summer reading

With the tremendous success of the foodie movie, Ratatouille, kids may be disappointed by a cookbook that dumbs down cooking with vegetable faces and cookie cutter shaped sandwiches.

However Alice Waters' children's cookbook is written from the point of view of her daughter Fanny. Fanny At Chez Panisse is the perfect tome for a child who has shown interest in the culinary world. The book begins with Fanny describing her mother's world inside the famed kitchen at Berkeley's Chez Panisse and includes the people who are a part of the daily workings of a restaurant. Later Fanny provides recipes to 46 of her favorite dishes ranging from peach crisp to roast chicken with herbs to garlic mayonnaise — all of which are delicious enough to be enjoyed by both children and parents alike. If you know a child who is interested in learning more about food, think about giving them this delicious book.

Now that you've got the 411 on the history of sugar, I thought I'd introduce you to the history of salt. In addition to being a vehicle for how salt is harvested through the ages, Mark Kurlansky's Salt: A World History, is also a history of how salt is linked to culture, food prep and government. Most of us take salt for granted, but in the past it was certainly crucial to survival. It allowed people to preserve food for consumption during the long winter months, and was so valuable it actually acted as currency.

Overall it is a well researched book, sprinkled with amusing anecdotes and fascinating tidbits. If you're interested in food, it's definitely worth the read.

A cross between a dictionary and a coffee table book, this reference guide, Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines Of Italy, is an excellent addition to any wine lover's collection. Written by Mario Batali's business partner, Joseph Bastianich & co author David Lynch, the book introduces each region of Italy detailing not only the wine, but significant wineries, recent successful vintages, and delicious native recipes. The authors write in a highly personal manner making this book as much about wine commentary as it is about living an authentic Italian lifestyle. It also advocates eating and drinking locally, claiming that the best regional wines pair with traditional dishes from that specific region. If you love wine, or have a passion for Italy, this comprehensive book is highly recommended reading.

This week's candy explosion made me realize it was high time I told you about a book I received a few years ago. My pal Jeff knew I had a thing for candy, and so he presented me with Tim Richardson's Sweets: A History of Candy.

In what can only be called an extraordinary view of candy through the ages, Richardson opens the doors to candy's sordid history. Along the way we look at various cultures, what they eat and why. While it is definitely an engaging read, I must warn you that it is not a recipe book, nor is it a coffee table book, it is most certainly a history book. In fact, some of the passages even read like text books, with lengthy descriptions and lots of intricate details. However, if you are interested in candy, sweets, world culture or anthropology, this book is certainly a fascinating read.

I'm not afraid to admit that I love Martha Stewart. I know a lot of people don't like her, but I've always been a fan of her do it yourself ways. The first time I came across this book, Martha Stewart's Hors D'oeuvres Handbook, I was actually at a very chic dinner party in New York City. I was browsing the host's collection of cookbooks and immediately fell in love with this one. It covers everything: homemade crackers, millions of dips, toasts with every topping imaginable, puff pastry with a bajillion fillings, and so on. I was so engrossed with looking at this book that my friends had to rip it from my hands and drag me back to the party. No worries though, I haven't forgotten it and it's on my birthday list. If you're all about hosting parties — like moi, PartySugar — this is a must have for your collection.

Tomorrow's the last day to participate!!!

Get your pictures in now! Read below to find out how you can be included in the roundup!

This month is all about summer reading here at YumSugar. We're talking about our favorite cookbooks, our favorite books about food, and books that just make us think of food. I don't know about you, but we have books in our collection that we just can't live without. For me it's Baking Illustrated by the editors of Cook's Illustrated Magazine. For PartySugar it's Williams-Sonoma's The Bar Guide by Ray Foley. We've both taken pictures with our favorite cookbooks and now we want you to do the same! So go ahead and take a picture of you with your favorite cookbook (or book that relates to food, drink or entertaining) and send it on over.

You can use the Look Book feature on TeamSugar, or post it in a blog or on your own website. When everyone's submitted their photos (due date: August 24), I'll do a giant post featuring everyone's pics (and you don't have to cover your face, we're just shy!)!

To be included in the roundup, notify me via email (yumsugar@gmail.com) or PM by August 24 with the following information:

- Name you want me to use
- Where you're from
- What book you chose
- Link to your look book, blog post or website OR photo of you holding your favorite cookbook
- One short sentence on why you chose that book

Can't wait to see your fave cookbooks!

Before Ruth Reichl was the editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, she held a six year stint as the restaurant critic for the New York Times. That period of her life is detailed in her third memoir, Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, which is a fun and enjoyable read. Reichl had what some considered to be the best gig in town, but instead of just allowing herself to be wined and dined, she took her job quite seriously and would often create elaborate disguises to ensure anonymity. Her disguises often included wigs, makeup, thiftstore duds, glasses and even credit cards in other names. Sometimes she was Brenda, an auburn aging hippie, other times she was Chloe, a blonde divorcée. Her writing is hilarious and refreshing, and always mouth-watering — you'll put the book down only to realize your belly is fully rumbilng.

If you'd rather know a bit more about Reichl, you can always begin with Tender at the Bone or Comfort Me with Apples.

I love cookbooks that provide provocative recipes as well as interesting information. In The Great American Camping Cookbook, Scott Cookman — funny last name for a cookbook author, right? — teaches you how to make cornmeal blueberry biscuits while giving you a history lesson on traditional American camp food. He encourages you to embrace outdoor cooking over an open fire via classic recipes like campfire potatoes, pan-fried trout, and bean soup. He also lists important staples, most forgotten ingredients, and warming cocktail recipes. If you are an avid camper who enjoys cooking, be sure to check out Cookman's book.

A few years ago my friends Niki and Leon hosted a delicious dinner at their home. Instead of slaving over the kitchen themselves, they decided to hire a "touring chef."

As a former punk/hardcore rocker, chef Joshua Ploeg was familiar with the ways of the road. However instead of touring with his band he's now touring with his knives and has been taking his tasty treats on the road since 1998 — winning over audiences one dish at a time. His specialty is dinner parties, but he also does demos and classes. If you've ever wanted to host a memorable dinner party — and it really doesn't get much more memorable than a touring former hardcore punk rocker turned vegetarian chef catering a full dinner in your home — then look him up and see if he's headed to a town near you.

He does primarily tasty vegan treats, however he has been known to dabble in butter and can prepare full vegetarian meals as well. If you think a vegetarian dinner can't be fantastic, I'll put an end to your cynicism by saying that it was absolutely wonderful — in fact two non-vegetable eating pals also loved the meal.

If he's not headed to a town near you, you can bring his ideas home instead. Over the last few years, Ploeg has self-published several vegan cookbooks including Something Delicious This Way Comes and Twelve Knights In My Kingdom, which contain things like anise tea cookies, breaded eggplant in spicy garlic sauce, ginger stick salad, and a delectable fried orange bread with coconut relish and orange sugar.

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Under The Tuscan Sun is a wonderfully written book that beautifully illustrates author Frances Mayes' love for Tuscany. In it she describes the experiences, mishaps, and adventures that occur when she purchases and renovates a house in Italy. Much of the prose is full of such detailed and lush food descriptions that I wanted to buy a plane ticket to Tuscany. Included are recipes to many authentic, Italian dishes, such as chicken with basil and a lemon/peach tart with mascarpone. The book is a bit like going on an Italian vacation and it's not much like the movie, so if you haven't read it check it out.

Also it's worth noting that Mayes currently produces an artisan olive oil made from hand-picked olives from her villa and named for her house Bramasole.