Cookbooks

Gift Guide: 5 Delicious Must-Have Cookbooks and Gifts For Foodies

Holiday season is nigh, and with it arrive the invites to fun ugly sweater parties, egg nog evenings, and secret Santa exchanges. When giving a gift, one can never go wrong with either food or a book, and cookbooks bring the best of those two options together here are 5 from some of the most popular voices in cuisine. See our complete list of recommendations for gift ideas for the foodie in your life!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It!: Simple, Scrumptious Recipes for Crazy Busy Lives (B&N Exclusive Edition), by Ree Drummond
Ree Drummond, AKA ‘The Pioneer Woman,’ is a pro at entertaining both guests in her house and viewers on the telly. Through blogging about her day to day life about living on a ranch and cooking, the Oklahoma-based blogger rose to fame. Whether she’s ranching, blogging, or making television appearances, there is no frontier she won’t faced. In this Barnes and Noble exclusive cookbook, Drummond imparts her secrets for “simple” and “scrumptious” dishes that cooks in any region can get behind. The book includes pantry staples, then delves into no-fuss breakfast recipes like Crunchy French Toast Sticks and Granola Bars.
Smitten Kitchen Every Day: Triumphant and Unfussy New Favorites, by Deb Perelman
Smitten Kitchen’s blogger, Deb Perelman, brings her readers not only delicious and easy-to-follow recipes, but a slice of humor with every bite. With lines like, “It’s giant white beans cooked to the tune of baked ziti, bronzed melty lid and all,” the cookbook is simply a fun book to read beyond the mouthwatering recipes. Impress guests with dishes like Wild Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie, Three Cheese Pasta Bake, Dutch Baby Pancakes, and Sticky Toffee Waffles.
Lidia’s Celebrate Like an Italian: 220 Foolproof Recipes That Make Every Meal a Party, by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali
As a cookbook author, celebrity chef, and tv food host, Lidia Bastianich wears many hats–all of the tall and puffy variety. Together with her children, tv personality Joe Bastianich and writer Tanya Bastanich Manuali, Lidia owns numerous acclaimed Italian eateries. Invite Lidia into any home with her cookbook, Lidia’s Celebrate Like an Italian: 220 Foolproof Recipes That Make Every Meal a Party, which covers everything you need to know to throw a fun party, Italian style, like Aperol Spritz, Stuzzichini, Lobster Salad, Mixed Fish Stew, and Polenta with Honey & Berries.
The Perfect Cookie: Your Ultimate Guide to Foolproof Cookies, Brownies & Bars, by America’s Test Kitchen
Long-time cooking show, America’s Test Kitchen, has numerous cookbooks under their belt, covering everything from vegan to grilling. Their methods are, as they describe it, “foolproof,” and yield incredible tasting dishes. This recently published cookbook pulls together ATK’s most successful recipes for cookies, brownies, and bars, with chapters dedicated to Drop Cookies, Brownies & Blondies, and Gluten-Free treats.
Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street: The New Home Cooking, by Christopher Kimball
Known for his colorful bow tie, charming personality, and most importantly, mad-cooking skills, Christopher Kimball left America’s Test Kitchen 2015 and began a new venture, Milk Street. Actually located on ‘Milk Street’ in Boston, the company focuses on ‘new home cooking.’ This cookbook pulls methods and flavors from numerous international cuisines, each offering a succulent ride for the taste buds. Highlights include Japanese Fried Chicken, Shrimp in Chipotle sauce, and Caramel Oranges.
Shop our Holiday Gift Guide, with prefect gifts for everyone on your list!