2015 Holiday Gift-Guide Books

12 BONES SMOKEHO– USE by Bryan King, Shane Heavner, Angela Koh & Mackensy Lunsford

For lovers of the 12 Bones restaurant as well as fans of progressive ‘cue, 12 Bones Smokehouse includes signature recipes and techniques for ribs, pulled pork, and all the fixin’s.

When 12 Bones Smokehouse opened in Asheville, North Carolina, many doubted that it would succeed. From a squat building in a flood plain, the owners were serving up creative barbecue that wasn’t 100-percent true to any single region. Yet a decade later, 12 Bones is a local institution that rivals the Biltmore Estate in popularity. (In fact, it’s 12 Bones alone that has been on President Obama’s itinerary all three times he’s passed through Asheville.)

The 12 Bones Smokehouse book is true to the spirit of the place. Everything is made from scratch–and cornbread is not optional. Inside you’ll find all the classics: from the famous ribs to smoky pork, turkey, and chicken. And just like the restaurant, the bookis uniquely vegetarian-friendly by barbecue standards. From tangy Pickled Okra Salad to savory Jalapeno Cheese Grits, everyone will find something to love. Addictive desserts and flavor-packed rubs and sauces–including the famous Blueberry-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce–are all here, too. So if you can’t make it to 12 Bones this week, now you have the next best thing.

*Perfect for BBQ lovers, travelers and foodies!
**Favorite restaurant of President Obama, featured in Bon Appetit and National TV Discovery Channel, Hallmark Channel, CNN and more

VANILLA TABLE by Natasha MacAller

You may think there are only so many ways vanilla can be used in cooking – surprise! International Chef Natasha MacAller will change your mind by taking you on a journey to discover the many wonders of one of the most amazingly versatile ingredients in your pantry.

Vanilla Table is a culinary celebration of all things vanilla. With its fragrant and captivating scent, it can be creatively used in an endless array of delicious dishes. From sweet to savoury, the more than 100 recipes-including 32 dishes carefully curated from 33 internationally acclaimed chefs worldwide- show how to make the most of this magical ingredient. For instance, this cookbook demonstrates the delights of vanilla and trout pairing; how just a vanilla pinch deliciously wakes up a pork chop; and of course, countless ways to make desserts sparkle.

Natasha MacAller also provides tips, tricks, and expert knowledge to make you a vanilla connoisseur, too. With advice ranging from how to recognize the best product, to proper storing, Vanilla Table will encourage you to use this incredible ingredient in ways never imagined.

Joining Natasha MacAller and other famed chefs in this vanilla tribute are UK superstars Yotam Ottolenghi, Peter Gordon, William Curley, and Galton Blackiston; each contributed dazzling recipes to this landmark cookbook.

*Great gift for the foodie, baker and daring home cook!
**Former ballerina for the Joffrey Ballet & Boston Ballet. One tour for Vanilla Table and new restaurant opening in August

SCOOK by Anne Sophie-Pic

A sumptuous collection of over 100 recipes allowing us to discover the wonders of extraordinary French cooking in the comfort of our own homes. With the aim of teaching those who wish to learn, Anne-Sophie Pic imparts her own wisdom, as well as that she has inherited from one of the most renowned cooking dynasties in France, into each and every dish. With sections dedicated to welcoming guests, everyday recipes, recipes for children, classic dishes and homemade meals, each recipe guides you clearly through the different processes with easy-to-follow instructions. In addition to a range of tips and tricks throughout the collection, there are 40 step-by-step guides to overcoming even the trickiest of techniques, all fully photographed so that you can see how each method is performed. Scook is about making even the most exquisite of recipes accessible to everyone so it can be enjoyed by cooks of all levels.

Whether you wish to create a simple supper for the whole family, an elegant main course showstopper for your dinner party or a delicious French classic, there is something for everyone whatever your cooking ability.

*Great gift for the well-traveled food aficionado, aspiring chef, francophile
**Featured on Eater.com, Anne Sophie-Pic is a Michelin Star rated chef for Mason Pic

MIKKELLER’S BOOK OF BEER by Mikkel Bjergs

The man behind Mikkeller brewery offers his guide to the best beers. Discover how he got started in the business, and learn about the ever-growing Nordic beer revolution with its fascinating origins. Then find out everything you have ever wanted to know about this highly versatile of drinks with an in-depth look at the different types and the intrinsic differences between them.

Drawing on his years of experimenting with tastes, textures and techniques in the art of beer brewing, Mikkel offers you his own extraordinary insights into the processes behind your favourite beers. Starting with the basics, discover how to make beer at home with easy-to-follow recipes covering many of the sought-after brews that Mikkeller and his friends have become known for.

In addition to this, learn about how to taste beer and understand its flavours. With a chapter dedicated to food, Mikkel offers an alternative to wine with meals and teaches us which beers work best with what foods as well as providing us with a few tasty recipes of his own.

*Perfect for those who appreciate a good beer, home brewers and growing legions of Mikkeller fans
**International acclaim and interest from CBS, NYTimes and more.

ONE POT GOURMET GARDENER by Cinead McTernan & Jason Ingram

How clever would it be to grow all the ingredients for an entire tasty dish in one garden pot? Well now you can, with The One-Pot Gourmet Gardener, which takes 25 contemporary and classic recipes and shows how to grow their ingredients in one chic container. Grow each recipe in one pot and serve them in another! The container recipes are arranged by eating event from picnics to snacks to main courses and puddings, with drinks and dressings to accompany. Enjoy refreshing chilled Gazpacho, followed by tasty Courgette and Fennel Tart with healthy Micro-Veg Salad, topped off with delicious Summer Pudding, and washed down with Pimms Jelly. The one-pot recipes are for beginners and more experienced gardeners and cooks, and include a full step by step masterclass to sowing, growing and harvesting.

*A wonderful gift for the expert & beginner gardener and lover of farm fresh food
Jason Ingram won Photographer of the Year at the Garden Media Guild Awards, 2014

FITNESS GOURMET by Christian Coates

Fitness Gourmet’s straight-talking approach combined with nutritional know-how is proven with elite athletes and sportspeople, as well as celebrities. And now their system of creating tailored menus is available to everyone.

The book has two parts: the first section provides in-depth nutritional information; the second part offers a wealth of vibrant, mouthwatering recipes.

Each recipe can be done in one of three ways: for losing weight (Burn), for vitality (Balance) and for building lean muscle/training (Build). The main part of the recipe is the same for all versions, with different serving suggestions given depending on your ultimate goal.

The healthy and easy-to-make recipes have been designed so that every tasty mouthful delivers a nutrient-dense punch.