Cookbooks and Cookies


There are many people who enjoy a good book. Myself included, although I do admit my books of choice are cookbooks. There is nothing like cracking open the spine of a new cookbook for me to look through and absorb the pages of glorious food photography and mouth watering recipes that I will surely attempt, at a later date of course. All the while leafing through these delicious pages I like to snack as I’m sure many do and sip a hot coffee or tea. So I was inspired to make some cookies to enjoy while I was perusing this batch of new cookbooks that are out in stores now. They also gave me many ideas for the upcoming entertaining holiday season but also some great gift ideas for friends who are interested in food. With a great focus on learning and enjoying the good life of food and what’s in it, I think that this collection of cookbooks might just have a place for you or someone you may be buying for this holiday season. So be sure to whip up a batch of cookies for you and then pack some up to give along with the cook book to round out the gift.

Choco-berry Orange Spice Cookies
Grab a cookie with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea and sit back to enjoy one of a plethora of new cookbooks out this fall. With any good book, a tasty snack is in order and these slightly spicy dried fruit, nut and chocolate filled cookies fit the bill.

1 cup (250 mL) butter, softened
¾ cup (175 mL) packed golden yellow sugar
¾ cup (175 mL) granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp (10 mL) pure vanilla extract
½ tsp (2 mL) grated orange rind
2 ¼ cups (550 mL) all purpose flour
1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
½ tsp (2 mL) baking soda
½ tsp (2 mL) ground cardamom or cinnamon
Pinch salt
½ cup (125 mL) each mini chocolate chips and chopped pecans
½ cup (125 mL) each chocolate covered raisins and dried cranberries

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer beat butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in egg until combined. Beat in vanilla and orange rind.

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and soda, cardamom and salt. Add to butter mixture and stir until flour is absorbed into mixture. Stir in chocolate chips, pecans, chocolate covered raisins and cranberries.

Using heaping tablespoonfuls (15 mL) of dough roll into balls and place on parchment paper lined baking sheets, about 12 per sheet. Bake in center of 350 F (180 C) oven for about 16 minutes or until light golden on top. Let cool on baking sheet until set and remove to cooling rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining cookie dough.

Makes about 32 cookies.

Complete Book of Knife Skills the Essential Guide to Use, Techniques & Care by Jeffrey Elliot & James P. DeWan
Knives are important for success in the kitchen, knife skills make cooking much more enjoyable and desirable. This book has over 1200 photos that describe knives, cutting and holding techniques and it also works through cutting different vegetables and meat with step by step photos that will take you through the cutting, chopping, deboning and dicing processes.

3 Chefs The Kitchen Men Michael Bonacini, Massimo Capra, Jason Parsons
Here’s a book of food with 3 great guys who area also great chefs. Michael, Massimo and Jason bring their love of food and experience in the kitchens to the pages of this cookbook. With mouth watering photography and delectable recipes to enjoy at your next special gathering like Oxtail and Onion Soup with Stilton or Scallop, Goat Cheese and Cherry Tomato Tart and Veal Brisket with Roasted Baby Vegetables.

Slow Cooker Winners 300 easy and satisfying recipes Donna-Marie Pye
Waterloo local home economist Donna-Marie Pye has brought to life another 300 slow cooker recipes for home cooks who enjoy using their slow cookers. Whether you have a small or large household, slow cookers are a huge help for families. From appetizers to desserts this book will be a go to favourite with dishes like Jamaican Chicken Casserole, Sausage Lasagna and Snickerdoodle Cheesecake.

The Ocean Wise Cookbook seafood recipes that are good for the planet Edited by Jane Mundy
Love seafood? So do many Canadian chefs and restaurants. So Ocean Wise along with these chefs and restaurants have brought these delicious recipes to life. Not only are these recipes perfect for the fish lover, it includes a guide for sustainable and freshwater fish. So you can take a more responsible approach to cooking fish in your own kitchen.

The Food Substitutions Bible more than 6500 substitutions for Ingredients, Equipment and Techniques David Joachim
Do you want to substitute dried cherries for raisins in a recipe or vice versa? Here’s the book for you-with more than 6500 substitutions you are sure to find what you need for your kitchen and recipes. With an easy chart format throughout the book, this bible is easy to use and fun to read. See what many ingredients are in their descriptions and what you can use as substitutes for them.

The Complete Root Cellar Book Building Plans, Uses and 100 Recipes Steve Maxwell and Jennifer MacKenzie
I love my cellar; it’s filled with tasty morsels from the harvest season. Most houses have one but might not be sure how to use it to their advantage. With this book you can build your root cellar and create the ideal area for storage. The recipes included in this book will allow you to create delicious soups, mains, desserts and condiments that will make good use of those hearty vegetables.

In a Pinch effortless cooking for today’s gourmet Caren McSherry
If you like using convenience items like jarred tapenade, sundried tomato paste or phyllo dough to create recipes with flair this is the book you may want to pick up. Easy, effortless recipes are promised in this easy reading cookbook. With tasty photography that bounces with colour and the pages of quick and easy suggestions and must have ingredients in the book, entertaining will become easy and tasty to enjoy with family and friends.

Comments

  1. Your recipe sounds incredible...

    I like the reviews too, Emily! :)

    ReplyDelete

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