I said, "Herbs,Herb!"

Spices and Herbs

By: Jill Norman

Why do I have two kinds of spice books?

Priority? I guess...

I was first recommended to this book so I got this one at least a couple months before I got the other one. So in other words It was just a impulse buy..

Pictures/cover

Honestly It also caught my eye because of the cover and the amazing pictures inside. I mean sure it may not have extensive information on each herb or spice, or have as many herbs or spices, but the pictures sure are pretty! And looking through this book I even discovered herbs and spices I haven't even heard of. And that's saying something!

Because I can

The more books in my culinary library the happier it makes me! It's amazing how much my library has grown even since buying this book.. The only sad part is I have exactly used this one...yet

What's the difference between books?

Well for one this one is more expensive comparatively because it's a hardcover and has a lot more fancy pictures. Another thing is that has less information then the other one. It only lists information like tasting notes,parts used, buying and storage, harvesting, and culinary uses.

Other books by the author

The Cook's Book: Techniques and tips from the world's master chefs

Teas and Tisanes

101 Essential Tips: Cooking with Spices

Aromatic Herbs: How to Use Them in Cooking and Seasoning Foods 

Price Range

$10 - 25 

The "Other" Bible

Spice and Herb Bible

By: Ian Hemphill 
with recipes by Kate Hemphill

Should you use it religiously?

Yes

This book is very very cool and is fantastically accurate and fun to look at! You should use it as you would the actual bible.

No 

Wait, why would say no? Why are you even reading this blog? 

What is it useful for?

Defining 

This books really helps you nail on what spice your using and what it's all about. It practically defines to a point on where you will have no questions after you read all the information on just one spice. They even include recipes for each and every spice in the book!

Finding

Looking for a new way to flavor your food? Well this book is perfect for that. It has literally over 100 spices and herbs for you to find while reading it. Not only does it help you find new herbs and spices it gives you pictures and great descriptions. 

Discovering

Honestly looking through this book I guarantee you will find a spice or an herb that you have never ever ever heard of in your entire life! I mean sure it has all the common one, but it really opens up a new world for you. For every spice/herb it gives you it's botanical name, family name, names in other languages, flavor group, weight per teaspoon, suggested quantity per pound and even complements to that spice/herb. And that's not even all the information it gives you about one!

Other books by the author

The Spice and Herb Bible: A Cook's Guide
Herbaceous
Spice Notes
Spicery: A Cook's Guide to Culinary Spices

Price Range

$10- 20

The Ultimate Culinary Book

The Flavor Bible

A peek inside:

What is it?

The whole book is about pairing food with other foods and what goes well with what. So you don't get stuck with trying to pair yogurt with mustard, you'll know in advance that it is not good! It basically lists all the pairings for a food item for example Raspberries go with almonds, apricots, blackberries and so on and so forth. The authors also took the time to list flavor affinities to name the flavors/foods that go especially well together. In addition to this they also list the season of the flavor, taste, weight, volume or even techniques to enhance this flavor.

Why use it?

Pairing 

This book tells you all their is to know about what flavors go together. And honestly I don't think there is a flavor that it misses. Look up any flavor or food your thinking of pairing and you can see what's best with it; and I guarantee that you'll find it.

Inspiration

Buying this book gave me inspiration for many dishes (that I have yet to create), but eventually will. But I really have to say just skimming through this fantastic book really inspires me to get off the couch and cook something! Now where to find the time....

Culinary School

I know I've said this a few times in the past, but being in culinary school you really need ideas and some ideas you can't always pull out from your butt. This book was recommended to me from one of my first instructors and even after I bought it they kept recommending it. This book was especially helpful if needed to come up with a dish fast. I can even remember bringing it everyday to school just in case I needed it.

Other Books by the Authors

Becoming a Chef

Culinary Artistry

Dining Out

Chef's Night Out

*What to Drink with What you Eat

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

* = This is very similar to the flavor bible

Price Range

$20 - 30

Check This Out!

2 Inspirational Cooking Blogs

RecipeGirl.com

 Dishing out the Best Recipes for Entertaining and Everyday!

Oh no! It's already Summer and you've got nothing to do! What will you do with your time? Hiking? Camping? Sleeping? Or would you rather cook? Well I guarantee that if your look at this blog you aren't looking to do anything else but cook. If you check out this blog you can find daily ideas on something delicious to make. Need a good recipe for the best ribs in your neighborhood? Need a good recipe for Marconi salad? Not only does she has amazing pictures on her blog, she also has occasional giveaways. Then check this blog out! Here is just a few pictures from her website.

The Kitchn

Inspiring cooks, nourishing homes

On a budget? Craving something sweet? Or just searching for more recipes online? Then this is the place is to go! They have videos, lots of recipes for both food and drink and even kitchen advice! This website is very organized and is guaranteed to inspire even the boring people to get up and cook! They have a lot of articles/ recipes for how to ideas or something like how to cook tender and juicy pork chops. And if you not convinced to visit it yet here just a sneak peek. 

Recipes the internet gave us for a reason

You have got to see these!

My Top 5 Internet recipes for your Sweet Tooth

1.Buttermilk Strawberry Shortcake

Fresh, juicy strawberries on a crispy crunchy shortcake all topped with luscious whip cream!

 

2. Blueberry-Lemon Crumb Bars

Yummy blueberries nestled in a crumbly top.

3. Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Melt in your mouth chocolate peanut butter cups molded with crunchy cookie.

4. Coconut Macaroon Brownies

Regular brownies with a delicious coconut macaroon mixture in between. 

5. Pretzel Turtles

Easy milky chocolate pecan desserts, commonly called Turtles for their resemblance to the animal.

Another 5 recipes just for Summer!

1. Fruit Salad

Perfect for a hot summer evening or just when your craving fresh fruit!

2. Just for Summer Salsa

A sweet salsa with spice and a surprising tang!

2. Summer Squash Puffs

A corn bread like deep fried squash fritter.

3. Garlic Potatoes Gratin  

This rich and cheesy dish is sure to entice and amaze!

4. Barbecue Pork

Melt in your mouth pork shoulder slow cooked with lots of spices

5. Fruit and Feta Summer Salad

A perfect salad for cheese and fruit lovers alike.

My Favorite Dictionary

The New Food Lover's Companion; Fifth Addition

By: Sharon Tyler Herbst and Ron Herbst

Why do you NEED it?

Curiosity? 

Haven't you at some time in your life be curious about something related to cooking? Say you wanted to look up what thyme was? Or Barbecuing? This book helps with just that! It gives you the chance to discover more of the culinary world.

Culinary School??

And I'm sure if you have been or are in culinary school you at time have just not been able to quite figure out what something is. You think and think and think, but you just can't quite get your finger on it. Just being able to have something else as a reference or go to (besides your notes) is very helpful!

Interested in Food? 

Maybe you just have some interest in food and want to know more? Well your in luck, this book will compel you further pursue this interest. I know that when I'm at the book store any book that is about anything I'm even mildly interested in I will check it out!

Other Books by the Authors

Breads

Desserts-Sensational

The Joy of Cookies

Dictionary of Cooking Terms
The Wine Lover's Companion
The Cheese Lover’s Companion

Prices

$10.69 Rakuten.com
$12.57 Barnes and Nobles
$12.01 Amazon Books

How to Approach a Book without scaring it

The First Five Things I do Before I buy a Book

1.Double check I don't already have it

It's always good to check through your mind. Or double check your library at home before you leave the house. Make sure you know what books you have or don't have because I know how easy it is to forget.

2.Check out the description of the book  

I  like to read it because it gives me a general idea of what I'm about to get into. It also lets me decide whether I'm even mildly interested in it. It saves you a least a couple of minutes so you can use those minutes on other things in your life. If not to read the books you already use. 

       

3.Read the author's bio

Sometimes when I know it's the author of some previous books I've read I like to check out how he/she has written this new book. But even when it's a new author I like to discover more about them so I can possibly predict on how their writing might sound. 

4.Look at the Table of Contents 

Reading this also gives a general idea of what your about to read. It gives you the opportunity to skip to a certain chapter a skim to see if he/she is explaining something you don't already.  

5.Read a couple of pages

Finally I start to read the first few pages or maybe even the first chapter to decide whether I really want this book or not. Sometimes the author just ends up being so boring or creepy I set it down immediately!