New Cookbooks!

I love a good cookbook. Besides being full of delicious recipes, they can also provide inspiration and promote the addition of new techniques and skills to one's repertoire. With that said, I received some wonderful cookbooks (along with lots of other foodie gifts) as Christmas and birthday presents. Below I've listed three that I think would be good additions to anyone's shelf, but also fill niches that can be difficult to address. I'm going to post a review of each after I get a chance to cook through them a bit. I'll try to work though one at a time, but they all look so amazing I might have to skip around just a little bit.

1. Moosewood Restaurant New Classics

This is one of twelve cookbooks from the Moosewood restaurant, located in Ithaca, New York.  Established in 1973, they have been leaders in vegetarian cuisine, taking inspiration from familiar favorites as well as international dishes. With a menu that is always changing, they have an extensive collection of recipes at their finger tips. The recipes in each book are tested not only in their kitchens, but in the restaurant itself, ensuring only the best make the cut. Whether you are a strict vegetarian or just looking for new nutritious and delicious recipes, this book is for you.

2. Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson

Heidi Swanson is the author of one of the most popular food blogs, 101 Cookbooks  (a great recipe resource). In this, her second cookbook, she presents some of her favorite recipes that she uses again and again in her everyday life. Besides being vegetarian, her recipes emphasize a natural, whole-foods approach with delectable results. If you want a little taste, the book's website includes a sample of 6 recipes from the book that you can download for free (just click the picture above).

3. The Soul of a New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa by Marcus Samuelsson

Ever since going to a local Ethiopian restaurant I've been on the hunt for a good Ethiopian/African cookbook. I'm hoping this will be the one. Written by Marcus Samuelsson, a revered chef of Ethiopian descent, this cookbook not only features authentic and African-inspired recipes, but also includes beautiful photos of food and people. It could seriously sit on your coffee table with no questions asked.

Do any of these sound like the cookbook you've been looking for? Is there a favorite cookbook you turn to again and again? Let me know in the comments below!