
Fall
is the most glorious time of the year for any cookbook fan,
as a bounty of enticing new titles are released. And while the
pandemic put a wrench in our plans to hold our staff’s annual
cookbook potluck, our devoted booksellers nevertheless took these
books home for a spin in their kitchens and are sharing the delicious
results. Looking for even more great new cookbooks? See our staff
recommendations on page 34.
HOME COOKING
Greenfeast: Autumn, Winter by Nigel Slater,
TEN SPEED PRESS
Cook with Me: 150 Recipes for the Home Cook by Alex Guarnachelli,
CLARKSON POTTER
The Full Plate by Ayesha Curry,
VORACIOUS
Comforting, accessible home cooking is definitely on the menu these
days, and we found several new books to freshen our repertoire.
Greenfeast: Autumn, Winter is just the right
book to turn to when you want to cook
something warm and comforting on a cool
day. Nigel Slater’s vegetarian recipes are
quick and easy, and his writing is lovely. I
made the Tahini, Sesame, Butternut Soup
and my family loved it, but the Leek, Tomato,
Pecorino Crumble really stole the show. If
you’ve never cooked from his books, I
encourage you to do so—and to mark your
calendar for March, when Greenfeast: Spring, Summer will be released!
Jax is new to the cooking world and is just
finding her groove in the kitchen. She finds
recipes much easier to follow when they
are connected to a memory or story or
when the voice of the author feels warm
and encouraging, which was happily the
case with her potluck title, Cook with Me, by
Alex Guarnaschelli. While not necessarily
for someone brand new to the kitchen, this
book is definitely designed for the home
cook and Jax sees it as a great next step for anyone who has been
learning about cooking during shelter-in-place.
Jenny took home The Full Plate and found
Ayesha Curry’s approach to a stocked
pantry and simple but delicious cooking to
be right up her alley. She loved Curry’s
no-rules, fusion approach to flavors and
seasonings and found the book packed
with go-to meals that are full of flavor
without a lot of fuss. Whether you’re
cooking for adults, kids, families, or
gatherings (someday!), you can turn to
The Full Plate for always-tasty, never-boring recipes.
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CALIFORNIA-ITALIAN
Chi Spacca: A New Approach to American Cooking
by Nancy Silverton,
KNOPF
The Barbuto Cookbook: California-Italian Cooking om the
Beloved West Village Restaurant by Jonathan Waxman,
ABRAMS
For the more ambitious home cook, we tried out new books by two
excellent chefs who have defined their culinary careers in California
while being heavily influenced by Italy.
Like its namesake restaurant in Los
Angeles, Chi Spacca, by award-winning
chef Nancy Silverton, is decidedly
meat-centric, but the surprise of this book is
that it has plenty of gorgeous salads and
vegetable dishes as well. We loved Little
Gems with Herb Breadcrumbs, Bacon
Vinaigrette, and Grated Egg just as much
as the Coffee- Rubbed Tri-Tip. Whether you
are an experienced cook who wants to “learn the secrets of cooking
like an Italian butcher,” or simply want to enjoy the recipes of an
exemplary chef, this is an outstanding collection.
I was delighted to find The Barbuto
Cookbook packed with simple, delicious,
appealing recipes that I couldn’t wait to try
and my family couldn’t wait to eat. From his
famous roast chicken to gnocchi to
desserts, Jonathan Waxman shares the
rustic Italian, modern California dishes that
made his restaurant so beloved. While
probably not for the beginner cook, many of
the recipes are surprisingly easy to make,
and any extra effort for these is well worth it.
SOMETHING SWEET
A Good Bake: The Art and Science of Making Perfect Pastries, Cakes,
Cookies, Pies, and Breads at Home by Melissa Weller
KNOPF • NOVEMBER 17TH
Jae says A Good Bake is perfect for anyone
who has dived headfirst into baking during
the shutdown. With its straightforward
tutorials on making the croissants, tarts,
and pie crusts of your dreams, this beautiful
book includes step-by-step photographs
and carefully detailed recipes. Melissa
Weller is one of the most acclaimed bakers
in the country and her book is one you will
use for years to come.
COOKBOOK POTLUCK by Stefanie Berntson
Stefanie Berntson has had the pleasure of being the cookbook buyer
at Bookshop Santa Cruz for over 25 years.
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