This year I am presenting you with not one, but TWO gift guides. First up: cookbooks. I get a lot of questions about my favorite cookbooks. I have accumulated a lot of books, but there are only a handful that I return to again and again. These are those books and they would be wonderful gifts for anyone who cares about food.

No meat, no more! Or at least much less meat. I am super tired of this animal trend that seems to get more and more intense with every restaurant opening. I like vegetables and these two books are full of them: The Vegetarian Option by Simon Hopkinson [Gorgeous book, I love cooking from it.] and Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi [Also gorgeous, featuring recipes form his column in The Guardian]

Pastry Hall of Fame: These are the three cookbooks I use most often and the three most important books in terms of my development as a home baker.  The Last Course by Claudia Fleming with Melissa Clark [This is out of print, so try to find a used copy. It is an incredible book], Tartine by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson  [Everything I have ever made from this book has been delicious, it is inspiring and so good looking], and Good to the Grain by Kim Boyce [Blew my mind. Baking with whole grains is sexy!]

New releases: A lot of really special books were released in 2010, but these are my favorites: Heart of the Artichoke by David Tanis [Sometime I find his style a little precious, but this book seems spot on-makes me want to cook], Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan [Honestly, every book Dorie has written could go on this list.] and My Sweet Mexico by Fany Gerson [ This book really surprised me with its beauty and irresistible recipes.] read more+++

This is going to be quick because I have house guests to prepare for and a big meal to cook. I present the perfect pancake recipe. It is the only pancake recipe I will ever need and just happens to be made with 100% whole grains, thanks to the fabulous Kim Boyce. Nutritious pancakes that taste better than any I have had in the past—what more can you ask for? I’ll be making these this weekend for my friends, they are especially delicious with some bacon and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. The fact that these are whole grain means they can be a regular at your breakfast table. read more+++

So, you have made your beautiful quince pie and have a cup or two of poaching liquid left over (I ended up with 1 3/4 cups). It would be unforgivable for you to pour it down the drain. What to do? Have a drink! The poaching liquid was too beautiful and fragrant for me to ignore, so I decided to invent a cocktail. This is a good idea for any future leftover poaching liquid (pear tarts?). All you need to do is strain the liquid into a jar and keep it in the refrigerator until ready to use. read more+++

The quince is a beautiful fruit. The astringent cousin of apples and pears, it requires cooking to make it palatable. Cooking also magically turns the apple-like white flesh, to a ruby red/pink color. Ta-da! Quince are in season right now and it is a perfect time to try this beautifully perfumed fruit (it is one of my favorite smells!). The most common kitchen application is to make a jam or paste, which is delicious alongside a slice of salty cheese, like Manchego. But quince also find their way into baked goods like this biscuit pie.

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I don’t really know how or when Ina Garten became a cultural icon, but somewhere along the way she became Camp. I guess it was her television show that introduced Garten and her Hamptons world to everyone.  A recent episode of 30 Rock poked fun at her relationship with her husband, Jeffrey, confirming (for me) that she is different than the other celebrity cooks. It is all sort of amusing and confusing to me.

Like many of you, I’ve been cooking with Ina Garten for years. Some of my favorite recipes come from her cookbooks (including my all-time favorite lasagna). She adds to her collection of books this month with the release of How Easy is That? (see!, she even has a catchphrase!). read more+++