Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert
Davin de Kergommeaux, McClelland & Stewart, $25
Whisky aficionado Davin de Kergommeaux’s book tells the story of Canada’s pioneer spirit through impeccably researched history, tasting notes from an expert palate, and reports on the new craft whisky scene. It continues to rack up awards: International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Best Wine, Beer, or Spirits Book of 2012 and a third prize Gourmand World Cookbook Award, spirits category. Whisky lovers will find this book essential.
Taste: Seasonal Dishes from a Prairie Table
CJ Katz, CPRC Press, $30
Regina-based food writer and Gold Medal Plates judge CJ Katz makes a delicious case for adding Prairie-grown ingredients to our repertoire, such as more flax, saskatoon berries, mustard and lentils. Enjoy more than 120 recipes, including a delicious chocolate, prairie cherry and saskatoon berry semifreddo, illustrated by 160 mouthwatering photos. Winner of the 2013 World Gourmand Cookbook Award for Best First Cookbook.
The Salt Book
Fritz Gubler and David Glynn with Dr. Russell Keast, Whitecap, $30
No pantry is immune. The exquisite little jars of crystals. The blue, the red and the pink, and the unappetizing-looking but oh so delicious, and expensive, grey salt. The Welsh, the Himalayan, the Hawaiian, the French and the Italian, not to mention the forlorn box of Windsor tucked in the back. What to do with all the salts? They seemed like such a good idea at the time. The Salt Book is a good start. With 200 recipes, salt lore, lots of how-to and when to use information, you’ll be through that salt inventory in no time.
Everyday Cooking for Kids
Jennifer Low, Whitecap, $30
We were big fans of Jennifer Low when she was food editor of Canadian House and Home, loving her fresh approach to flavour and technique. Her second cookbook for kids shares her no-nonsense approach. It’s a book that gets kids in the kitchen without the danger — no sharp objects, nothing with a motor, or cooked on a stovetop. Use this book to entertain on rainy afternoons this summer while helping your kids learn to make tasty family food by hand. A portion of proceeds goes to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada who use the book in their teen mentors program.