Books for the Chef in Your Life

Basic French cooking, gusty Spanish flavors, creativity, and a lot of love are Leon Soniat's ingredients for la bouche Creole (the Creole mouth). Interwoven with the recipes are the author's recollections of New Orleans and of cooking with his memere (grandmother) and mamete (mother).

In South Louisiana, food is more than just sustenance. It is a way to bring friends and family together and it connects us to our history and our culture. Few places are more tied to these culinary roots than Louisiana's River Parishes, which stretch along the levees of the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Here the many cultures and diverse people who call the area home--Cajun, Creole, German, French, Spanish, African, and Native American--have mingled to produce a rich tradition of harvesting the largesse that Louisiana provides all year long. That abundance is crafted it into delectable dishes by the families who have cultivated these lands for generations.
Chef Jarred Zeringue celebrates this seasonal bounty in this approachable guide to Cajun cooking. Featuring the flavors and culture he learned alongside his mother, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles, Jarred offers an intimate window into how his family--like so many in Louisiana's River Parishes--cook from the land, using the freshest ingredients in a lifestyle that embodies the farm to table philosophy. With nearly 90 recipes divided by the seasons, Jarred shares the traditional tastes of his childhood, with an emphasis on the smoked meats for which his smokehouse is renowned.

"THE INFINITE FEAST is a fun guide to graciously hosting loved ones. Brian Theis does a great job melding his innate Southern Charm with experience gained from travel and time abroad. His book will be a welcome addition to people who enjoy sharing food and drink with friends." - Jacques Pépin

Author Brian Theis presents a well-rounded cookbook that takes us back to the mid-twentieth century and the foods that fed the nation's craving for comfort and world travel. In seasonal chapters from New Year's to the winter holidays, he provides curated and themed menus, easy to follow recipes, and kitchen tips. From casseroles and comfort foods, a Mardi Gras Jamboree, and a Polynesian Luau to a Goblin Feast and Thanksgiving Bons Temps Rouler, the dishes are just as delicious as they are picturesque! Interviews with celebrity chefs and restaurateurs, including Gabriele Corcos, Billy Oliva, JoAnn Clevenger, and Phillip Lopez, and a tribute to Leah Chase round out the offerings in this gift-worthy cookbook!

Author and culinary historian Poppy Tooker combines family photographs, stories, and recipes from Pascal's Manale into a collection that is much more than a cookbook.
Tooker's exploration into the storied Uptown restaurant, one of the "jewels in New Orleans' culinary crown," reveals the history of the family behind it and their influence on the city's culinary culture. In contrast to the chef driven French dishes of the Creoles, Sicilian cuisine came straight from mama's kitchen just as the signature dishes on the tables of this beloved eatery. A bastion of Italian cuisine in New Orleans, recipes for Pascal's Manale's best-known dishes, including their famous barbequed shrimp, stuffed artichokes, and meatballs have fed their fans for over a century!

This compendium of crawfish information offers biological facts and scores of home-style recipes. The Louisiana seafood industry--past and present--is discussed and a fascinating essay about a day in the life of a crawfisher is included. Jerald Horst has worked in the seafood industry and he and his wife have collected and tested crawfish recipes for decades. From the birth of the crawfish industry in the 1800s to present-day obstacles to commercial fishing, this encyclopedic cookbook provides an abundance of history as well as recipes, health information, and Louisiana culture. Highlights include the mudbug's popularity explosion in the 1950s, an illustrated guide to peeling the crustacean, and "Four Star" recipes for Crawfish Omelets and Delta Crispy Crawcakes.

Enjoy big Cajun flavors without the guilt!

Forget the myth that because it tastes great, it can’t be good for you. Culinary dietician Shelley Marie Redmond has done all the work and research to marry the authentic and delicious flavors of Louisiana cooking with principles of healthy eating. A list of pantry essentials forms the cornerstone of her plan and offers substitutes for ingredients high in carbohydrates (like Greek yogurt instead of butter). A shopping guide helps you to plan a successful and efficient trip to the grocery store. Recipes for such flavorful dishes as Mardi Gras Mambo Cajun Rice Dressing and Skinny Louisiana Cajun Chicken Pasta let you celebrate the best of Louisiana’s eats without the worry of compromising your health!

 

Shelly Marie Redmond is a culinary dietitian, media personality and founder of the Skinny Louisiana brand. She is a partner in Eberhart Physical Therapy, where she works with clients on food-related issues.

Veteran food columnist and cookbook author Marlyn Monette writes for The Times in Shreveport and is a frequent guest on television cooking programs. She liberally laces her recipes with amusing family stories.

The iconic restaurant famous for "Breakfast at Brennan's" was a Creole favorite and New Orleans staple for decades before its closure in 2013. Now available in paperback, these classic recipes are sprinkled with both family and restaurant history and seasoned with the original illustrations. This collection is a must for everyone with a craving for true New Orleans flavor!

"Honey, if cookin' is a chore, then you ain't been doin' it right."--author and Lord Honey chef Jason Smith 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.

From Lobster Salad to Baked Stuffed Oysters and Crawfish Bisque, this compilation of recipes offers the best of New Orleans cuisine. Chef Lena Richards pulled inspiration from her southern roots and her experience in the catering business, to create delectable dishes. In addition to recipes, this comprehensive cookbook offers menu ideas for both formal and informal dinners.

This second cookbook from Leah Chase not only comes with her famous recipes, but it also contains her reflections on life, business, family, and friends. Now in paperback, the collection includes menus for special events.

For decades, patrons of the quaint Creole restaurant on Saint Peter Street have enjoyed the standards of New Orleans cuisine in one of its most natural settings. Around the corner from Saint Louis Cathedral, half a block from Jackson Square and within sight of the Mississippi River, the mural-walled dining room and tropical garden patio provide the backdrop for the gumbo, etouffée and jambalaya that flow from the kitchen. The word "gumbo" evokes images of black iron kettles, slowly simmering with a mélange of exotic ingredients, skillfully seasoned and crafted for pleasure. It also describes the New Orleans culture. In this book of recipes, peppered with vignettes of local lore, Gumbo Shop shares its culinary traditions for your enjoyment.