Let's be honest: if you see one more recipe for herb-roasted turkey with classic gravy, you might trade your oven mitts for takeout menus. This Thanksgiving, why not shake things up? Whether you're cooking for a crowd that's tired of tradition, navigating dietary restrictions, or simply ready to surprise your taste buds, these unconventional cookbooks prove that gratitude and great food don't have to come with the same menu your great-grandmother made.
From global flavors that reimagine the harvest feast to creative approaches for small gatherings, minimalist kitchens, or plant-based tables, these books will help you create a Thanksgiving that's memorable for all the right reasons. So put down that can of cranberry sauce (or don't, we're not judging) and discover some fresh inspiration for the holiday table.
Spiced with exquisite works from the African American art collection that hangs in the restaurant’s dining room, this cookbook pairs the flavors of Leah Chase’s dishes with anecdotes recounting the restaurant’s traditions, origins of the recipes, and memories. This revised and expanded edition presents even more of the restaurant’s favorite offerings and features a new chapter on drinks. Dooky Chase’s longtime chef and proprietor passed away in 2019, but these pages honor Leah’s legacy through recipes and sentiments that will be forever intertwined with the history of New Orleans.
New England may say it's the Great American Pie Belt, but pie has a rich and varied history in the American Midwest too. Stop by any church or community event in the heartland today and you're likely to see as many types of pie on the dessert table as there are people who made them. Midwest Pie highlights the treats, both sweet and savory, that have come to define this region. Here, you'll learn about bean pie's origins in the Nation of Islam, the popularity of desperation pies during the Depression, how Michigan miners ate lunch pasties in the mines, and much more. Full of accessible instructions and helpful sidebars, Midwest Pie is the perfect collection for any home chef looking to learn more about the diversity and deliciousness of one of the region's most enduring culinary contributions.
Southern Breads
The warmth of the oven and the smell of fresh-baked bread conjure comforting memories of tradition and place. Aside from being a staple on every table in the South, these breads and their recipes detail the storied history of the region. Biscuits emerged from Native American and European traditions. Cornbread, with its vast variety, is a point of debate among Southerners over which recipe yields the most delicious results. The hushpuppy, developed possibly to quiet whining dogs, is a requirement for any true catfish or barbecue meal. Author Chris Holaday and top culinary instructor Marilyn Markel offer the mouthwatering history, famous recipes and heartwarming stories of Southerners in their kitchens.
From Kentucky ’Nanners Foster Waffles to ’Lasses-Glazed Carrots to Sweet Tea and Bourbon Fried Chicken, celebrate the art of “Country Bling” cooking with recipes that will have you digging out the cast-iron skillet and running to the store for some butter. Complete with colorful descriptions, accessible ingredients, simple directions, and helpful tips, this book will teach you everything you need to know about cooking with love. Kentucky born and bred, Lord Honey Chef Jason Smith honors his roots and, at the same time, refashions cherished classics. Enjoy beloved Southern traditions and odes to the homespun—dishes always perfect just the way Granny did it—but with a twist. Some of these recipes have won awards, and others haven’t made it to the competition yet, but all of them are just right for a sit-down with family and friends.
When supplies were limited and the workday arduous, black coffee with leftover cornbread might serve as breakfast. Today's bounty and life's relative ease bring mornings with lattes and biscotti, biscuits and sausage gravy. What's on the plate has changed, but our heritage infuses who we are. As we follow the path laid out by gastronomic pioneers, this culinary quest, guided by sixth-generation Cracker Joy Sheffield Harris, will whet your appetite with recipes and sumptuous reflections. Pull up a chair and dig in.
From mountain streams in the west to rolling prairies in the east, Montana's habitats and natural resources offer an abundance of culinary possibilities. The mountains provide the necessities for a delightful elk tenderloin with huckleberry demi-glace, while the prairie contributes to rattlesnake cakes with roasted red pepper remoulade. And gardens and farms statewide produce the makings of Aunt Lois O'Toole's rhubarb strawberry pie. Chef Barrie Boulds and author Jean Petersen present locally sourced epicurean dishes that exude Montanan charm. Historical context enhances seventy-five easy yet sophisticated recipes celebrating unique flavors and heritage—with forewords from Chef Eric Trager and Western Ag Reporter editor Linda Grosskopf.
