I just announced this year’s Top Ten Cookbooks on Good Morning America. Hope you had a chance to tune in. You can check out the announcement on GMA’s web site. A copy of the list follows along with some additional cookbooks that are worth a look.
GMA’s 2010 Cookbook Roundup
One Big Table
Molly O’Neill
Simon and Schuster
600 recipes from home cooks, farmers, fishermen, pit masters and chefs. It took Molly 10 years to make. She traveled around the country collecting recipes and getting the stories behind them and ended up with this fascinating portrait of American cooking.
The New York Times Cookbook
Amanda Hesser
Norton
Amanda culled through all the recipes that had appeared in the Times going back to the 1850’s and asked readers to weigh in as well. She tested over 1,400 and ended up with a collection of the most noteworthy. There is an enormous variety – classic, family and international recipes to choose from.
In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite
150 recipes and Stories
Melissa Clark
Hyperion
I love the stories in this book almost as much as the recipes. Melissa has a relaxed style when it comes to dinner with chapters such as “Waffling Toward Dinner” (aka breakfast for dinner), “Things with Cheese,” and “My Mother’s Sandwich Theory of Life.” It is a quirky fun cookbook.
Heart of the Artichoke
David Tanis
Artisan
Another very personal quirky book from an author who spends 6 months of the year heading up the kitchen at the legendary Chez Panisse in San Francisco and the other 6 month living in Paris. It is organized by seasons and features menus for simple rustic meals with a final chapter on “feasts” or cooking for a crowd. It is a cozy, escapist cookbook.
Radically Simple
Rozanne Gold
Rodale
This woman, who has been known for her very clever 3 ingredient cookbooks, has expanded to 6 or even 8 ingredients in this new book.
But even so, these are quick recipes that neither look nor taste like you threw them together. And they work equally well for weeknight meals or for entertaining.
Stir Frying
Grace Young
Simon and Schuster
Grace traveled all over Southeast Asia to find these 100 recipes. The history and technique alone make the book worthwhile but what struck me about the recipes was
1. How much variety there is in stir fry recipes
2. How many vegetables you can pack into a stir fry recipe
3. How healthy and economical this method of cooking is
Food Styling
Delores Custer
Wiley
This is the definitive tome on food styling from the woman who practically invented the craft. She is revered in the industry. Delores tells you everything you need to know to become a successful food stylist.
As Always, Julia
Edited by Joan Reardon
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
A collection of letters, starting in 1952, between Julia Child and her literary mentor Avis de Voto that chronicles her life during the years she was putting together her great first cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.”
Sarabeth’s Bakery
Sarabeth Levine with Rick Rodgers
Rizzoli
Sarabeth Levine has several legendary bakeries in New York City and she is known for her fabulous down home pastries and her jams. This book, her first, is for the serious baker, whether you are a novice or experienced. It’s beautiful looking with many helpful how to photos.
Sweet Magic
Michel Richard with Peter Kaminsky
Harper Collins
In this little gem of a dessert book Michel Richard, an accomplished all around chef (he is the rare expert of both sweet and savory recipes) has given us recipes that are totally within the reach of the home baker, yet appear to be made by a culinary genius.
The Perfect Finish
Bill Yosses with Melissa Clark
Norton
Bill is currently the pastry chef at the White House but he has worked in the industry for years. These are his all time favorite desserts, fancy and simple, that are French, American, Asian or Latin inspired. He offers dessert for every occasion.
Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy
Alice Medrich
Artisan
The title says it all. The book is organized by the texture of the cookie which makes it very easy to find just the cookie you are in the mood for making. It is a fun, inventive book with come hither recipes.
GMA Cookbook Roundup: More Books
What to Cook & How to Cook it
Jane Hornby
Phaidon
A step by step illustrated cookbook that makes it very easy to prepare recipes for every occasion from the lunch box to the dinner party
Perfect One Dish Dinners
Pam Anderson
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Casseroles, stews, roasting pan dinners and salads with everything in one dish plus extra recipes if you want to serve something more
Falling Off the Bone
Jean Anderson
160 stick to your rib recipes featuring the tougher cuts of meat and elevating them to mouthwatering tenderness
Around My French Table
Dorie Greenspan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
A beautiful book celebrating French cuisine that will make you want to pick up and move to Paris.
Pig
King of the Southern Table
James Villas
Wiley
300 tasty recipes from every nook of the south from a southerner who knows a few things about cooking pork
Good to the Grain
Kim Boyce with Amy Scattergood
Stewart Tabori and Chang
Whole grain recipes (featuring 12 kinds of whole grain flours) that prove just how tasty healthy baking can be.
The Gourmet Cookie Book
Gourmet Editors
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
The single best recipe from each year 1941- 2009 and an interesting cookie history as well
