There is nothing like sitting down to a great cookbook and enjoying the gorgeous pictures and mouth watering recipes. But lately, I’ve been drawn to books (both fiction and non-fiction) that are about food and eating and chefs. There are some great, non-traditional food novels and memoirs out right now. Here are a few of my current suggestions, I encourage you to get reading:

The School of Essential Ingredients (by Erica Bauermeister) – I am currently reading this novel and I haven’t been able to put it down. The author has such a beautiful writing style. You will be instantly transported and affected by this story. A chef holds weekly cooking classes in her restaurants and the novel follows the different life stories of all of her students. Some stories are humorous, some are heartbreaking and some are very surprising, but everyone can find a common ground with cooking. I cannot say enough good things about this novel and I will be looking forward to more work from Bauermeister.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (by Barbara Kingsolver) – I spent an entire summer reading this book. The subject matter was so new to me and so foreign, that I took my sweet time with this book. Kingsolver and her family moved to a farm in Virginia and pledged for a year to eat local, homegrown food. That meant giving up anything that wasn’t in season, wasn’t grown in the garden and wasn’t raised or produced by neighbors. Both their struggles and accomplishments are highlighted in this memoir and it is truly an eye-opening read. I look at food differently now and I think you might too!

Like Water For Chocolate (by Laura Esquival) – What book list would be complete without this novel? This one is slated for a re-read by me sometime in the very near future. This is one of my sister’s favorite books, and favorite movie, and I have to agree! The heroine Tita is bound by tradition to care for her aging mother and thus can never marry. Tita pours her heart and soul into her cooking with some extraordinary results. Relive this classic novel or discover it for the first time. This is a must read!

Yes, it’s true. It’s that time of year again. And while my single-girl-self is not a big fan of Valentine’s Day, I am a big fan of red appliances and cookware! Here are some of my favorites from my favorite affiliate partner, Sur La Table:

This adorable Embossed Heart Cake Plate is perfect for Valentine themed cupcakes and brownies. The ceramic heart pattern is perfect for showing off your baked goods to the ones you love.

Open up your favorite wine for you romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with this great looking corkscrew. The grooved spiral design is even safe to use for plastic corks too and comes with a 5 year warranty.

And finally, in my opinion, nothing says loving like ice cream! Treat your special one to a Cuisinart Red Ice Cream Maker. This is a Sur La Table exclusive product and can make frozen desserts in as little as 20 minutes. The best part about this machine is that no chemicals, salt or ice are required! Also has a removable, double insulated freezer bowl for easy clean up! Strawberry ice cream anyone???

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I don’t wear an apron anymore when I cook and I miss it. I especially missed it while making this recipe for Beef and Red Wine Broth – as I’m pouring hot liquids through a strainer, hot splatters of soup were getting all over me. When I was a kid, I had the coolest apron – it was blue and yellow and had tiny flowers all over it. I’d put it on everytime I got to help my mother out in the kitchen. It was like putting on a uniform. I knew I was going to do some SERIOUS cooking with it on. So I have decided I am going to buy myself an apron to wear. I did a little online shopping – and oh my – how aprons have changed! While at one time aprons might have been seen as a symbol of women’s oppression (“get in the kitchen and cook my dinner, woman”), they are now regarded as some sort of fashion statement in the cooking world. Here are a couple of examples of aprons I love. You might love them too!

The first is a classic, blue stripe apron. Most likely this is the one I will purchase, simply because I’ve seen it worn on Top Chef so many times…maybe if I wear it, I’ll be a top chef too! Classic, simple and it goes with everything:

The second is a gorgeous Italian Seafood print apron. This is the apron I would wear if I didn’t spill so many things. Maybe some calm, sophisticated women can pull it off…but I am not one of those. Especially in the kitchen. When I am a grown up, I am definitely buying this luxurious looking apron:

Here is a cute Mother/Daughter apron set. If you want to teach your daughter some tips and tricks in the kitchen, this is the set for you! Matching Ice Cream Cone Aprons, available in adult and children’s sizes, have an ice cream cone print and precious pink piping and bows adorning it. It is the perfect gift for someone you know:

I am still undecided about which apron I’ll choose, but I know I have to get one. For the love of all of my clothes!

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1) Cooking DVD’s – Even if your aspiring chef loves to watch The Food Network and watches it all day long, he or she can still be inspired by watching DVD’s of cooking shows.  And instead of buying him or her complete season of a show they already watch, try to inspire them with cooks from the past. Just a few weeks ago, my PBS station broadcast a bunch of episodes from Julia Child – The French Chef. And I have to say, I learned a lot from her! They are fun to watch and very informative. I would also suggest Julia & Jacques Cooking At Home which is my all-time favorite cooking show, the banter between Julia Child and Jacques Pepin is hilarious. And try The Best of Graham Kerr with the Galloping Gourmet for lots of laughs and great food!

2) Instructional Books – There are about a million recipe/cookbooks out there that I am desperate to own. I’m slowly building up my own collection. But often overlooked are some fantastic instructional books that should be in every cook’s collection. Tom Colicchio, celebrity chef and head of judge of Top Chef, didn’t go to culinary school  but worked his way through Jacques Pepin’s La Technique and La Methode books to train himself. Get Jacques’ updated version of instructions in Jacques Pépin’s Complete Techniques. Tom Colicchio then went on to write his own instructional book, Think Like a Chef which shows the reader various cooking techniques and opens up a world of possibilities. This book hasn’t left my coffee table in the past year. It is a must!

3) Recipe Box – Carry on family traditions and provide your new cook with a recipe box full of traditional family recipes. Not only will you inspire him or her to get in the kitchen, but family recipes are like precious heirlooms and must be passed down from generation to generation. Decorate a simple recipe box (can be found at craft stores) and wrap it up pretty – you now have an inexpensive but very thoughtful present.

4) Essential Gadgets – Put together a basket with simple, inexpensive tools that all cooks need – measuring cups and spoons, meat thermometer, spatulas, can opener, cast iron pan, potholders, colander, cookie cutters, silpat , etc. The possibilities are endless and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Everyone needs these items in the kitchen and getting them as a gift makes it easier and ten times more fun for a new cook.

5) Grocery Store Gift Cards – How is your young chef going to learn to cook masterpieces without the proper ingredients? Buy a gift certificate to their favorite grocery store so they may stock their pantry, stock their spice rack or have the freedom to try new and exotic ingredients! Better yet, buy a certificate to an upscale grocery store that may stock a lot of items your local grocery store does not carry – and let their imaginations run wild!

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