What do you get for your fav foodie this year? It’s Ann Kelly, and I love books. You know that! I’ve loved to read for as long as I can remember. Each year for Christmas or my birthday, I usually received a book, and I treasure each and every one. My Mom and Dad signed and dated each one for me, and I’ll pass those along to the next generation.

   Cookbooks are a special favorite of mine to read. You don’t just grab them once in a while for a recipe or two; take them down and read the introductions, read the stories behind the creation of the dish, and especially the very cool regionalisms. The only time I may not indulge in an especially tasty tome is at bedtime – triggers the appetite at the wrong time!

   So here are a few suggestions to wrap with care this year…

   THE COOK’S ILLUSTRATED COOKBOOK

   When I was offered the opportunity to talk with Jack Bishop, who was there at the start of Cook’s Illustrated magazine, I knew it would be a great discussion. Jack is the editorial director of America’s Test Kitchen, now in its’ 11^th season on public television, and is the author of several of his own books, that include The Complete Italian Vegetarian Cookbook, and A Year in A Vegetarian Kitchen. The love of good food and cooking runs in the family – his wife Lauren Chattman is also a cookbook author and former pastry chef so it’s a true family affair in the kitchen.

   Jack joined the staff of Cook’s in 1988. Cook’s Illustrated is one of those rare publications that does not accept advertising, and has long been regarded as America’s most trusted food magazine. For the staff at Cook’s, it is all about the recipes and the careful process of choosing them. That sometimes helps create some very innovative twists on something as simple as a pie crust. The cookbook has over 2,000 recipes, and yes, it’s a pretty substantial book! I did enjoy taking the time to sit down and just browse through it, and as Jack reminded me, it’s a good way to relax and not over-think what we do in the kitchen. They test the recipes for us. It’s not surprising that one of his favorite recipes is something simple – their chocolate chip cookie recipe. But keeping it basic, and remembering the tried and true methods in the kitchen, like brining, are what help to create a memorable meal. The book would make a great gift for that person in your life that is already a fan of Cook’s Illustrated, and especially for the person just finding their way as a cook. All the basics and more are in The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook.

THE DEAD CELEBRITY COOKBOOK

   The title alone makes you want to take a second look. You know the author, Frank DeCaro. Frank was the movie critic on the Daily Show for seven years, and that makes the book a treasure for movie buffs.  It helps that Frank is such a huge movie fan; his inspiration for the book started back in college with a Dead Celebrity Party (okay, one of the few I’ve never thrown…). Frank did make a great point to me about the overabundance of those who consider themselves celebrities, and the fact that let’s face it, we know way too much about too many people…and actually need to know very little of it. But have fun with The Dead Celebrity Cookbook, and enjoy the great tidbits that go with every recipe. Who knew that the food most featured on The Golden Girls – cheesecake – was not a huge favorite of Bea Arthurs at all. And considering they consumed about 100 cheesecakes over the run of the show, great acting Bea! Check out other recipes like Michael Jackson’s Sweet Potato pie, Patrick Swayze’s Chicken Pot Pie,  Karen Carpenter’s Chewy Pie. The combination of the behind the scenes stories blended with the personal recipes makes for a fun read. The only disappointment for me? That the recipe from Irene Ryan, well known for her role of Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies was not for moonshine! Irene’s recipe was for Spicy Cornbread (page 180). I suppose that keeps in country enough. Enjoy The Dead Celebrity Cookbook, A Resurrection of Recipes from More Than 145 Stars of Stage and Screen from Frank Decaro, and throw your own Dead Celebrity Party. After the holidays have come and gone…why not!

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

"Give me liberty or... Oooo... A jelly donut!" -— Homer Simpson