its most popular recipes. Everything from fondue to scrumptious salads, boeuf bourguignon to Kentucky Burgoo (and don't forget dessert) is present and accounted for, all with full-colour pictures and easy-to-follow instructions. My favourite is the Macaroni and More.
Another Vancouver eatery has published its own book of recipes: Butter Baked Goods: Nostalgic Recipes from a Little Neighbourhood Bakery. This is a gorgeous book to look at, pretty as a picture and full of delectable recipes. Every recipe I have tried so far has been absolutely amazing and the staff here at Coquitlam Public Library is equally pleased: nutty chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting and morning glory muffins - so scrumptious you'll want to try every recipe.
If you are trying to be good -unlike me - you may want to check out library collections of paleo, gluten-free or vegan diet cookbooks.
Paleo Slow Cooking: Over 140 Practical, Primal, Whole-Food Recipes for the Electric Slow-Cooker by Dominique DeVito is the perfect book for the paleo-conscious cook with a full schedule.
For a snazzy gluten-free read, check out Gluten-free Girl Everyday by Shauna James Ahern - great combinations and fresh ingredients mean you won't be disappointed.
And for vegan delights, take a look at Isa Does It: Amazingly Easy, Wildly Delicious Vegan Recipes for Every Day of the Week by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. This is definitely a go-to guide for funky and delicious vegan recipes - animal-friendly with attitude.
Find these and other culinary delights at your local library - and get cooking.
A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published on Wednesdays. Melani Williams works at Coquitlam Public Library.
