topic Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT? in Kitchen

What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

Sooner — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:03:16 GMT

Williams-Sonoma Cooking at Home anniversary edition

Since it is the giving season, I thought it would be nice to suggest some cookbooks we think would make a great gift.

I was just looking through the new Williams-Sonoma Cooking at Home anniversary edition, and started to think what a great gift it would make. It is a big beautiful book, not cheap!, but full of fairly basic recipes that would not be difficult to make--most anyway.

It has great variety, and appeal for something a little different without being exotic or full of hard to find ingredients. I think of all my books, this is one I could count on to pull out and make a meal for company that would be interesting and appealing to most people, but would use pretty basic ingredients.

Anyway, for someone who loves to cook and entertain, I don't think you could go wrong with this one!

EMERIL Cooking with Power
Do you know someone who loves kitchen appliances? They would be thrilled with this book! I have just gotten a copy but haven't cooked out of it yet. But it has lots of good looking recipes for those electrics in the kitchen.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

Carmie — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:24:52 GMT

I always give " The Fannie Farmer Cookbook" as a gift. I am a seasoned cook, but still use mine for recipes and reference it often.

It's a must for every kitchen IMO.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

Dusty1 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:13:02 GMT

The Pioneer Woman Cookbooks. I just bought the new one-The Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime. It's a beautiful book. Full of color & pictures & easy to follow instructions. Taste Of Home Christmas also made me buy it. Desserts are my favorite thing to make & this has some good ones. If I was gifting a cookbook I would be sure to try & suit it to the person, of course, but these are the 2 I had to buy.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

rhinovodka — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:33:10 GMT

Budget Bytes by Beth Moncel. Love her blog and she has really practical recipes.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

deepwaterdotter — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:39:26 GMT

I reference both my "Betty Crocker Cookbook" and "Cook's Illustrated Cookbook" on a weekly basis.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

Poodlepet2 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:50:36 GMT

If you have somebody with health concerns-such as diabetes, or who is struggling with weight, I absolutely love Marlene Koch and her "Eat What You Love" books. I also love the books put out by Cook's Country (the PBS series)......Taste of Home never dissapoints.....there are so many really good cook books out there and I collect them. By all means, you could certainly tailor them to a person's needs. My son and his girl friend have recently discovered the joys of slow cooking. They have a crock pot, but he's getting ready to buy a house. For his birthday I bought him the Le Creuset TSV and a Le Creuset cookbook that I know they will use.(My plan is to add new pieces every year to his collection). I have a few of Ree Drummond's books and they are wonderful for beginners because she takes you step by step with her gorgeous photography, but seasoned cooks would enjoy them too.....alas.....so many great ideas and so many delicious ways to prepare and enjoy, but so little body to store those calories on!!!!

Poodlepet2

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

Jasmine19 — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 15:52:44 GMT

Do you have children on your list? Williams Sonoma has the American Girl Baking Cookbook. I gave it to my 8 year old granddaughter for her birthday. It makes a cute gift packaged with a colorful spatula. I tried to purchase it on Amazon but apparently it's exclusive to WS until March.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

fashionqueen — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 16:15:04 GMT

I like the smaller, hardbound cookbooks offered at Barnes and Noble. Even though they're small, they're not overwhelming, they're easy to store and contain great recipes. I also like the Fix it and Forget it cookbooks. If they're a baker, I recommend The Cake Mix Doctor.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

IamMrsG — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 16:21:31 GMT

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

jackthebear — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 16:24:46 GMT

Basic cookbook Joy of Cooking, good reference for cooking everything

does the person want a cookbook?

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

fthunt — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 16:32:24 GMT

For pressure cooking I would not recommend "Cooking under pressure" (cute name tho) by QVC BlueJean Chef. It was advertised as using items in your pantry. Well, not in my pantry- what is Arugula or Quinoa rice and you'll need Madeira wine.

Poof, your shopping bill will triple.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

Puzzle Piece — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 16:40:37 GMT

Depends on the Cook. Lots of good Ethinic Cooking Books out there. Food from India, Mexico, China, etc.

Do they like Vegetarian Cooking? Lots of choices there.

Then there's always those with health/weight issues. You might start by narrowing your search with what the cook is all about.

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debic — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 17:14:02 GMT

Mark Bittman is one of my favorites. I have several ebooks and hard copies.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

Winifred — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 17:14:47 GMT

I would never give a recommendation for a cookbook - like giving one for a MD. No one agrees. LOL. But through the years, for me has been Betty Crocker, have several generations of that cookbook and also cookbooks put together by organizations are always outstanding.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

sfnative — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 19:02:17 GMT

Over the years, I've tried a number of recipes from Wms Sonoma, only to find them nearly one note dishes and rather disappointing. But, that's just me.

If I were to gift someone with a cookbook, it would not be instructional or complicated. I'd probably go with The New York Times Cookbook, which has a really nice range of recipes with a decent geographic range.

Re: What COOKBOOK would you recommend for a GIFT?

Blk&GoldFan — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:17:29 GMT

CARMIE....i agree with you on the Fanny Farmer cookbook. My mother gave this to me when I married MANY years ago and I still reference it weekly. I also loved anything done by America's Test Kitchen....enjoy reading the testing they do to get to the best product.

WINIFRED... LOL! .Excellent point that no one will ever agree on a cookbook recommendation.

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Sooner — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 15:19:42 GMT

@debic wrote:
Mark Bittman is one of my favorites. I have several ebooks and hard copies.

Fast is a great book to help someone learn how to cook efficiently. I had to cook for a family as a teen when I wasn't in school, and learned to do things that speed up the process and cut down on dirty dishes as this book outlines. For the new cook, or one who seems to find it difficult to cook, this is a great book if they really want to learn and be more efficient.

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debic — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 15:34:43 GMT

@Sooner My son bought himself the first one and I bought him the fast one in an ebook.

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Sooner — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 15:35:56 GMT

@debic wrote:
@Sooner My son bought himself the first one and I bought him the fast one in an ebook.

Maybe it's a guy thing? My husband cooks a lot and often reaches for these cookbooks first!

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debic — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 16:39:01 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@debic wrote:
@Sooner My son bought himself the first one and I bought him the fast one in an ebook.
Maybe it's a guy thing? My husband cooks a lot and often reaches for these cookbooks first!

Well it does say simple on the front. LOL My husband can't boil water, but the kid can and does cook.