Holli Thompson

In My… Kitchen Bookshelf

 
When I entertain, I love to spend time going through my favorite cookbooks, or food websites, checking out what looks good. Fresh. Attainable. Beautiful to look at. Simple to make. 

Food excites me. Recipes delight me.

Since my family and friends include all three Nutritional Styles; Healthy Omnivore, Flexible Vegetarian, and Modern Vegan, it’s a good thing I love all types of cooking. As a lifetime collector of cookbooks, I have many in my collection to chose from. I’m inspired by the seasons; I love simple, pure, light foods in spring, bright, colorful, cleansing foods in summer, warming, spicy foods in fall, and slow-cooking comfort foods in winter. 

This list is by no means complete, but it’s a start. 
Here are the books that I’m loving, right now. 

1. Home Made by Yvette Van Boven
A food stylist and recipe writer, Van Boven lives in Paris and Amsterdam, and her european sophistication and interesting, but homey flavor combinations make this gorgeous book a winner. Perfect for the Healthy Omnivore looking for inspiration. 

2. Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson 
Swanson is a food blogger, and her 2007 book is particularly suited to grain and veggie loving Flexible Vegetarians. 
I love Heidi’s philosophy, pantry, and gorgeous photos. 

3. Cooking with the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta by Szekely and Schneider
Having visited the gardens and cooked at Rancho La Puerta’s cooking school, this book holds a special place on my shelf. Simple ingredients and freshness contribute to this eating style, with something for everyone. 

4. Simply Organic by Jesse Ziff Cool
A seasonal cookbook from a locavore foodie, Cool offers family recipes for Healthy Omnivores looking to 
get even healthier. 

5. Babycakes by Erin McKenna
For you baker-babes, McKenna figured out how to make vegan delicious. Her bakery in NYC is a jewel. I might suggest 
substituting coconut sugar for agave, but other than that, I love my baby cakes cupcakes! Great for all Nutritional Styles. 

6. Candle 79 by Pierson, Ramos, and Pineda
No matter what your style of eating is, Candle 79 in NYC is a supurb restaurant. Their comprehensive cookbook offers choices best suited for Flexible Vegetarians and Modern Vegans alike—but hold back on the seitan and tofu, please. 

7. Veganomicon by Moskowitz and Romero 
A classic vegan cookbook, this is loaded with many basics, and not too many pictures. I’ve learned a lot from this book, and it’s scope of recipes keeps it on my shelf. 

8. Raw Food, Real World by Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis
Sarma owns my favorite restaurant in NYC, Pure Food and Wine, and her first book with Kenney is a modern raw food bible. Although some dishes are complicated to prepare, I’ve spent days locked in my test-kitchen with this book—willingly, happily.

Did I mention Sarma hosted me as a guest chef one evening? Observing, helping a little. It was a Modern Vegan dream come true.

9. Clean Food by Terry Walters
Along with healthy recipes, Walters gives advice on improving your holistic health. Her clean and seasonal recipes are perfect for Flexible Vegetarians and Modern Vegans. 

Some favorites not pictured:

10. The Smitten Kitchen by Sarah Forte, is a gorgeous book that’s sure to inspire you to eat healthier, and make it look pretty too. Seasonal recipes for all eating styles. 

11. Crazy, Sexy Kitchen by Kris Carr with Chad Sarno, offers mouthwatering plant based recipes that are guaranteed to please, and fellow wellness warrior, Kris Carr, has a breezy, fun writing style. I love this book and Kris too.

12. Plentyby Yotam Ottolenghi, is from one of London’s top foodie chefs featuring vegetarian recipes that are Mediterranean in flavor, and creatively fun. 

13. It’s all Good by Gwyneth Paltrow with Julia Turshen, features Gwynnie’s upscale but down-to-earth life and eating style. I love this book for it’s ease and common sense way to cooking. 

14. Vegetable Literacy by Deborah Madison, is an award winning feast for the eyes if you love vegetables and plants. This collection of recipes explores new ways to cook some of your favorite veggie crushes. Grab this. 

15. Giada’s Feel Good Food: My Healthy Recipes and Secrets/strong> by Giada DeLaurentiis, a a fun look into Giada’s life, complete with an adorable child and husband. I love some of her simple recipes made healthy for this book, and the beautiful photography shows a lifestyle you can hope to emulate.