Cookbooks

The Mystery Lovers Holiday suggestions are not the books you will find in the big box stores. Instead, we glean the best and brightest of the year’s offerings to delight the food and book lover in all of us or on our lists. Unique gifts just for you.

Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld

Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious takes on the problem that every family faces: putting healthy meals on the table that your kids will actually eat and provides a wealth of answers in recipes that are quick and easy to make but provide plenty of veggies and other nutritious ingredients. From pureed cauliflower in the mac and cheese to shopping tips for the supermarket this book will change your thinking about cooking for your family. $24.95

The Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso

A beloved classic is completely refreshed for the 25th anniversary edition of The Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso. 350 delicious dishes and full color illustrations combine with cooking tips, info about ingredients, menus and more to make you fall in love with cooking all over again. $19.95

Mediterranean Summer by David Shalleck

Young chef David Shalleck takes us on an enticing culinary adventure in Mediterranean Summer: A Season on France's Cote D'Azur and Italy's Costa Bella as he prepares meals aboard a sailing yacht during a summer of self-discovery.  Challenged by the yacht’s owners to provide memorable meals made with fresh, local ingredients, with no repetition, Shalleck visits the local markets each day, purchasing the freshest produce and choicest ingredients. And he succeeds in turning out fabulous meals for both the crew and owners within the constraints of a small galley.  A great read for foodies, travel enthusiasts and sailors. $23.95 [MBN]

Vegetable Dishes I Can't Live Without by Molly Katzen

On the 30th anniversary of her classic Moosewood Cookbook, Molly Katzen celebrates her favorite food group with Vegetable Dishes I Can’t Live Without. She gives us nearly 100 vegetable side dishes--some of which could easily be main courses, complete with her own hand-drawn illustrations. $22.95

Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O'Connor

Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O'Connor features enough recipes to satisfy the most serious of sweet tooths from Giant Coconut Cream puffs to Heart of Darkness Brownies, this one is a wish list of 75 desserts to die for. $22.95

The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

Anyone with an interest in food will find Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma fascinating, eye-opening, and perhaps disturbing. Using four meals as a structure ranging from McDonald’s to a farm fresh dinner Pollan traces the food back to its origins and examines exactly how and why Americans eat what they do. He looks at the historical roots of various foods and the implications of our diet on our lives. Always interesting, frequently funny, Pollan has produced a unique book. $16

Roast Chicken and Other Stories by Simon Hopkinson

In the delightful Roast Chicken and Other Stories, acclaimed chef and author Simon Hopkinson takes an alphabetically arranged stroll through 40 of his favorite ingredients, introducing each with a charming essay and offering a handful of perfect ways to use them. $24.95

Vegetarian Suppers from Deborah Madison's Kitchen

Vegetarian Suppers from Deborah Madison’s Kitchen will give you tons of ideas for healthy, delicious meals with over 100 recipes from Risotto Croquettes and Gnocchi with Winter Squash to Spicy Tofu with Thai Basil. $19.95

Barefoot Contessa at Home by Ina Garten

A must have from the Food Network diva Ina Garten is The Barefoot Contessa at Home: Recipes You’ll Make Over and Over Again. This is the book that’ll go to the top of the pile for the experienced cook looking for comfort and joy in cooking or the newbie cook looking for the reliable as well as the warm and wonderful. I can vouch for the blueberry Peach Crumble and the Roasted Pork with Fennel Stuffing---you will always go back again. Generous and gorgeous photos enhance the full on foodie experience. $35

Frantic Woman's Guide to Feeding Family & Friends by Mary Jo Rulnick

Pittsburgh’s own Mary Jo Rulnick, who gave us The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Life moves on to kitchen in the Frantic Woman’s Guide to Feeding Family and Friends. Much more than a cookbook this is a guide to organizing your kitchen, food shopping and meal planning to make better, healthier meals with less effort. Structured around 14-day meal plans with complete shopping lists this book will revolutionize the way you cook both everyday as well as holiday meals. $14.99

Kafka's Soup by Mark Crick

The offbeat Kafka’s Soup: A Complete History of World Literature in 14 recipes is a tribute to the writers within. Just sample the bold prose of Raymond Chandler cooking lamb or the versified Onion Tart from Chaucer to appreciate the writer’s skills. A charming tribute to the unique voices that will delight book lovers everywhere. $13.95

The Splenda World of Sweetness

The Splenda World of Sweetness: Recipes for Homemade Desserts and Delicious Drinks is a must for anyone trying to cook with the wonder ingredient. This first official cookbook goes the gamut from Dulche de Leche Cheesecake to Chocolate Chip cookies with nutritional and tested treats. $19.95