Cook! Fresh Flavourful Family Meals
Deborah Anzinger, Whitecap Books, $24.95
In her cookbook aimed squarely at working parents, home economist (and Edmonton resident) Deborah Anzinger puts paid to the idea that busy families have to rely on convenience foods. Her message is: nutrition, flavour, energy, and vitality; if you want your family to have it, cooking at home is the way to get it. She not only provides some great family recipes your kids will actually eat, she shows how to get the family cooking and eating together.
How to Cook Bouillabaisse in 37 Easy Steps: Culinary Adventures in Paris and Provence
Diane Shaskin and Mark Craft, Voconces Culinary, $25
Former Edmontonians Diane Shaskin and Mark Craft (founders of Planet Organic Markets) share their love of France in this chronicle of their culinary adventures — food markets in Paris, learning how to make the perfect roast lamb and tasting their way around the 56 French AOC cheeses.
Back to Baking, 200 Timeless Recipes to Bake, Share and Enjoy
Anna Olson, Whitecap Books, $40
There’s much to love about this new book by Sugar’s Anna Olson. It’s hardcover, which feels so much better than a paperback. It’s well organized by recipe type, such as cookies, special occasion and holiday. There is a large section on specialty baking for dietary needs, such as gluten-free, low sugar and dairy free. The finely detailed section called Before You Bake has tips that even veteran bakers will appreciate. It’s an excellent bible for neophyte bakers and a good compendium for those whose cookbook library is already filled with Regan Daley, Dorie Greenspan and Rose Levy Beranbaum.
Soup: A Kosher Collection
Pam Reiss, Whitecap Books, $24.95
Soup lovers rejoice. You don’t have to cook kosher to find robust soups in Winnipegger Pam Reiss’ update to her 2004 book. It’s easy to navigate with good tips on technique, calorie and nutrition info, with over 150 recipes.
Freddy’s War
Judy Schultz, Brindle & Glass, $19.95
We’re big fans of Judy Schultz’s first fiction book, Freddy’s War. Well, we’re big fans of Judy period. But even if we didn’t know Judy, we’d still love this book. It’s the story of a young man who goes to war, what happens to him and the people who love him. It’s raw, compelling, quite sad. We couldn’t put it down. Now we can’t forget it. And yes, there’s food writing — writing so evocative you can smell and taste every noodle.