Paper Palate

The last time Alton Brown did a book signing in St. Louis, it was a small enough affair to fill Left Bank Books. My friend Allison presented Mr. Brown with a pair of flame-printed potholders she’d made.  He saw her to-go box, asked what was in it, to which Allison’s husband replied, “It’s her leftover […]

Pure Food by Christine Cushing is a book that offers a wide variety of dishes that focus on freshness and flavor. The recipes are straightforward and emphasize using seasonal ingredients in a way that suits them best. The layout is clean and the photos are bright and inviting. The book begins with a shopping, organizing, and produce […]

Okay, I admit it.  I love Top Chef!  Its one of my “must see” TV shows of each week.  I watch for the drama, the cheesy preening of the Cheftestants, the snarky guest judges, Padma’s outfits, and, of course, the food.  The show is in the midst of its fourth season and I can honestly say […]

Have you ever purchased a cookbook that you absolutely had to have right that very minute? Nothing at all could sway you from not buying it. I do that with cooking magazines all the time, but rarely is it that a cookbook catches my attention so much that I buy it immediately without running home […]

Barilla pasta has put together a free downloadable cookbook, Celebrity Italian Table, that is yours for the taking.  Filled with recipes from some of your favorite chefs and celebrities, including renowned chef Mario Batali, entertaining expert David Tutera, American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry, Debra Messing, Natalie Portman, Marisa Tomei, and Stanley Tucci, you’re sure to find something to […]

When my friend J asked if I have been cooking since I was young, or if I just started learning the skill after I got married and settled down in a home away from home.  I laughed and told her it was the latter.
I learn to cook and bake from reading cookbooks, magazines and by watching […]

Let me share with you one of the favorite gifts that I bought myself for my birthday: Classic 30 Minute Meals by none other than Rachael Ray. I love Rachael Ray to begin with, and have many of her books. When I had a television, I really enjoyed watching her shows. I think I only […]

When the copy of Paula Deen’s latest book, “Christmas with Paula Deen” landed on my mailbox, I was surprised by its size. Upon measuring with my ruler, it measures a mere 7.4-inches x 5.2-inches. Petite indeed, compared to the rest of the cookbooks streaming into the market this time of the year.
“Christmas with Paula Deen” is a collection […]

Gifts for the kitchen can easily cross the line, going from a thoughtful gesture to an inappropriate hint.  For the holidays, beautiful cookbooks filled with inspiration should be your theme, leaving the overly practical cookbooks for the domestic chef to acquire on his or her own.  Yet, when purchasing online, or fighting the holiday season […]

Since his days on NBC’s The Restaurant over three years ago, celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito seems to have evolved into a kinder, gentler version of himself, as particularly evidenced by his appearances on Bravo’s Top Chef. Besides keeping the former nasties in check, he has also managed to shed some 30 pounds and has started […]