I've been working on the
Milwaukee Holiday Shopping Guide and should be ready to post by Thursday. While I was gathering ideas, I realized that cookbooks really need to be their own section. As the post-college stage of life merges into real adult life, cooking dinner and grocery lists becomes a part of everyday life. And everybody needs a good cookbook to guide them though that stage of life. I gathered a few good examples of Classic Everyday Essential Cookbooks that make great gifts because the new owner is bound to use it again and again. I checked with Boswell Books, they stock a lot of these books, but if not, they will do a special order. Spoiler alert: If you're on my Christmas list, you're probably getting one of these cookbooks.
Baked: New Frontiers in Baking A letter from your office co-workers: I'm tired of your frozen cookie dough cookies. Make me something awesome like sweet and salty cake or cheddar chipotle biscuits.
The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution This is the antidote to elaborate french gourmet cooking. I was given this book last Christmas and continually reference it for solid and consistent simple recipes that are the foundation for my cooking. It teaches you how to improve your basic cooking techniques, appreciate the natural flavors of food, and use fresh natural seasonally available produce and meats. Great recipes for utilizing those odd or abundant vegetables found at farmer's markets.
America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook: Heavy-duty Revised Edition This book is derived from the popular PBS TV show by the same name and the Cooks Illustrated magazine (I love both of these). These recipes are tested again and again into an exact scientific recipe so they are PERFECT. All that detail is worth it, because these recipes will NEVER let you down. So go ahead and showoff at your next dinner party.
The French Market: More recipes from a French Kitchen I bought this book mostly for its beautiful photography. I love the rustic, effortlessly style of it all. Very french chic. Lots of vegetable soups, healthy salads, dijon chicken. All the proceeds go to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders).
Flavor Wisconsin: An Informal History of Food and Eating in the Badger State Part history, part recipes. But not just any recipes: Hearty, home cooked "Grandma-style" recipes inspired by the Old Country and made with food from the farm. If you ever wanted to cook like your grandma, get this book.
