Even the most scurrilous Scrooge on my gift-giving list seems to appreciate the appeal of cookbook gifts. “BAKE! Essential Techniques for Perfect Baking” by Nick Malgieri (Kyle Books, $29.95), 224 pages “This book is meant to have enough easy, straightforward baking recipes that people who haven’t baked before can use successfully,” says author Nick Malgieri, who heads up the baking…
Cathy Thomas Cooks
Cathy Thomas
Chef Ming Tsai’s latest book is filled with quick and easy weeknight dishes that can be prepared in one pan. Most recipes are short enough to fit on one page and use relatively inexpensive ingredients. They produce delectable concoctions, often showcasing classic Asian fare tweaked with subtle trademark twists. He says that he sometimes “francophiles” a dish, using a smattering…
Ina Garten’s new book sold out before her signing began. Williams-Sonoma left nothing to chance, organizing myriad fans into tidy lines that snaked out of South Coast Plaza‘s interior onto the sidewalk. The much loved host of the Food Network’s “Barefoot Contessa” thinks the easiest parties are the most fun – not just for the host but for everyone. She…
We know seafood is delectable and can play a big part in a healthful diet, but issues concerning non-sustainability are daunting. Sustainability means this resource is either fished or farmed from sources that keep or increase production for the future, without jeopardizing their ecosystems. Modern fishing techniques allow mankind to fish farther and deeper, with greater efficiency. According to the…
Beer with a burger, or a brewski with bratwurst. These are pairings that come to mind when thinking about classic dishes to pair with beer. But what about desserts? Do you want a beer that complements or contrasts a sugar-spiked treat? With so many layers of flavor in beer – the potential bitterness and richness, sweetness and strength – finding…
My husband disagreed. I needed a new car and he didn’t like my choice. I’d driven a fancy-schmancy two-seat sports car for 13 years. But with the birth of a grandchild, it was time for something more practical. A car with a back seat, four doors and fuel efficiency. I wanted a Toyota Prius Hybrid. My husband, Phil, hated the…
Azmin Ghahreman’s dishes are a delectable marriage of aroma, flavor and texture. Often his unique spice blends play an irresistible role, adding a just-right amount of taste-bud bling. He was born in Iran and raised in Switzerland. His Harira, a Middle Eastern soup with garbanzo beans, lamb and angel-hair pasta, reflects some of the alluring spices savored in his youth….
It was as if President Obama was coming to my house for dinner. That’s how excited I was. (Yes, this was written during a different administration.) Thomas Keller, widely regarded as the top chef in America, was due at my Huntington Beach home to tape a cooking video with me. The chef-proprietor of The French Laundry (Yountville) and Per Se…