any good books?

[shook7]

what are some good books about food that aren't on recipes or techniques. i recently read daniel bouluds "letters to a young chef." is there anything else like that out there? thanks

[phatch]

On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee

[shroomgirl]

Heat
Reach of a Chef
Like Water for Chocolate
Aphrodite
Napa
Becoming a Chef
Careme, chef to kings

[Pete]

There's always Kitchen Confidential.

[sawse]

The chemistry of cooking

Kitchen science explains why bread rises, egg whites whip and slushies don’t freeze hard

[Kiwicook]

CookWise by Shirley O Corriher. Teaches a lot about the science behind cooking, Excellent book.

[Harpua]

Debt to Pleasure - You could say it's about food, but it's about a lot in between. The author proposes menus and then kind of dances around the recipes and talks about different points of interest and his life (fiction I believe).

Anyway, it's not the usual style of writing I'm used to. His sentences carry on and he uses a lot of parentheses. The thing is, he rewards you for reading his long winded stuff by throwing something out that gives you a hefty chuckle.

Normally, with something this hard to read, I would have thrown it on the ground within the first chapter, however, I can't really put it down. It's a good find.

Julie and Julia - a woman decides to make ALL of the recipes in Julia Child's cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking and it's quite funny.

[Chef at Heart]

Thanks! I just picked up "Julie and Julia" on Ebay for less than $5, shipped. I'm looking forward to a fun read.

[Clove]

Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. This really makes you examine your food choices and is incredibly thought provoking.

[Curdled & Broke]

Bull Cook And Authentic Historical Recipes and Practises by George and Berthe Herter


Insane genius, read the reviews on Amazon and find this ignored classic of American cookery. it's all here; surviving atomic bombs,cooking squirel, Jesus' recipe for spinach, and tucked in the middle, blanched corn dressed with walnut oil ! I was not familiar with that combination of flavors, and it rocks.

Easily the most individualistic cookbook i have ever read.

[shakeandbake]

My Last Supper looks like a fun read. I've flipped through it at the book store and caught an interview with the author, Melanie Dunea on KCRW's GOOD FOOD. You can download the pod cast here

[shipscook]

I loved Omnivore's Dilemma. Also really enjoyed The United States of Arugula. Got some bad reviews about vague references and TMI about Beard and Claiborne. But I thought a good read for the timeline of what we eat.
A wonderful story of growing up and eating in South Africa-the Saffrom Pear Tree, beautiful story of family and food.
Right now I am reading Return to Paris-- Colette Rossant-lovely so far.
In the staging area here and food related are--Backstage with Julia, which got great reviews here. And, Mediterrean Summer, written by a chef who leaves the restaurants for a yacht job in Italy.
All on Amazon.

Happy Holidays,
Nan

[Kiwicook]

Originally Posted by shipscook

Right now I am reading Return to Paris-- Colette Rossant-lovely so far.

Me, too. I found it by chance at the secondhand bookshop at my local market last week. Quite delightful.

[KyleW]

I just bought Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food, the follow up.

[Kiwicook]

I've just received a review copy of 1001 Foods You Must Eat Before You Die. I will have to tick off the ones I've already tried and see if I have enough time left to take up the challenge :-) It's being published here in Australia in March.