Cookbooks & Beverages
A few years ago my employee Elizabeth and I generally unpacked UPS shipments from our book distributors and publishers around lunchtime, and we found ourselves particularly vulnerable to all the fine cookbooks arriving. This listing is by no means all of our cookbooks. It is a gathering of recent and/or interesting titles along with a few classics added to show we have grounding in our selection. My mother raised me to read cookbooks somewhat the same as a novel or a history or a biography. Pretty pictures and clever premises are not enough to stock a title. It must have accessible content as well, and a cookbook with good writing is a treasure.
America's Test Kitchen: The Complete Small Plates Cookbook
America's Test Kitchen: The Complete Small Plates Cookbook
This complete guide to the wonderfully diverse world of small plates offers practical ways to make spreads that can be sumptuous or streamlined
Making a satisfying array of small plates at home is all about putting the right pieces together. Balance hearty anchor dishes with creative nibbles and bites such as gussied up vegetables, crispy bar snacks, dressed-up cheeses, and more. This collection of recipes is achievable and low-stress, with helpful make-ahead advice and presentation tips. A robust introduction offers suggestions for pairings, taking ease, prep, flavor, and serving temperature into consideration. Planning is key, which we show you how to do with our Game Plan strategies with every recipe, and a useful appendix to turn to when you need.
Bar snacks: For cocktail parties, make small, satisfying morsels such as Smoky Shishito Peppers with Espelette and Lime
Nibbles, Little Bites, Heartier Bites: Pair hearty dishes like Pinchos Morunos with littler bites like Fennel, Orange, and Olive Salad, Stuffed Pickled Cherry Peppers, and Southern Cheese Straws, along with store-bought nibbles such as olives and cheese
Fully make-ahead: Make many recipes (Pork-Ricotta Meatballs) a day or more ahead of your gathering for fussfree and efficient entertaining
Perfect pairings: Balance fresh dishes like Scallops with Asparagus and Citrus Salad with rich Carciofi Alla Giudia
One-bite sweet treats: End your evening sweetly with Chocolate–Lemon Truffles or Turkish Stuffed Apricots with Rose Water and Pistachios
Mix and match proteins, deconstruct salads, fry dumplings, make tempting dessert bites. Vegetable Pakoras with Shashlik and Spinach Squares? Yes, please.