Recipes Blog

Recipe for Potato Galette from How Wild Things Are by Analiese Gregory

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This cookbook is an armchair traveler’s dream. The recipes and stories are from New Zealand and Australia, with a little bit of Finland sprinkled in. Today’s recipe is a perfectly British potato galette, made in a skillet. In the book, there is food from the wild island of Tasmania, such as rooster and wallaby, that you won’t find in my kitchen, but I do love reading about interesting culinary adventures. And there is an intriguing chocolate and "liquorice" cake that is next on my list.

Recipe excerpted with permission from How Wild Things Are by Analiese Gregory, photographs by Adam Gibson. Published by Hardie Grant Books February 2021.

Click on the book cover to buy:

Recipe for Turbot with Hollandaise Sauce from Legendary Dinners by Anne Petersen

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This gorgeous book is filled with delicious recipes and stories of memorable dinners. Dream of dining with Queen Elizabeth or President Kennedy, and perhaps Jackson Pollack and Bloomsbury artists. I am excited to make Truman Capote’s Chilled Avocado Cream Soup and a delightful gingersnap circus from Bauhaus artist Gunta Stolzi. The book ends with the menu from Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier’s nuptials and their lovely wedding cake.

Recipe excerpted with permission from Legendary Dinners by Anne Petersen (Prestel Publishing)

Click on the book cover to buy:

Recipe for Asparagus Quiche from Sheet Pan Everything by Ricardo Larrivee

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

Who roasts beets on a sheet pan? Or chickpeas? I do, with pomegranate seeds, since I read this book. There are brilliant recipes that combine meat, fish, or tofu with veggies right on the same pan. Next on my list: cauliflower tacos, spiraled hash browned rösti, haddock with garlic cream, and a giant chocolate chip cookie for all to share.

Excerpted from Sheet Pan Everything by Ricardo Larrivee. Copyright © 2021 Ricardo Media. Published by Appetite by Random House®, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.

Click on the book cover to buy:

Recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprouts from Toaster Oven Perfection by America’s Test Kitchen

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

I love my toaster oven. This cookbook is overflowing with great dishes to make without heating up the kitchen. The brussels sprouts recipe is perfect for a side for a Passover dinner. Try the variation with pomegranate seeds and pistachios. Then, use the book for easy meals year-round. Next on my list: the rum-glazed roasted pineapple for a sweet spring dessert.

Recipe excerpted with permission from Toaster Oven Perfection by America’s Test Kitchen

Click on the book cover to buy:

Recipe for Matzo Ball Soup from The Chicken Bible by America's Test Kitchen

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

You need a classic matzoh ball in chicken soup recipe. Here is one is that is easy, and a perfect starter for a Passover lunch. This wonderful cookbook will guide you through tons of recipes. When you are planning another chicken dinner and want something different, you can expand your repertoire by trying Cock-a-Leekie soup, spicy chicken arrabbiata (angry chicken), arroz con pollo, or plain, baked pieces. Then, move on to some stews, such as burgoo or gumbo, and souvlaki skewers.

Recipe excerpted with permission from The Chicken Bible by America's Test Kitchen

Click on the book cover to buy:

Recipe for Chewy Iraqi Almond Cookies from Jew-ish by Jake Cohen

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

Get ready for Passover! Send a copy of this wonderful book, and some macaroon brownies, or these cookies, to your friends. The rest of the year, use your own copy to make some brisket, a kugel, shakshuka, or some salted honey chopped liver. What could be bad?

Excerpted from JEW-ISH: A COOKBOOK: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch © 2021 by Jake Cohen. Photography © 2021 by Matt Taylor-Gross. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Click on the book cover to buy:

Recipe for Anchovy Spaghetti with Pine Nut Picada from Rustica by Theo Michaels

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This lovely book has wonderful recipes: there is lamb from Spain, Sicilian caponata, and a Greek breakfast board you could put on the table any time of the day. Today's recipe has you melting the anchovies in olive oil, and throwing in a little of this and a lot of that for a marvelous pasta dish. On my to try next list: spicy cauliflower steaks and lots of fish dishes. There is even an octopus recipe for you brave cooks!

Recipe excerpted with permission from Rustica: Delicious Recipes for Village-Style Mediterranean Food by Theo Michaels, photography by Mowie Kay, published by Ryland Peters & Small

Click on the book cover to buy:

Recipe for Ricotta and Green Herb Torta from Pies, Glorious Pies by Maxine Clark, photographs by Steve Painter

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This beautiful book features savory and sweet pies galore. I love the adorably named Piggy Pies with quail eggs, the mud pie, and individual apples baked in a crust-topped ramekin. This torta can be made with any combination of greens and is a simple, one dish meal. Next on my list: Greek spinach pie.

Recipe excerpted with permission from Pies, Glorious Pies: Brilliant Recipes for Mouth-Wateringly Tasty Pies by Maxine Clark, Ryland Peters & Small, photography by Steve Painter © Ryland Peters & Small, 2012

Click on the book cover to buy:

Recipe for Pizza Margherita from Pizza by Thom Elliot and James Elliot

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This adorable book is filled with stories and recipes of pizza around the globe. Here’s a simple recipe to make on a chilly day. Start your dough the night before, and have a simple, yummy lunch, easy as pie!

Recipe excerpted with permission from Pizza by Thom Elliot and James Elliot photos by Dave Brown (Hardie Grant)

Click on the book cover to buy:

Recipe for Caramel Popcorn from The Complete DIY Cookbook for Young Chefs

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

One kid plus one adult, needed for this recipe. First, you make the popcorn. Then, the caramel sauce. Pour it on the popcorn, with some peanuts, and bake. A couple of stirs of the hot mixture, and Voila! A crunchy treat is born. The Complete DIY Cookbook for Young Chefs is filled with great recipes to make with your kids. Pita chips, smoothies, muffins, and even pesto. The companion book, Kitchen Explorers! has puzzles, games, and experiments sprinkled in with even more recipes. These books are perfect gifts for a budding young chef.

Recipe excerpted with permission from The Complete DIY Cookbook for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen.

Click on the book covers to buy: