Our Favorite New Cookbooks for Summer

Another season, another crop of books to help us all grow as home cooks. Now is always a good time to try something new.

Cookbooks sometimes are big, heavy tomes with beautiful photography that we browse, ooh, and aah, but never use when we’re in the kitchen. That’s OK. That use of cookbook is just as valid as books that inspire action and practicality. My grandmother, a wonderful home cook for almost 80 years, would snuggle into her living room reading chair with a cookbook for reading. A good food book can inspire dreaming as you lounge on the porch or by the pool.

Other books are chock full of tantalizing, not-too-crazy recipes that stir you to whip out the mixing bowl, and that’s great.Check out how Chowhounds weigh in on the cookbook of the month, every month.

These books were released in time for your summer menu plans, offering multi-cultural meals, salads, burgers, sweets, and vegan dishes.  Go forth, read, gaze, and cook.

Smoke and Pickles | Buy Now

Amazon

Chef, restaurateur, and author Eddie Lee embodies all the latest trends in one person by just being himself. Both the renaissance of Southern cuisine and Brooklyn DIY emerge in this book detailing curing, smoking, pickling, and fermenting. Not only that, there’s the Korean craze too. It’s comes honestly: Lee was raised in Brooklyn by Korean immigrant parents and he lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where he runs his multiple James Beard-nominated restaurant, 610 Magnolia. A former Top Chef competitor, he stuffed 130 recipes in this book, such as miso-smothered chicken, collards and kimchi, and braised beef kalbi with soft grits and scallions. Buy it here.

Mighty Salads | Buy Now

Amazon

The Food52 editorial team created another beauty with this salad book, published by Penguin Random House in April. Sure, you can toss a few items in a bowl and have a fine salad, but with these recipes, you can create a meal that’s as filling and tempting as a taco feast or pasta extravaganza. Salad is just the platform for all sorts of crazy combinations, such as a mushroom and mixed grains salad with carrot-harissa vinaigrette, which yes, does have a leafy green in it — Swiss chard. Besides grains, the salads can be heavy with meat, while others are light. Several recipes don’t contain any leafy greens. For summer, the fresh corn cakes with crab-tomato salad sounds particularly refreshing. Buy it here.

The World is Your Burger |Buy Now

Amazon

Now is the time to grant your friend who’s berserk over burgers this 432-page encyclopedic book with 250 illustrations detailing this dish’s history and culture, from White Castle to Daniel Boulud. Juicy burgers grilled over charcoal outdoors are arguably the best way to make this meaty main. So summer will get the reader in the mood even more. Author David Michaels has been obsessed about burgers since he was a boy. This is not so much a  cookbook, although there are 12 recipes in there, plus details on how to select and create all the fixings. Buy it here.

NYC Vegan |Buy Now

Amazon

Summertime can be too hot to eat a heavy, meaty dish, and you want something a little lighter. Published in May, this book by Michael Suchman and Ethan Ciment can be the answer, especially if you are totally vegan already, and you want to enjoy all the iconic dishes that New York City has to offer. Make New York-style bagels, knishes, classic New York-style pizza, latkes, Brooklyn egg creams, New York cheesecake, black-and-white cookies, and dishes inspired by immigrants from all over the world, because no American place is more of a melting pot than this city. You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy this book, but it may inspire you to cook more meatless meals when you see how filling and creative you can be without animal products. Buy it here.

Bakeless Sweets | Buy Now

Amazon

We were won over by two words: Nutella fluff. That’s all it took. Plus, we can’t have a round up of our favorite books without including at least one selection devoted to dessert. What better sweets cookbook during hot weather than one that requires no cooking? Bakeless Sweets by Faith Durand, executive editor of The Ktchn, tempts us with 125 recipes, from butterscotch pudding and panna cotta to icebox cake and cookies that don’t need to go in the oven. Most of the recipes are gluten-free, too. Score! Buy it here.

from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2rAiSMB
via IFTTT

What is the Difference Between Herbs and Spices?

Whether you’re seasoning chicken or amping up stew, herbs and spices have the ability to elevate any dish’s flavor profile from boring and drab to complex and fab. Take basil, for instance. Spaghetti marinara is essentially pasta and smashed tomatoes without the aromatic herb’s peppery and slightly minty presence. Or how about red cayenne pepper? Good luck bringing the heat to your seafood paella or award-winning chili without it.

Unsurprisingly, many of us are unaware of the differences between herbs and spices, having used the words synonymously while cooking or discussing our favorite foods. We’re here to clear up the distinction, which all boils down to a simple lesson in botany (or herbology, if you’re a wizard).

Herbs are the leaves of the plant (think rosemary, parsley, dill, and oregano), while spices are derived from the seeds, bark, and roots (think pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and turmeric). Some plants, like cilantro, can be both (we use the leaves and its coriander seeds), but most serve a single purpose. And there you have it. Now you can sound all kinds of smart and professional the next time you’re in the kitchen.

We’ve rounded up six of our favorite herb and spice-heavy recipes below. Take a stab at them and impress all of your dinner guests.

Herbed Potato Salad

Chowhound

It’s hard to mess up a classic and we adore this mayo-free version that is heavy on flavor and light on added calories. Just be sure to pack a breath mint — this packs a heavy garlic and onion punch! Get the recipe.

Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder with Orange, Yogurt and Herbs

Chowhound

A splash of citrus really brings out the herbs, while yogurt tames their zest. It’s the perfect harmony of fresh ingredients. Get the recipe.

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Feta and Herbs

Chowhound

Cheese and herbs are a match made in tastebud heaven. You’ve had Boursin, right? If not, head to the grocery store immediately and purchase it. Your life has just begun. Get the recipe.

Spiced Zucchini Muffins

Chowhound

Spices aren’t exclusive to savory entrees. Jazz up a basic dessert by adding simple spices with bold tastes. Get the recipe.

German Mulled Wine

Chowhound

It doesn’t have to be Christmas-time to enjoy this festive cinnamon and clove-based drink. In fact, this would make for an excellent tea or coffee substitute on a rainy summer Sunday. Get the recipe.

Spice-Rubbed Pot Roast

Chowhound

You can’t go wrong with a pot roast when it comes to home-cooked meal night. The only difficulty is predicting how much meat will actually feed and satisfy your hungry family. Get the recipe.

from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2taZ4g1
via IFTTT

Friday Food Finds: Chobani, Watermelon Water, Mochi, and Banana Pudding

Summer has officially arrived, which means food companies, restaurants, and bakeries are rolling out all of their limited edition summer flavors and menu items. We teamed up again with SiriusXM’s Wake Up with Taylor to taste test the latest snacks and fads that are debuting around the country. Listen below and head directly to your local grocery store (or Magnolia Bakery) to try them. We guarantee you’re going to get hungry.

Chobani Greek Yogurt Kiwi and Watermelon Summer Flavors

Chobani

We love ourselves some Chobani, but we aren’t sure if these were our favorite. While the kiwi taste was unique and subtle, the watermelon came off as artificial…almost like a watermelon Sour Patch Kid, but without the tartness. Frankly, our favorite way to eat Greek yogurt is to buy it plain and doctor it up with our own ingredients like seeds, nuts, and fruit. Dr. Oz would be so proud.

WTRMLN WTR Ginger Flavor

WTR MLN

We wanted to like this refreshing and healthy drink SO badly (because investor Beyoncé can seriously do no wrong), but the potent ginger flavor didn’t align with the watermelon juice’s subtle sweetness. We’ll have to try the original and report back to you, but feel free to sample this yourself and let us know how you feel. (Sorry, #Beygency. Please don’t kill us.)

My/Mo Mint Chocolate Chip Mochi

My/Mo

Come through, mochi! If you aren’t able to stop by LA’s Museum of Ice Cream to experience the Mint Chocolate Chip room, just head to your local Whole Foods to pick up a box of these guys. At only 110 calories per serving, it’s the perfect late-night snack to satisfy that pesky sweet tooth.

Magnolia Bakery Magic Bar Banana Pudding

Magnolia Bakery

This limited edition July flavor is exactly what heaven tastes like…or what we hope it tastes like. If heaven was edible, of course. (Bear with us, it’s Friday.) The chocolate chips are a perfect texture crunch against the gooey cake and rich banana pudding. Also, does coconut ever taste bad on any dessert? The answer is no, obviously. Watch out for S’mores and Salted Caramel varieties later this summer.

from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2tvK4bY
via IFTTT

Classic Fried Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches With Lettuce and Tomato

A simple sandwich, with tender toasted bread, lettuce, tomato, and a basic condiment, adds all the flavor and texture you need to deep-fried soft-shell crabs, but doesn't compete with them unnecessarily. Get Recipe!

from Serious Eats: Recipes http://ift.tt/2siUyfC
via IFTTT

Amazon to Acquire Whole Foods

Amazon and Whole Foods Market, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire Whole Foods Market for $42 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $13.7 billion, including Whole Foods Market’s net debt.

from Subscribe to Preparedfoods.com's RSS Feed http://ift.tt/2sALqpy
via IFTTT

Here’s the Top Secret Recipe for ‘Big Brother’ Slop

Beach vacations, exposed midriff, and brunch-side bottles of rosé may be sure-tell signs that summer has arrived, but fans of CBS’s long-running competition series Big Brother know that our favorite season only begins after a dress-clad Julie Chen mutters the words “welcome, houseguests” on Wednesday, June 28 at 8/7c.

In celebration of the long-awaited season 19 premiere, we decided to whip up a batch of everyone’s favorite Big Brother treat: Paul’s friendship muffins. ZIIIIIIING! Just kidding. What we really meant to say was “slop.”

Sure, the protein and vitamin heavy concoction is obviously no treat, but it has provided viewers with television gold as house have-nots (those who fail at weekly challenges) squirm and gag at the prospect of eating what is essentially considered gruel in an oversized bucket. But let’s be honest, we’ve all kind of wanted to know how it tastes…and now’s your chance!

To get started, all you need is steel cut oats, unflavored whey protein isolate, unflavored soy protein, and vitamin and mineral powder. You can also top your finished slop with one of the following pre-approved condiments: balsamic vinegar, olive oil, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, vegetable oil, hot sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, olives, relish, salsa, soy sauce, steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, maple syrup, black pepper, garlic salt, crushed red pepper, salt, vanilla, basil, bay leaves, cinnamon, leaf oregano, paprika, parsley, rosemary, brown sugar, artificial sweetener, powder creamer, white sugar, coffee, tea, protein powder, and milk. It’s no Head of Household basket, but your options aren’t completely tragic.

Check out the video above for a step-by-step cooking process, as well as the exact (and surprisingly healthy) recipe that producers use on the show. Who knows, you may actually like the unappetizing taste and consistency. Expect the unexpected.

Get the Official Big Brother Slop recipe.

Chowhound

from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2rzecXz
via IFTTT

Skinnygirl Market Fresh Deli

Skinnygirl Market Fresh Deli is endorsed by the American Heart Association for lower sodium and fat.

from Subscribe to Preparedfoods.com's RSS Feed http://ift.tt/2siNUWx
via IFTTT

Classic Chowza

Each resealable pouch is printed with one of 20 different inspirational quotes, many of which were chosen by the backers of a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.

from Subscribe to Preparedfoods.com's RSS Feed http://ift.tt/2t9P4Ue
via IFTTT

Specialty Food Association, FMI Announce Alliance

Food safety experts from FMI will lead educational opportunities at the SFA's Summer Fancy Food Show.

from Subscribe to Preparedfoods.com's RSS Feed http://ift.tt/2rDroWn
via IFTTT

Wrigley summer Skittles, Juicy Fruit

Just in time for summer celebrations, Wrigley has launched Skittles America Mix and Juicy Fruit America Pop gum. These limited-edition flavors are a must-have for summer gatherings, road trips and more.

from Subscribe to Preparedfoods.com's RSS Feed http://ift.tt/2s8bDtY
via IFTTT