Food: I love to eat it and talk about it and I love to read about it, too. This time of year I love to look for new cookbooks. What is it about a new cookbook that appeals to me? It should be like a visit with a friend who’s sharing some new recipes she’s tried and loved. You know that only really good friends share their best recipes. Since you are a good friend of mine, I’ll tip you off to a couple of great new books.
This first book comes from a blogger I’ve been following for several years. Find her blog HERE.) In her blog she tells about her transformation from city girl to Oklahoma ranch wife and mother. Her blog is colorful, humorous, and just plain fun. She’s often shares recipes on her blog and I find them simple and original. The recipes are explained with her own superb photography.
The Pioneer Woman Cooks
by Ree Drummond
In her own words here is what the book is about: The Pioneer Woman Cooks is a homespun collection of photography, rural stories, and scrumptious recipes that have defined my experience in the country. I share many of the delicious cowboy-tested recipes I’ve learned to make during my years as an accidental ranch wife—including Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce, Lasagna, Fried Chicken, Patsy’s Blackberry Cobbler, and Cinnamon Rolls—not to mention several “cowgirl-friendly” dishes, such as Sherried Tomato Soup, Olive Cheese Bread, and CrÈme BrÛlÉe. I show my recipes in full color, step-by-step detail, so it’s as easy as pie to follow along.
The book can be pre-ordered at Amazon
Another book that caught my attention comes from Naida Natali and her daughter. The author noticed my obsession with food books and asked if I’d like to take a look at her new book. Here’s what it is about.
The Blue Heron Ranch Cookbook
by Naida Natali and illustrated by Marica Natali Thompson.
The Blue Heron Ranch Cookbook, based on Cooking Off the Grid, also by Nadia Natali, blends 126 tasty, healthful recipes with lively tales of the Natali family’s adventures living close to the land—in the wilds of California’s Los Padres National Forest. Nadia Natali’s varied dishes, suitable for any group or family, are presented in a simple style that makes them both visually appealing.
Recipes include Blue Heron Ranch Potato Leek Soup, Saturday Market Quiche, Miso Pine Salmon, Ojai Bouillabaisse, Early Morning Rice Cream, Aunt Ev’s Cardamom Bundt Cake, and Honey Almond Chai.
These two look good to me. What new books have you found lately? Anyone find a new cookbook? For other new Friday Finds, visit MizB at Should Be Reading.
NORTHERN CALLIFORNIA
OH — my daughter and I are hoping to go to Pioneer Woman’s book signing here in Kansas City the middle of November. She has such a witty writing style, and her recipes are Mmmmm…..Mmmmmm…..good!
Finding cookbooks is great! I love to read about new recipes!
Here is mine: Friday Find: Waiting for Columbus by Thomas Trofimuk
The cover of The Blue Heron Ranch reminds me a bit of Moosewood, one of my favorite cookbooks ever – and that’s a cookbook I love so much not only for the recipes but partially because of the FONT, if you can believe it!
Two nice finds!! I’ve been trying to avert my eyes from cookbooks. I really, really don’t need more.
I used to follow The Pioneer Woman religiously but she got big quickly and to me, lost that personal side. Her site is very commericial now. However, I would probably still give her cookbook a whirl as I’ve made many of her recipes in the past.
I love to page through cookbooks.
That first one looks like a great one for Fall. I’ll have to look for it.
Cookbooks define the gender divide. Genevieve will sometimes start to read a recipe to me out of a cookbook, nearly breathless with delight, as if it was the most inspiring poetry ever set to page. Genevieve: “this is an amazing cookbook, listen to this – two cups of flour, a cup of sugar, TWO pinches of salt (wow!), and one gargoolian ramboton …” Christopher: [yawn, not looking away from car chase on TV] “yes, wow, that sounds incredible.” Genevieve: “and then you add one egg, and some baking soda … doesn’t that just sound amazing?” Christopher: “Indeed. I bet you couldn’t make it though, sounds too complicated.” [this is an effective negative psychology technique]. Genevieve: “oh yeah? well just watch this …” Christopher: [smiles smugly] “I’m going to continue watching my show with lots of explosions and car chases ….”
But her effective negative psychology technique is to read recipes in my general direction until I buy her more cookbooks to read, since I know she loves them so …
Cx
How neat to see a blogger making the leap from blog world to publishing a real book. : )
I hadn’t heard of Pioneer Woman until recently – her cookbook sounds great (I’d love to read her memoirs!).
We do most of our cookbook shopping at Costco – it is such a dangerous spot for us, because both Ward and I love reading cookbooks. We also pick up a fair number of cookbooks online in the bargain books section – one of our favorites is called Japanese Pure and Simple by Kimiko Barber which we bought for $6.99 or some ridiculously low price like that, and it’s a wonderful cookbook!
What gender divide? Many great cooks are men. Many women are loathe to boil water. For many of us, a new cookbook is the map to new treasures.