honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, November 19, 2003

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Specialized cookbooks can make great gifts

By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor

You can choose from a variety of highly specialized cookbooks for holiday gift-giving.

Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

In my continuing series on gift cookbooks for the holidays, here's a brief look at a group of highly specialized books. These won't appeal to everyone, but if you happen to have a friend that's crazy about a particular food or flavor or technique, one of these might be just the right thing.

"Caramel: Recipes for Deliciously Gooey Desserts," by Peggy Cullen; Chronicle Books, paper, $19.95. Caramel is the flavor of the moment among pastry chefs and candymakers. This book covers the subject like topping on ice cream.

"Smoked Salmon: Delicious Innovative Recipes," by Max Hansen and Suzanne Goldenson; Chronicle Books, paper, $18.95. Who knew there could be so many ways to use smoked salmon? This book includes recipes for smoking salmon, all basics on handling this luxurious food.

"Tamales 101: A Beginner's Guide to Making Traditional Tamales," by Alice Guadalupe Tapp; Ten Speed Press, paper, $19.95. Tamales are the make-or-break test of a great Mexican cook and this is the time of year when mamas and grandmas make the stuffed corn husks for family celebrations. This book walks you through every aspect of tamale-making and offers more tamale recipes than you could try in a year.

"Nueva Salsa: Recipes to Spice It Up," by Rafael Palomino and Arlen Gargagliano; Chronicle Books, hardback, $16.95. Salsas are not just a Latin idea anymore; these fresh, chopped relishes are used as dips, sauces, garnishes. This small handbook outlines salsa technique from fruit to dessert.

"Midnight Munchies: More Than 60 Quick-Fix Snacks," by Diane Morgan; Chronicle, paper, $16.95. This one would make a good gift for a college student; it's aimed right at that audience and includes lots of quick-prep techniques.

"Tailgates to Touchdowns," by Nina Swan-Kohler; Willing Vessel Books, paper, $18.95. Dedicated tailgaters or game partyers never have enough ideas. Recipes range from appetizers to fourth-quarter snacks. If you can't find it, go to www.tailgatestotouchdowns.com.

"Tarts with Tops On or How to Make the Perfect Pie," by Tamasin Day-Lewis; Miramax Books, hardback, $24.95. This book by a British food writer and TV personality has been getting great press. It ranges the pie landscape from English-style savory pies to sweet American pies. For the committed from-scratch baker.

"Bittersweet: Recipes and Tales From a Life in Chocolate" by Alice Medrich; Artisan, hardback, $35. Alice Medrich is the author of the classic "Cocolat," owner of the specialty chocolate company by the same name and the woman the San Francisco Chronicle calls "the queen of indulgent desserts." This book is part memoir, part textbook, part recipe collection. Medrich reveals her secrets on the art of working with chocolate in every form, from confections such as truffles to cakes and even some savory chocolate dishes. A serious text for the serious student.