Top Shelf in November: A Feast of Great New Cookbooks

~post by Julie

It’s that time of year when we turn to our kitchens with fresh gusto and zeal to cook up celebratory feasts for family and friends. There is no shortage of worthy cookbooks to help us along this year. In fact, there are so many fine new cookbooks on the shelf that we’ve decided to put a few of them to the test and explore their recipes in our home kitchens. Join us as we document our culinary adventures in a month-long series on our blog. Get started no your own kitchen expedition with one of the terrific new cookbooks recommended below. Good luck and happy feasting!

Texas on the Table: People, Places, And Recipes Celebrating the Flavors of the Lone Star State by Terry Thompson-Anderson

Texas is not only a unique place to live, it’s a distinct place to eat. Our state’s varied climate and changing landscape offer a little something for every palate. Local farms, ranches, vineyards, shrimpers, cheese-makers, and high and chefs in our cities lend incredible variety to our markets and home kitchens. Terry Thompson-Anderson has long been writing about the many culinary adventures of our Lone Star State has to offer. Now, the presents the stories of the people behind our plates, along with 150 recipes, ranging from appetizers and desserts to wild game and g\vegetarian dishes, that represent the diverse food profile of Texas. If you enjoy this cookbook, you may also enjoy the cooking from The Homesick Texan Cookbook by Lisa Fain.

Mexico: The Cookbook by Margarita Carrillo Arronte

Chef Margarita Carrillo Arronte has hosted shows for the E! Gourmet channel in Mexico, taught classes, and served as Vice President of the Mexican Conservatory of Gastronomical Culture. Her latest cookbook is a comprehensive collection of 700 recipes that cover the cuisine of the entire country. Arronte’s thirty-five years of research and cooking have gone into producing what is rightfully described by the publisher as a “bible of authentic Mexican home cooking.” 200 full-color photographs and a popping pink cover make this book a true feast for the senses and an essential tome for Mexican cooking. If you enjoy this cookbook, you may also enjoy cooking from Viva Tequila! by Lucinda Hutson

Jack Allen’s Kitchen: Celebrating the Tastes of Texas by Jack Gilmore

Jack Gilmore puts local first in his Austin-area restaurant, Jack Allen’s Kitchen. In addition to the regular menu, every night he features locally sourced, seasonal specials made with fresh ingredients. Allen’s Southern-style meals are made authentic and irresistible by produce and meat provided by farms in Central Texas, along with profiles of the farmers and purveyors who live and work here. If you enjoy this cookbook, you may also enjoy cooking from Afield by Jesse Griffiths.

The New Indian Slow Cooker: Recipes for Curries, Dals, Chutneys, Masalas, Biryani, and More by Neela Paniz

We’ve been on a slow cooker craze here at BookPeople. Soups, stews, whatever we can put in the pot and set, we’ve been into it. Of course, this means we’re on the lookout for new and unique recipes. Ten Speed Press has a terrific series of slow cooker cookbooks. The latest, by Neela Paniz, owner of Bombay Cafe in Los Angeles (and a winning contestant on Chopped), digs into the fragrant, flavorful dishes of India. Budget­ friendly vegetarian and meat­ based recipes make this an accessible cookbook for young chefs and busy families looking for an easy, affordable route to home cooked Indian suppers. If you enjoy this cookbook, you may also enjoy cooking from The Mediterranean Slow Cooker by Michele Scicolone.

Joy the Baker Homemade Decadence: Irresistibly Sweet, Salty, Gooey, Sticky, Fluffy, Creamy, Crunchy Treats by Joy Wilson

If your higher power is your sweet tooth, look no further for your new favorite cookbook. Blogger Joy Wilson won our hearts when she visited BookPeople with her first cookbook, and she’s wooed us all over again with this latest collection of decadent, indulgent recipes. The cake on the cover was a big hit at a baby shower we threw for our Children’s Book Buyer this year. Peanut butter heaven, y’all, we can attest to its truth. Elizabeth will post a play-by-play of that baking experience on our blog later this month. This is the perfect cookbook for bakers who love to sink into rich ingredients and create spectacular desserts. If you enjoy this cookbook, you may also enjoy cooking from Baking Chez Moi by Doris Greenspan.