You can’t go wrong shopping for your favorite foodie with a cookbook, a food-related movie or some new tunes to enjoy.
Cookbook Heaven: What foodie wouldn’t enjoy exploring a new cookbook for their collection? From the classics to the newly published, there’s a cookbook out there just waiting for a good home. Here are my top 5 modern classic suggestions: Bouchon by Thomas Keller (or anything by Thomas Keller) is one of those classics that will stand the test of time. I can whole-heartedly recommend his Favorite Roasted Chicken. I had a revelation when I read the recipe. Chef Keller believes that the chicken should be completely dry going into the oven, otherwise it will steam away all the moisture from the cooked bird. This makes so much sense. This recipe has become one of our family favorites, so comforting on a cool fall or cold winter’s night. We serve the whole bird halved for two with a mixed green salad. Simple and satisfying. The book is a wonder of delights, but just this recipe is worth it. Ten by Sheila Lukins is ten essential recipes refreshed. The Osso Bucco is not to be missed, and the only way I’ll fix this dish. Jersusalem by Yotam Ottalenghi for pure Mediterranean favorites, with truly beautiful photography. Plenty, also by Yotam Ottalenghi for amazing vegetable dishes. Any cookbook by Lidia Bastianich is sure to please for homemade Italian dishes.
Movie Night: A top ten of fun and entertaining food movie favorites include Mostly Martha—I highly recommend the original German language version with English subtitles, but the American remake No Reservations is worth a look. Check out Chef with John Favreau, Big Night with Tony Shaloub and Stanley Tucci, Eat Drink Man Woman by director Ang Lee, Waitress with Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion, Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, Julie and Julia with Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, Moonstruck with Cher and Nicolas Cage, and Chocolat with Juliet Binoche and Johnny Depp.
Music to Cook By: I don’t know about you, but I like to crank up the tunes when I cook. Make your foodie a catalog of favorites, anything from Pavarotti to Patsy Cline, Lord Huron to Linda Ronstadt, Etta James to Emmylou Harris, Van Morrison to X Ambassadors. Mix up some inspiration for your foodie friend!