Cooks' Books from Creators Syndicate

Sumptuously Sightsee through the Pages of a Cookbook for 07/09/2009

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"The Big Sur Bakery Cookbook: A Year in the Life of a Restaurant" by Michelle Wojtowicz, Philip Wojtowicz and Mike Gilson (William Morrow, $40)

Some people only buy a cookbook from a locale after they have visited. It reminds them of the good times, great views and faraway food. The mark of an exceptional cookbook, though, is when it can serve as a tempter for yet unseen spots. ...

Updated: Thu Jul 09, 2009

This Taco Tutor Gets High Marks for 07/16/2009

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"Tacos: 75 Authentic and Inspired Recipes" by Mark Miller (Ten Speed, $21.95)

If there's anyone who should teach you to make tacos, it's Mark Miller. A taco tutor? But what could be easier than throwing some heated ground beef inside a crispy, store-bought shell? If that's your take, Miller's advice should really hit the target.

Miller, who is considered one of the creat ...

Updated: Thu Jul 16, 2009

Take a Tempting Tour of the Mediterranean for 07/23/2009

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"Mediterranean Grilling: More than 100 Recipes from Across the Mediterranean" by Diane Kochilas (William Morrow, $29.95)

There are plenty of cookbooks that teach you about grilling, but not many that also educate you about history, culture and geography. Diane Kochilas is a memorable tour guide in "Mediterranean Grilling: More than 100 Recipes from Across the Mediterranean ...

Updated: Thu Jul 23, 2009

'Gourmet' and 'Grill' Go Together for 07/30/2009

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"300 Big & Bold Barbecue & Grilling Recipes" by Karen Adler and Judith Fertig (Robert Rose, $24.95)

Big and bold barbecue recipes don't have to be long and labored. Karen Adler and Judith Fertig prove that on every page of "300 Big & Bold Barbecue & Grilling Recipes."

— Grilled Pears with Gorgonzola and Drizzled Honey is just that: Ripe pe ...

Updated: Thu Jul 30, 2009

Create Dreamy Dishes with Your Catch of the Day for 08/06/2009

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"The San Francisco Cliff House" by Mary Germain Hountalas with Sharon Silva (Ten Speed, $24.95)

Often after a meal, one dreams about the food. Although fans of the San Francisco Cliff House noted the highly memorable dining, a late-1800s patron might have been more likely to envision — following an evening of oysters on the half shell, clam chowder and frogs' legs — ...

Updated: Thu Aug 06, 2009

Tough Love Helps with Hard Food Choices for 08/13/2009

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"You Are What You Eat: The Plan that Will Change Your Life" by Dr. Gillian McKeith (Plume, $17)

You are what you eat and, if you don't eat well, you're a ***%%@@!!! Words like that usually don't get printed in a family newspaper, but they do fly quite frequently on BBC America's tart series "You Are What You Eat."

Like the more internationally famous chef Gordo ...

Updated: Thu Aug 13, 2009

The Name Deen is Synonymous with Dynamic Cooking for 08/20/2009

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"The Deen Bros. Take It Easy: Quick and Affordable Meals the Whole Family Will Love" by Jamie Deen, Bobby Deen and Melissa Clark (Ballantine, $25)

Jamie Deen and Bobby Deen's new cookbook is titled "The Deen Bros. Take It Easy." However, there were many years when the Georgia brothers were doing anything but that.

Early on, they sped around making deliveries fo ...

Updated: Thu Aug 20, 2009

Dumpling Dinner Party Can Go from Dream to Reality for 08/27/2009

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"Asian Dumplings: Mastering Gyoza, Spring Rolls, Samosas, and More" by Andrea Quynhgiao Nguyen (Ten Speed, $30).

How many times have you dumped the idea of preparing Asian dumplings? The chapter in Andrea Quynhgiao Nguyen's book on the Far East staples titled "Thin Skins" isn't meant to describe the home cooks reading it, but for many it undoubtedly was quite apt unti ...

Updated: Thu Aug 27, 2009

Tackling Trappings for Timesaving Pastas for 09/03/2009

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"Giuliano Hazan's Thirty Minute Pasta: 100 Quick and Easy Recipes" by Giuliano Hazan (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $27.50)

There's no trick, of course, to preparing a pot of pasta in 30 minutes. In fact, in less time than that, you can have perfect pasta ready for butter, sauce, freshly ground pepper and a bit of Parmigiano-Reggiano.

What's the fuss then over "Giuli ...

Updated: Thu Sep 03, 2009

Shortcut Cookies with No Shortage of Flavor for 09/10/2009

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book" by Camilla V. Saulsbury (Cumberland House, $24.99)

Camilla Saulsbury isn't known for taking shortcuts. Instead of turning a love of cooking as many do into a fun hobby, she studied for years to receive a doctorate in sociology from Indiana University with a specialization in food studies — after writing a dissertation that was a multifa ...

Updated: Thu Sep 10, 2009

Create Different Varieties of Japanese Hot Pots at Home for 09/17/2009

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"Japanese Hot Pots: Comforting One-Pot Meals" by Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat (Ten Speed, $25)

Sometimes, I find myself planning my route home from work so that I will make it before it's closing time at my favorite Japanese takeout spot. I like to stock up for the next day on huge steaming bowls of udon noodles, seafood, vegetables and seasoned broth that are some of the most ...

Updated: Thu Sep 17, 2009

A Food Lover's Memoir Features Seasonal Dishes for 09/24/2009

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"Cooking with the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta: Recipes from the World-Famous Spa" by Deborah Szekely and Deborah M. Schneider with Jesus Gonzalez (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $35)

If cooking with the season means to you thick pastry-topped, overfilled pot pies and wide slices of pumpkin pie crowned with large lumps of whipped cream, you probably haven't recently visited Rancho ...

Updated: Thu Sep 24, 2009

Scoring a Clear Victory for Vegan Cooking for 10/01/2009

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"The Conscious Cook: Delicious Meatless Recipes that Will Change the Way You Eat" by Tal Ronnen (William Morrow, $29.99)

What you'll probably be most conscious of as you prepare the 75 vegan recipes from "The Conscious Cook" is how delicious the food is. Sure, author/chef Tal Ronnen also believes you'll become more aware of your carbon footprint on our planet and othe ...

Updated: Thu Oct 01, 2009

American Heart Association Scores with Hearty Meals for 10/08/2009

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"American Heart Association Healthy Family Meals" (Clarkson Potter, $35)

Some cookbooks aimed at children try to disguise vegetables and fruits so the kids won't even know they are there. The new "American Heart Association Healthy Family Meals," however, does the seemingly impossible: Make fresh produce so tempting that not only do kids (and the rest of the tribe) go ...

Updated: Thu Oct 08, 2009

'Small Plates' Know No Borders for 10/15/2009

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"Antojitos: Festive and Flavorful Mexican Small Plates" by Barbara Sibley and Margaritte Malfy with Mary Goodbody (Ten Speed, $22.99)

Spanish tapas steal the spotlight. And well they should, since the worldwide popularity of "small plates" cuisine — eating layer upon layer of appetizers — originated there. As most who love the light and tasty concept know, ...

Updated: Thu Oct 15, 2009

Enjoy Delicious Bakery Bread at Home with Basic Recipes for 10/22/2009

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"Peter Reinhart's Artisan Breads Every Day: Fast and Easy Recipes for World-Class Breads" by Peter Reinhart (Ten Speed, $30)

Those who frequent boutique bakeries — as well as the artisan chains like Panera Bread that have sprung up like popovers nationwide — often wish they could walk away with more than just crusty souvenirs in their arms. "If only I could sna ...

Updated: Thu Oct 22, 2009

Chocolate for the Soul -- and the Skin for 10/29/2009

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

"Chocolate Bliss: Sensuous Recipes, Spa Treatments, and Other Divine Indulgences" by Susie Norris (Celestial Arts, $16.99)

Bliss might not only be biting into chocolate, but washing your face with it, too. So says chocolatier Susie Norris in her enticing expose of one of the world's most beloved ingredients.

In "Chocolate Bliss: Sensuous Recipes, Spa Treatments, and ...

Updated: Thu Oct 29, 2009

High Pressure Refers Only to the Cooking Method -- Not to You for 11/05/2009

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

"Cooking Under Pressure" by Lorna Sass (William Morrow, $23.99)

It's a good bet that you won't be filling your pressure cooker with batches of autumn leaves for quick tenderizing. However, fall is the perfect season to remove some of the pressure from your life with what "Cooking Under Pressure" author Lorna Sass refers to as a "magical appliance."

In ...

Updated: Thu Nov 05, 2009

Keep the Cakes Coming with Chattman's Easy Recipes for 11/12/2009

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

"Cake Keeper Cakes" by Lauren Chattman (Taunton Press, $17.95)

Lauren Chattman always considered her cakes keepers. After all, as a restaurant pastry chef and author of 10 cookbooks, including "Dessert University," she was an expert at creating sophisticated stunners.

However, it wasn't until last Mother's Day that Chattman had a revelation about cakes really w ...

Updated: Thu Nov 12, 2009

Who Needs to Learn the Language of Love, When You can Master the Language of Food? for 11/19/2009

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

"Eat, Drink, Think in Spanish: An English-Spanish/Spanish-English Kitchen Companion" by Lourdes Castro (Ten Speed, $18.99)

Which phrase would you rather learn in Spanish?

"Excuse me, sir, could you direct me to the nearest post office?"

"Excuse me, sir, could you direct me to the nearest doughnut?"

Lourdes Castro is here to tutor your sw ...

Updated: Thu Nov 19, 2009