The holidays are coming and it’s time to start of the perfect gift to give your loved ones. This year, you can choose to spice things up by gifting your friends the exciting book of wonder cuisines, A Cookbook.
A cookbook with beautiful photos, thoughtful narratives, and foolproof recipes can feed the imagination, transport your giftee to another city or country, and inspire them to get creative in the kitchen. There are cookbooks out there to suit every type of cook, whether novice or expert, and feed all interests — from TV show cookbooks to comprehensive tomes on the science of cooking.
Top 5 Cookbooks To Gift Your Loved Ones In 2021
Every year, hundreds of new cookbooks make their way onto bookstore shelves. Here are our favorite cookbooks, new and old, to gift this year.
1. “Cook Real Hawai’i” by Sheldon Simeon, $25.49 available at Amazon
A finalist in two different seasons of “Top Chef,” Sheldon Simeon co-authored a cookbook with Garrett Snyder, transporting readers to the tropical islands of Hawaii. The book dives into stories of Simeon’s family, as well as the state’s history and cultural traditions. With 100 recipes throughout the book, this personalized guide to Hawaiian cooking has something for beginners and advanced cooks.
2. “The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook” by Ashley Craft, $11.99 at Amazon
Technically unofficial, this cookbook will transport you directly into Disneyland. You can replicate a variety of food found in Disney theme parks. It features 100 recipes of iconic Disneyland treats and snacks, including the famous Dole whip, beignets, and more.
3. “LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About” by Patti LaBelle, $26.99 at Amazon
Patti LaBelle is not only the Godmother of Soul and a musical icon, but she is also a New York Times bestselling author for her cookbooks. Her newest cookbook, “Labelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About,” has recipes centered around LaBelle’s family’s Southern roots. With comfort-food favorites like potato salad and peach cobbler, she showcases a variety of her recipes that are full of personal touches.
4. “Rodney Scott’s World of Barbecue” by Rodney Scott and Lolis Eric Elie, $18.14, available at Amazon
My best friend (and fellow cookbook collector) recently texted me raving about this cookbook and the genius of Rodney Scott’s Loaded Pork Skin “Nachos,” Pit-Smoked Turkey, and whole-hog approach to Carolina barbecue. Scott’s positivity and passion shine throughout the book, and you’ll learn lots about southern food ways, and the history of Carolina barbecue along the way.
5. “The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook” by Jeffrey Eisner, $10.78, available at Amazon
Insider Reviews reporter, James Brains, is currently testing Instant Pots and other multicookers for an update to our guide to the best electric pressure cookers. He’s been using recipes from this cookbook and reports that they’re easy to follow, have plenty of photos, and are delicious to boot.
The book features more than 750 photos detailing step-by-step how to make the 100+ recipes, and makes a great gift for anyone who is curious about Instant Pots but hasn’t taken the plunge yet.
In the December issue of Martha Stewart Living, food editor Lucinda Scala Quinn gives her lineup of favorite cookbooks from the last year. Do check it out.
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POSTED IN: GIFTS WE LOVE · TAGGED: CHRISTMAS GIFTS, COOKBOOKS, GIFT IDEAS, GIFTS FOR DAD, GIFTS FOR MOM, HOLIDAYS