The Foodie // Books for Every Lady on Your List // Holiday Gift Guide // 2014

The Foodie

This is the woman who is always in her kitchen. If she isn't baking, she's probably cooking. And if she isn't cooking she's probably baking. If her fridge is stocked then she's probably cooking or baking for someone else. This is also the girl who is always trying new restaurants. You might think she's an over-achiever for making her own vanilla, canning her own pie filling, garnishing her dinner plates, and spinning her own cotton candy... but this is what she lives for. Her sink is always full of dishes, and there is usually a delicious smell coming from the oven. Her Instagram is almost completely filled with pictures of food, food she's made, her dinner at a restaurant, a beautiful cup of coffee... you get the idea!

About the Books: Left to Right, Top to Bottom.

1) The Little Paris Kitchen: 120 Simple But Classic French Recipes

Written by Rachel Khoo a culinary jack-of-all-trades who moved to Paris to study the art of making pastry. (what a dream right?!) After school she stayed in France becoming a TV star, author, and restaurateur. This book is a collection of classic french recipes. It contains everything from decadent desserts to summer picnic fare. I don't own this yet, but I think it would be a nice addition to my collection of cookbooks! Another by Khoo, My Little French Kitchen: More than 100 Recipes from the Mountains, Market Squares, and Shores of France. - Ooh La La! 

2) Laduree Macarons

For the woman who is adventurous and up to a challenge in the kitchen... the Laduree Macaron book! These almond cookies are both beautiful and popular. The famous bakery in Paris brings you a collection of macaron recipes both sweet and savory. While these cookies are time consuming and challenging to make, the reward is worth the effort. (this book is a little pricey but there are many macaron cookbooks that would be a great resource for your foodie friend!)

3) The Flavor Thesaurus: A Compendium of Pairings, Recipes and Ideas for the Creative Cook

I cannot give you the name of a book that I would like more to add to my cookbook collection! This is an excellent resource guide for both beginner and seasoned cooks. The idea is simple: it is a guide to pairing flavors in cooking. From more intuitive combinations to exotic and outrageous ones this book has what you need to get creative in the kitchen. This book also includes recipes. I'm not surprised to see that it has a 4.4 rating on Amazon!

4) Saving the Season: A Cook's Guide to Home Canning, Pickling, and Preserving

This is great for the green queen / foodie combo.... She gardens, shops the farmer's market, and wishes she could do so year-round. Canning and preserving is a little bit of a 'lost art,' but it can be really enjoyable, and save you money. This canning guide explains the basics as well as showcases preserving recipes and traditions from around the US. It is one of my goals to learn how to can and preserve in the near future.

5) Cooking with Flowers: Sweet and Savory Recipes with Rose Petals, Lilacs, Lavender, and Other Edible Flowers 

This book is a treat for the senses for any creative foodie. It contains over 100 recipes that utilize edible flowers. Not only do the recipes sound scrumptious, (daylily cheesecake! rosemary flower margaritas!), they are equally beautiful. This book is sure to excite gardeners, entertainers, and creative foodies alike. I think it's fair to say that this, and really all of these cookbooks are on my own personal wishlist! Also great for the Hostess!

6) Keep it Vegan: 100 Simple, Healthy & Delicious Dishes

This book is relatively new, but quickly climbing in popularity among vegan cookbooks. The author Áine Carlin is a blogger who approaches vegan cooking in an attainable, yet creative way. This book won't leave you combing specialty markets for obscure ingredients or have you feeling like you are eating cardboard. This collection of 100 recipes includes cocoa and almond butter overnight oats, Hole Mole Black Bean Chili, Thick Crust Mushroom Pizza, No-bake Strawberry Cheesecake & Rosemary and Pear Stuffed French Toast. (YUM!) Not to mention, Carlin is the cutest blogger with such a sweet and relateable writing style, and GORGEOUS photos (link here). Fun fact: Áine Carlin's sister is the lovely Mairead Carlin, the newest member of Celtic Woman. :) 

7) The Forest Feast: Simple Vegetarian Recipes from My Cabin in the Woods

This sweet cookbook is a testament to the author, Erin Gleeson's love of nature. She moved from the city to the forest to pursue a new lifestyle. The recipes in this book are based around seasonal and wholesome ingredients, many of which are very simple! Along with the recipe you get Gleeson's signature illustrations, beautiful water color designs! This book is a lovely addition to any foodie's collection!

8) The Truck Food Cookbook: 150 Recipes and Ramblings from America's Best Restaurants on Wheels

A book that I have just added to my shelves, is a brilliant collection of recipes from food trucks around the US. From Korean to desserts, tacos to Caribbean food... this book has it all! From coast to coast and everywhere in between, this book is an essential compilation of some of the best food found in America, and the people who create it. Great for the Foodie / Wanderluster combo!

9) The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook: A Treasury of Timeless, Delicious Recipes

The cast iron cooking bible. Filled with 200 staple recipes to be cooked, fried, grilled, and even enjoyed outdoors. The hearty recipes in this book are perfect for the homestyle cook and people who love to spend time outdoors! You can make just about anything in a cast-iron skillet... which makes it an essential for any cook!

10) The New Midwestern Table: 200 Heartland Recipes

I picked up this beautiful book in Minneapolis and instantly fell in love with it. It is a priceless treasury of Midwestern family recipes, that were learned, taught, and treasured by home cooks just like you, your mom, and your grandmother. The photographs are beautiful, the recipes are abundant, and the reviewers love it. I can tell that this book is full of heart, and I can't wait to add it to my collection too!

11) Relish: An Adventure in Food, Style, and Everyday Fun

You might remember my review of this book... you might not... but I love everything about Daphne Oz's love letter to life. The recipes are inventive, exotic, and fun - but also extremely approachable! In addition to the many recipes shared here, there is a wealth of advice and knowledge shared about entertaining, traveling, fashion, decor.... you name it. Oz feels like an old friend when you read this, and I benefited greatly from her wisdom, and have loved EVERY recipe that I have tried so far! Also great for the Hostess!

I hope that this list has given you some book ideas for your foodie friend!

Interested in more?  Check out this post to view my book recommendations for other 'types'.

Happy Gifting!

Alexandra