I have a serious girl crush on Nigella Lawson. I adore the tone of her cookbooks and the devil-may-care manner in which she prepares food on her numerous gorgeously styled television programs. Nigella’s cookbooks always present entertaining in such an approachable and anxiety-free way that I’m repeatedly convinced I can host a fabulous dinner party without having a meltdown. I’ve yet to accomplish this feat though. I always have at least one hissy fit at some point before a big party, but a girl can still hope, right?
Nigella Christmas, Lawson’s latest gorgeous volume of recipes, was recently released and I simply can’t put it down. I’ve flipped through the festive pages numerous times over the past weeks and changed my mind about which dishes I hope to prepare for our Christmas dinner on countless occasions. Presently I have my eye on a Tiramisu Layer Cake, a sticky looking Gingerbread, and a decadent Clementine based chutney. Obviously I need to find some sort of protein and vegetables to serve between this array of sweets but I’m certain Nigella has my back.
Almost every recipe I made for my first Christmas dinner last year came from Diana Morgan’s must-have cookbook The Christmas Table. If you’re at all nervous about playing hostess for this month’s festivities then I absolutely recommend picking up this title. Morgan covers everything from the traditional holiday turkey to a sublime show-stopping crown roast. But that’s only the beginning; from appetizers to cocktails, dessert to leftovers and even edible gifts this book offers step-by-step instruction on everything you’ll need to know to entertain in fabulous style.
The pièce de résistance of my feast last year was a decadent Eggnog Cheesecake. This year I’m hoping to tackle the Yorkshire Pudding with Chives and perhaps the Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Créme Anglaise. Then we’ll possibly wash it all down with a Blood Orange Mimosa (or three). Now if that line-up doesn’t scream “jolly and bright” I don’t know what does.
Thanksgiving is such a special holiday but the pressure to prepare a spectacular meal for your closest friends and family can quickly become an overwhelming chore of epic proportions. Thankfully, this year author Diane Morgan has provided ambitious home cooks everywhere with a beautiful cookbook full of recipes that will satisfy all of your guests expectations.
Covering everything from appetizers to leftovers, The New Thanksgiving Table touches upon a variety of regional dish traditions from coast to coast (including many vegetarian options) while providing detailed menus and instruction, all while encouraging you not to be afraid to make things ahead. In my experience this seems to be the saving grace for any high pressure get together.
How does Silky Parsnip-Potato Soup, a piping hot Hazelnut and Fresh Herb Popover, and Cape Cod Cranberry Compote sound? My mouth simply waters at the thought of so many decadent dishes! So whether you’re an experienced hostess looking for a few new editions to add to your already stunning repertoire, or a nervous newlywed hosting the in-laws for the first time, I’m confident that you’ll find just what you’re looking for in this highly accessible new title from Chronicle Books.
The Field Guide to Candy conceived by blogger Anita Chu of Dessert First is a tiny cookbook that just brims with fascinating facts, tips, and recipes. I personally would never have dreamed to attempt making my own Gummy Bears, Maple Sugar Candy, or Rock Candy at home. These are all treats that I’ve ordinarily purchased in a store, but with Anita’s straightforward and easy to follow instructions I’m confident that I’m now in possession of the knowledge to become a one woman candy making machine.
From the publisher: Field Guide to Candy includes traditional favorites and exotic treats from all over the world, everything from peanut butter cups and salt-water taffy to Pastelia (Greek honey candy) and Turkish Delight. Each candy is photographed in glorious full color, with step-by-step instructions on how to prepare, make, serve, and store your creations. Yummy homemade confections are just minutes away with Field Guide to Candy in your pantry!
If you enjoy off-beat comedy then Heather Whaley’s Eat Your Feelings: Recipes for Self-Loathing is definitely the cookbook for you. It will probably have a triggering effect though so be forewarned: you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll want to make a pie and eat the whole thing while watching reruns of The Ghost Whisperer. It’s ok though. I’m sure you have your therapist on speed dial. She’s looking forward to your call.
From the publisher: In this hilarious tongue-in-cheek collection, actress and playwright Heather Whaley reminds us that unlike fair weather friends and reliable sources of income, food will always be there for you – and for each of life’s pitfalls she has provided the perfect recipe to cheer you up. Whether you’ve just been dumped, fired, found naked pictures of yourself online, or are forty-five and living with your parents, Eat Your Feelings will help fill any void.
With a dark comedic edge, this book collects the comfort foods necessary for any emotional roller coaster: Sky-High Banana Cream Pie Because You’re Dating a Married Guy, Lonely Christmas Pudding, Little Sister Earns More Than You Ham-and-Cheese Toastie, and many more. Illustrated with photos that add the perfect punch, this collection confounds life’s little dramas with wit and brevity.
The colorful kitchen-themed window display at 
