Jillicious Side Dish: Cookbooks

I love to look at cookbooks.  I don't really like to cook, but I do love to eat and enjoy pouring over the photographs and creative culinary ideas in cookbooks.  A friend with the same feelings once told me that we are "intellectual cooks." :)  I liked the euphemistic term and immediately claimed it.

Luckily my husband likes to do more than just look at recipes, and he is a tremendous cook.  He is also more adventurous than I am.  I basically have the taste buds of a 6-yr-old (my favorite foods are pizza and mac & cheese!), but he has broadened my horizons and my palate.  It is a treat to come home to his delicious dinners after a long day at the library.  And, I am more than happy to do all the clean up!

Here is one of our cookbook shelves with some of my favorites: 

 

I love Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa.  I also wouldn't mind living  in her beautiful house in the Hamptons!  Barefoot Contessa recipes are elegant but not too complicated.  Her turkey sausage lasagna is my favorite lasagna in the world.  Her ultimate brownies are purely sinful, and her coconut cupcakes are divine. 

 

Rebecca Rather used to own the Rather Sweet Bakery in Fredericksburg (one of my favorite Texas towns).  Her cookbooks are full of delicious savory dishes as well as delectable sweets.  Her tuxedo cake takes some time to make, but it's well-worth the effort; the cake is pure bliss.  I hope opening a new eatery in the Hill Country is in Ms. Rather's 2014 plans!

Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, creates recipes that are homey, simple, and flavorful.  I like the way she shows things step-by-step in photos. This fall I picked up her new book The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays.  My husband tried several of her recipes for Thanksgiving, and they were all delicious.  I particularly liked the cornbread sausage dressing.


Now, for some new cookbooks I'd like to add to our collection:

Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese 
by Stephanie Stiavetti & Garrett McCord
I mentioned that mac & cheese is one of my favorites foods.  I probably shouldn't admit this, but I even love it out of the blue Kraft box!  So, this looks like a must for our shelf.  

The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook
by Deb Perelman
Deb Perelman is a food blogger at smittenkitchen.com.  She tackles a variety of food challenges in her tiny little NYC kitchen always looking for the best (and simplest) ways to create the best food.  She is a skilled photographer, and her posts are full of lovely, helpful photos. Many have been eagerly anticipating her first cookbook.

Jerusalem
by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi 
I have heard and read a lot about this cookbook.  It would likely be stretch for my babyish taste buds, but I think my husband would love this one.  I'll bet he would introduce me to some excellent food I never would have tried on my own. 

Because of our love of food, this is the cookbook we'll be using for the next 21 days!  I hope I can lose some lbs and keep things in better moderation in 2014.

Any favorite cookbooks of your own?

Jillicious Gift Ideas!

Need a few ideas for your last minute shopping?  Read on!

Everything I Need to Know I learned in a Little Golden Book   
by Diane Muldrow

I LOVED the Little Golden Books.  I read and treasured so many, favorites being The Poky Little Puppy and The Saggy Baggy Elephant.  This new book celebrating this special collection was created by Diane Muldrow.  Longtime editor of the beloved Little Golden Books, Muldrow realized that these books offer excellent advice for almost every real-life situation.  She combined these lessons and original illustrations into this special little guide to life manual.   Give Everything I Need to Know I Learned in a Little Golden Book  to those who grew up reading the Little Goldens, to  lovers of children's literature, or to anyone who needs to be reminded what is important in life.

Book Lust To Go
by Nancy Pearl

A friend gave this at a recent book exchange, and I thought it was such an excellent idea for a book!  Librarian/author Nancy Pearl has created a guide of recommended reading for travelers.  Book Lust To Go includes fiction and nonfiction books to read before traveling to a new locale.  From San Francisco to Sri Lanka, travelers will find recommendations for over 120 travel sites.  A must for the traveler (or armchair traveler!) on your list!

  
Tequila Mockingbird  
by Tim Federle

Having recently finished Federle's first middle grade novel, I came across this fabulous little book he also published this year.  The cocktail guide contains 65 recipes that pay homage to literary favorites including Brave New Swirled, Gin Eyre, Romeo and Julep, Huckleberry Sin, and Are You There God? It's Me, Margarita.  Tequila Mockingbird is a fun gift for the readers, book club members, or cocktail enthusiasts on your holiday gift list. 

Anna Karenina: A Fashion Primer
by Jennifer Adams 

This darling board book is perfect for every little (or not-so-little!) fashionista on your list.  A dear friend gave it to me, and I am head over heels.  Author Jennifer Adams has created several other board books for the young reader inspired by classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights. I think I've got a new collection to work on!

Poems to Learn by Heart
by Caroline Kennedy, illustrated by Jon Muth

This collection of poems has a verse for every occasion.  Some silly, some serious, some familiar, some new, but all worth reading, reciting, and remembering.  I love this illustrated collection; it reminds the reader of the beauty of verse and the power of learning something by heart. Give this to wordsmiths young and old. 

Snowflakes Fall
by Patricia Maclachlan, illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Patricia Maclachlan and Steven Kellogg collaborated to create this heartfelt tribute to the lives lost in the Sandy Hook, Connecticut tragedy.  In this special book former Sandy Hook resident Kellogg and the Newbery Medalist Maclachlan celebrate individual uniqueness, the gift of life, and the hope that is found in renewal.  Give this to one who has experienced loss this year or to anyone as a reminder to treasure each day. 

 

Battle Bunny
by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett, illustrated by Matthew Myers

Now to end on a light note ... and to bring things full circle.  Hilarious authors Scieszka and Barnett along with illustrator Myers have created a truly original picture book.  It begins as a gentle, Little-Golden-Book-like story about a bunny's surprise birthday party.  Then, Alex, who receives the book from his Gammy, takes a pencil to the sweet Birthday Bunny and turns it into Battle Bunny, a devil-may-care rabbit intent to take over the world.  It is a riot!  Give this to young readers with a sense of humor.  After reading, these young creators can go to the Birthday Bunny site to download a clean copy of Birthday Bunny and then recreate the story in their own way.   


Good luck finishing up the last minute shopping.  Best wishes for a happy, book-filled holiday!  :)

Jillicious Side Dish: Favorite Things

A few recent finds for bibliophiles ...




 
Tommy Hilfiger Book Dress

A friend alerted me to this darling shirt dress covered in books.  A must for a librarian or bibliophile, right? 




Kate Spade's Required Reading Collection

 

I love Kate Spade.  And, when she introduced the Required Reading Collection, I knew we were soul mates for life.  These are pricey, but definitely worth saving for! 

Bon Shopper
Index Shopper


Longchamp's Shopping Tote

I am addicted to these totes by Longchamp.  They are perfect for the bibliophile as they are roomy enough to accommodate purse essentials PLUS the necessary book (or two!) AND an iPad and/or Kindle. I've tried purchasing other purses, but quickly return to this tote for its roominess.     

Jillicious Side Dish: Favorite Things!

  

I thought I would start a new feature showcasing some of my favorite things that celebrate the literary life.  Here are some recent favs:

 
Favorite Books Bracelet

Little Literature on Etsy sells favorite series bracelets or necklaces; or you can design your own!  I chose 5 of my favorite books for my custom bracelet.  A great homage to your favorite reads as well as an interesting conversation piece. 


Book Earrings 

Overdue Industries on Etsy sells jewelry made from vintage book covers.  This is a fun gift for your book club or for yourself!  :)   


 Out of Print Tees

I love Out of Print Tees featuring favorite book covers.  I could seriously order 20!  Captain Wonderful just surprised me with this darling Little Women tee made from a vintage cover.  Now, just 19 to go .... :)  


Out of Print Pouches

And if the tees weren't enough, Out of Print offers all kinds of accessories including these darling pouches!  I love the library card and the Poe-ka dot.  :)  A great catch-all for anything!


The Strand Totes

The amazing NYC bookstore, The Strand, sells the handiest little totes.  I bought this Kate Spade version on a trip to New York, and I use it all. the. time.  It's the perfect size for class or conference! (Side note: If you love The Strand, you definitely need to read Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan!)  


Stay tuned for more fun finds!