2013年7月17日星期三

Best wines for your buck

Woman drinking wine

The biggest mistake most people make when buying wines is the assumption that price is the only indicator of taste. Sure, $50-100 bottles will have an exquisite taste, however, that doesn't mean you can't find a wine with just as good a taste and finish for half the price.

Flavorful, robust
wines for cheap

The key to finding a great wine for cheap is to do a bit of research and learn a little about the grapes.

When shopping for a bargain wine in a fine retail store, don't be afraid to consult with the shop owner, the sommelier (wine expert) or person on the floor about great wines for your budget. If the store you frequent doesn't have a wine expert, don't worry! Most of the wines listed below can be found in large scale supermarkets and franchised stores, like Total Wine. For more personalized recommendations and a vast selection of bargain wines, visit wine.com.

Red wines

Red wineRobert Mondavi Private Selection Zinfandel, about $16. This red wine can be found at almost every store in the country and is widely known as a quality product for cheap. This wine, which has the dark fruity flavors and an almost clove spice finish typically found in zinfandels, is perfect paired with hearty meat dishes, like beef stew or succulent steak.

Columbia Crest Shiraz & Merlot, $8-12. This world renowned vineyard located in Washington has been receiving awards and accolades for years, including the producer of the best wine in the world in 2009 by Wine Spectator. The merlot and shiraz reflect the winery's craftsmanship with robust spice and fruit flavors and an almost velvety finish. Pair these dry, heavier red wines with lighter meats, like lamb and duck or with hearty vegetables like mushrooms and eggplant.

Porca de Murca Douro, about $6. This red wine is an absolute steal and has the flavor, texture and personality of a wine three times its price. This rich red, grown in Portugal, is a blend of Port grapes, so it has the cherry flavor associated with many ports with an almost earthy, smooth finish. Pair this with pot roast and root vegetables or any other strong flavored meats.

Llama Malbec, about $12. Malbecs have recently surged in popularity among foodie circles and chefs, and there's no surprise why. This bargain red wine is known for a lower price tag and almost violety taste. This aromatic wine smells like roasted coffee beans and spices, but has a velvety taste of blackberries and oak. Pair this with more sour dishes, like sweet and sour chicken.

White wines

Ravines Dry Riesling, about $16. Another finisher on Wine Spectator's top 100 wines of 2011, this drier riesling has a crisp, apple finish and an almost citrus, lime character that is hard to find in most drier sweet wines. This riesling is produced in upstate New York, where conditions are similiar to that found in most German riesling vineyards. To find this white wine, you'll have to put yourself on a waiting list due to overwhelming popularity. This wine is great paired with Asian flavored food.

White wine2010 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, about $22. Although this white wine is a little over $20, it's well worth the slightly higher price tag. This bottle, named one of the top 100 wines in the world for 2011, is full of citrusy flavors and a pure and smooth finish. With each sip, you'll taste peach, lime and almost floral elements. This sweet, light and refreshing wine is best paired with light summery dishes, like salads and chilled soups.

Logan Chardonnay, about $16. This white wine hails from California and has the buttery finish and sweet fruit flavor found in the best chardonnays. This particular chardonnay has almost a sweet, honey smell and is fermented in an oak cellar, giving it just a hint of oak flavor and smell. Pair this chardonnay with soft cheeses, like Brie and goat cheese or with tart tomatoes.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling, about $18. Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the most popular wineries in Columbia Valley, Washington and has a vast selection of amazing wines for under $20. This riesling, which is sweet, tangy and clean, received a Wine Spectator 90 point rating and a Wine Enthusiast 93 point rating for its flavor, finish and price. Pair this sweeter white wine with spicy foods, like Thai, for a great contrast in flavors.

Sparkling wines

Sparking wineRoederer Estate Brut, about $18. This top rated wine (rated over 90 percent by the biggest wine publications in the U.S.), is the perfect blend of dry and fruity with a rich, almost cinnamon like flavor. Pair this popular sparkler with rich fruity desserts, like creme brulee, baked apple pie or creamy baked pear.

Mum Napa Brut Rose, about $18. This sparkly wine, made from ripe pinot noir grapes and a hint of chardonnay, has delicious black cherry and strawberry notes, as well as a very elegant finish. In addition, this wine received top marks from Wine.com. Made in Napa Valley, this sparkling, yet robust, wine is perfectly paired with a variety of foods, like crisp gingerbread cookies and even Thai food! Now you can enjoy amazing wine all for under $20.

Juve Y Camps Rose Brut Cava, about $20. This sweet, rose brut hails from Spain and is full of floral and berry flavors. Made from pinot noir grapes (which give the wine its rose color) this option has a delicious strawberry aroma and flavor. This rose is best paired with rich custard and ice cream or savory cheeses, like Brie and St. Andre.Santa Margherita Prosecco, about $18. For those longing for a Champagne but don't have the wallet, this prosecco is the next best thing with its fresh, balanced flavor. This prosecco, grown in Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy has a hint of pepper with a very clean, pure finish. Pair a bubbly glass of this with buttery crackers or strawberries.. More on wine

Wine country uncorked
Wine trends: Choosing the best wines
Dessert wines to drink after dinner

2013年7月16日星期二

Thinner thighs 6 Moves to leaner legs

The Figure Method For Thinner ThighsOh, those elusive thin thighs! What we all wouldn't do to have them! Cindy Sites, founder of The Figure Method and owner of Go Figure Fitness Studios, says it’s time to put away the Spanx and put her six best thigh-thinning moves into practice. Yes, you can have enviable ballerina legs – no equipment required. Here’s how.Go Figure

Cindy Sites has heard request after request from her clients looking for long, lean dancer's legs. The classically trained ballerina and former Lotte Berk instructor founded Go Figure and The Figure Method 10 years ago to give clients an effective and fun workout that doesn't require heavy weights or equipment. The Figure Method is a unique hybrid of yoga, Pilates, isometric exercises and classical ballet that tones, strengthens, tightens and lifts.

The secret to thinner thighs

Get off the abductor and adductor machines and use your own body weight to achieve leaner legs. The secret to thinner thighs, according to Sites, is a three-dimensional approach to your lower body movements.

"I view thighs from three directions: front (quadriceps), rear (hamstrings) and outer (gluteus minimus -- that pretty little hollow in the outer seat area)," says the fitness expert. "In order to develop beautifully toned thighs in 3D, I recommend the five leg exercises below, ending with a luxurious stretch to elongate the muscles you've just worked and say hello to beautiful, lengthened thighs!"

6 Moves to thinner thighs

Forward Leg Lift

Forward leg lift

This move, a variation on the ballet battement, tones quadriceps (front of the upper leg) and adductors, which make up the inner thigh area and are one of the weakest muscle groups in a woman's body. The forward leg lift creates muscles that are toned and lengthened, not big and bulky.

Start position: Stand with your back against the ballet barre or chair, stairway bannister, kitchen counter -- basically anywhere you can find balance.

Movement: Extend one leg and lift and lower in a challenging range of motion, toes pointed, 20 times. Flex the foot and do 20 more reps. Switch to the opposite leg and repeat.

Reverse Leg Lift (also known as ballet arabesque)

Reverse leg lift (also known as ballet arabesque)

The reverse leg lift uses the same principle as the forward leg lift, but works the glutes and hamstrings (the back of the upper leg). While doing this exercise, you should feel a contraction in the entire back of the leg, from the glute to the ankle.

Start position: Stand next to the ballet barre, chair or other point of balance, holding lightly with your right hand.

Movement: Bend your left knee slightly and raise the right leg in a challenging range of motion, toes pointed, 20 times. Flex the foot, and do 20 more reps. Switch sides and repeat with the left leg.

 

Ballet First Position (also called plié)

Ballet first position (also called plié)

The plié is arguably the most famous ballet position for a reason: it's a fantastic workout for the entire leg, targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings and glute muscles.

Start position: Squat, heels lifted and touching, knees spread to create a diamond shape between your heels and your pelvis.

Movement: Lift up and down one inch, never moving your rear below your knees. Repeat 20 times. Break for a moment and repeat.

Note: Those with knee sensitivity should opt out of first position and proceed to second position.

Ballet Second Position (also a plie)

Ballet second position (also a plié)

This variation on the plié is a very effective total leg workout. Make sure your heels are lifted (ballet term: relevé) the entire time to feel the full effect.

Start position: Squat with knees facing out, facing your barre or point of balance. Lift your heels and adjust your position until you feel that your leg muscles are fully engaged.

Movement: Hold the position for 60 seconds; or lift yourself up one inch, down one inch, never moving your rear below your knees. Repeat 20 times. Break for a moment and repeat.

Hamstring Press (called a ballet attitude position)

Hamstring press (called a ballet attitude position)

This move is excellent for toning and strengthening the back of the thighs (hamstrings).

Start position: Stand with arms lifted in front of you, one knee slightly bent and the other leg behind you at a 90 degree angle.

Movement: With your toes pointed, lower the leg so that your toe touches the floor, then come back to the 90 degree angle. Repeat 20 times. Break momentarily and repeat 20 more times, with your foot flexed. Then repeat on the opposite leg.

Runner's Lunge

Runner's lunge

After contracting the thigh muscles with the above exercises, it's important to give yourself a great stretch to lengthen the muscle. This position stretches out the back of the leg and thigh and is a perfect way to end a rigorous workout.

Stretch: With your right leg at a 90 degree angle and right foot firmly planted, extend the left leg behind you, being sure to keep your left heel lifted. Fold your arms into a prayer position and hold. Repeat on the opposite leg.

More health and fitness trends

The top 20 fitness trends for 2012
Kettlebell workouts: Why you need to pick up a kettlebell
Full-body fitness trends for the New Year

2013年7月15日星期一

Greek wedge salad recipe

Belly Up To The Salad Bar, At HomeRecreating a commercial salad bar at home is easy, and with a little planning, you can quickly throw together a healthy salad any day of the week.

wedge salad

For a perfectly balanced salad bar (and salad), stock your fridge with an array of fresh, savory, sweet, crunchy, salty and tangy ingredients. Keep ingredients in separate containers, ready to meet for lunch, dinner or snack time.

If packing salads for on the go munching, store salad ingredients in an airtight container with a damp paper towel placed over the fresh vegetables to keep them hydrated; discard the paper towel before enjoying your salad. Pack dressing in a separate container and pour over the salad just before serving.

Ingredients for the perfect salad barSomething fresh: Color is key; choose a variety of colorful raw or fresh vegetables, along with super-charged greens such as spinach or arugula.Something savory: Healthy, lean proteins like tuna, poached chicken breast or beans lightly seasoned will curb your umami craving.Something sweet: Fresh or dried fruit will add sweetness and balance to your salad.Something crunchy: Sunflower seeds, sesame or pumpkin seeds or even crushed whole-grain organic cereals will add crunch and nutrition to your salad.Something salty: A sprinkle of Parmesan or shredded cheddar will add that salty bite, without a lot of sodium.Something tangy: A bright lemony dressing or tangy apple cider vinaigrette will add the zing every salad needs.Greek wedge salad recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:1 large head romaine lettuce1 cup grape tomatoes, cut lengthwise into quarters1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped, 1/4-inch1 small red onion, sliced paper thin1/2 cup Kalamata olives, cut lengthwise into quarters1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil4 teaspoons red wine vinegar1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves, chopped1/4 teaspoon kosher salt1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper1 cup crumbled feta, dividedDirections:
    Trim 1/4-inch from the bottom stem of the romaine and discard. Cut romaine in half, lengthwise. Cut each half in half lengthwise to create four wedges; set aside. In a medium bowl, add tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper. Toss to coat; season with additional salt and pepper to taste.Place each romaine wedge on a serving plate. Spoon 1/4 of the dressed tomato mixture over each salad wedge. Top with 1/4 cup of feta. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Chef's notes:

Lemon juice can be used in place of vinegar. Traditional recipes incorporate green or red bell pepper, and sometimes Greek pepperoncini. Feta is available with vegetable rennet or animal rennet; be sure to check labels if you want to keep it vegetarian.

More salad ideas

3 Sandwich & salad combos for the family
Kid-friendly salad recipes
Filling low carb salads

相关的主题文章:

2013年7月14日星期日

Festive cocktail recipes for the holidays

Cheers To The
Holiday Season!Get ready for a season filled with clinging glasses and parties that go late into the evening. A few holiday cocktails make any party a hit. Offer your guests something unique by trying one of these holiday-inspired spirits.

Woman drinking holiday cocktail

The start of the holiday season likely means that your weekends will be filled with parties from here on out. If you are planning to host one this year, you'll want to add some festive holiday drinks to your menu to impress your guests and make your event sparkle. These three options from Absolut Vodka are refreshing, easy and guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!

Seasons Blingings

This sparkly pink holiday cocktail will fill your event with a touch of class. Toast to a year full of great memories and a new year to cover up any of the bad ones!

Ingredients:1 part Absolut vodka2 parts cranberry juiceChampagneDirections:
    Shake vodka with cranberry juice, and strain into a Champagne flute.Top with chilled Champagne.Garnish with a fresh cranberry.
Holidazzle

This skinny version of the classic Cosmo cocktail recipe will save you over 140 calories which is perfect when you are doing everything in your power to stay trim through the holiday party season. A lighter version is the perfect excuse to have a few.

Ingredients:2 ounces Absolut Citron2-1/2 ounces light cranberry juice1/2 ounce light orange juice1/4 ounce lime juiceLime twist Directions:
    Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass.
    Garnish with a lime twist.
Berry Christmas

Get into the Christmas spirit with a burst of berries. This fruity cocktail recipe will be a crowd pleaser so you might as well make a full pitcher.

Ingredients:3 ounces Absolut Kurant1/2 ounce blueberry syrup6 ounces sodaFrozen berries for garnishDirections:
    Fill a highball glass to the rim with ice cubes.Pour all the ingredients over the ice.Garnish with berries.
More cocktail recipes

10 Holiday cocktail recipes
Dessert cocktails for the holidays
Warm, wonderful autumn cocktails

相关的主题文章:

2013年7月10日星期三

Heart Attack Grill takes its latest victim

Heart Attack Grill

Heart Attack Grill lives up to its name again this week when a woman collapsed in their Las Vegas restaurant. This marks the second person to fall victim to their horrifically caloric food in less than a year.

Another one bites
the dust, er, burger

We told you so

We hate to say I told you so, but we told you so, more than once. A woman in her 40s collapsed while dining on the restaurant's Triple Bypass Burger this week. She was also smoking a cigarette and drinking a margarita. There’s nothing like a little biological karma to get you to start taking care of yourself. The woman is currently recovering.

This comes just two months after a man collapsed in the location and just a year after their 29-year old spokesperson died. The spokesman weighed in at 575 pounds.

Read about the last man who collapsed at Heart Attack Grill >>

Owner Jon Basso prides himself on being honest and having clear warnings posted all over the restaurant. In an interview with the LA Times, he said “We attract an avant-garde clientele -- thrill seekers, risk takers.” He says the woman got exactly what she asked for, but he wishes her a full recovery.

Heart Attack Grill Burger

Eat at your own risk

Business is still booming for the admittedly unhealthy restaurant despite the negative press associated with the establishment. In a restaurant where the owner is dressed as a cardiologist and the menu items are named after serious medical conditions, it seems as if the warnings are more than just a pun. If you value your health, you may want to think twice before dining on 10,000 calorie burgers.

Should Heart Attack Grill be held liable? >>

If risk taking is what you are craving, we suggest sky diving or swimming with sharks. In fact, even running in traffic might be better for your health. But if massive coronary failure is on your bucket list, by all means stop in for a burger and don’t forget to order the fries that are cooked in pure lard.

Want to be risky? Add some hot sauce to this veggie burger recipe >>More food news

Free kid's meal at Olive Garden on April 26
Is sugar toxic?
Will food with GMOs get special labels?

Photo credits: Heart Attack Grill

2013年7月5日星期五

Can wearing a bra cause breast cancer

To Wear Or Not To WearIt's been going around the rumor mill (for years) that wearing a bra, especially an underwire bra, has links to breast cancer. While many people believe this idea to be true, many scientists and research professionals alike have dispelled this notion as false and break it down to exactly what it is -- a rumor!

Woman wearing bra in doctor's office

Underwire bras under fire for breast cancer

The concept that bras may cause breast cancer actually started with a 1995 book called Dressed to Kill by Sydney Ross Singer and Soma Grismaijer. This book claimed that women who wear underwire bras for 12 hours a day have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who don't wear bras.

The authors go on to explain that its caused by bras restricting the lymph system, which results in a build-up of toxins in the breast. Crazy, right? Yes, according to the American Cancer Society, which says there is no evidence of lymph node compression by bras. In reality, body fluid travels up to the lymph nodes, not to the underwire. Perhaps these authors didn't study their anatomy very well, and suffice it to say that Singer and Grismaijer's evidence isn't quite factual.

New findings and treatments for breast cancer >>Dr. Susan Love's Breast BookThe uncertainty of breast cancer causes fear

Countering Singer and Grismaijer, Dr. Susan Love wrote in her Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book that the idea of cancer coming from bras actually originates from the human desire to explain areas of life in which we have a lot of uncertainty and fear. Simply put, people are looking for something to blame, therefore hoping that if they avoid wearing a bra they can avoid breast cancer.

10 things we didn't know about breast cancer 10 years ago >>Real breast cancer risks

While breast cancer rates vary from region to region, there are many factors, including diet, exercise and lifestyle that are more plausible explanations for the development of breast cancer (all the more reason to get our butts to the gym and eat more veggies). In places where people have less access to medical care, breast cancer isn't diagnosed as often or as early, even if it's present, which can skew the statistical rates of breast cancer. Also, age and genetics are factors that affect the probability of developing breast cancer.

The truth about mammograms and breast cancer >> Support your breasts and see your doctor

So you're safe in continuing to wear your favorite bra. However, if you are worried about your risk of breast cancer, you should discuss your concerns with a health care professional and find out about ways to cut your risk. Knowing the real risk factors and making healthy lifestyle choices can help you reduce your risks -- and going braless won’t!

More on breast cancer

How to support a friend who has breast cancer
3 Best exercises to beat breast cancer
How to prepare for breast cancer surgery

2013年7月3日星期三

The cookbook lover's gift guide

The Best Cookbooks For Gourmet Gift ListsThe vast (and vastly delicious) selection of beautifully-illustrated, recipe-packed cookbooks available at bookstores and online gives you near endless holiday gifts for your favorite foodies. The following cookbooks not only caught our attention but also made our mouths water. We recommend putting them at the top of your gourmet gift list.Cooking in Everyday English: The ABCs of Great Flavor At HomeCooking in Everyday English: The ABCs of Great Flavor At Home

You can't go wrong with a celebrity chef cookbook, especially one that turns restaurant-caliber dishes into easy home kitchen fare. Celebrity chef Todd English, an award-winning famous restaurateur and PBS television personality, shares his trademark flavor formulas for using fresh, seasonal ingredients and translates them into simple, tantalizing dishes for the home chef in Cooking in Everyday English (Oxmoor House, October 2011). In this innovative yet approachable cookbook, Chef English shows us how to create impressively tasty meals that also present amazingly at the table. A visually stunning cookbook, Cooking in Everyday English features 150 gorgeously-illustrated recipes, recipe grocery lists and step-by-step food techniques that teach you the hows and whys of every dish. Get ready to sink your teeth into mouthwatering recipes, such as Miso Mashed Potatoes, Tequila Braised Short Ribs and Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes.


Molto Batali: Simple Family Meals from My Home to YoursMolto Batali: Simple Family Meals from My Home to Yours

In Molto Batali (Ecco, October 2011), celebrity chef Mario Batali, the bestselling author of Molto Italiano and Molto Gusto, shares 120 of his favorite seasonal recipes in a monthly format that celebrates the spirit of togetherness at the dinner table year-round. From lush summer salads to hearty winter braises, the seasonal dishes in this delicious cookbook enliven any dinner table, from a weeknight meal to a holiday celebration. Each month features a sumptuous main course, three toothsome pastas, four delectable veggie sides, a rustic soup and an indulgent dessert. Get your fill of hearty homemade recipes, such as Leg of Lamb in a Clementine Crust; Wine-Stained Gemelli with Sausage "Meatballs" and Eggplant; Sauteed Rutabagas with Chile, Mint, and Maple; Green Garlic Soup; and Nectarine and Black Pepper Cheesecake.


The Food Lover's Guide to WineThe Food Lover's Guide to Wine

A wine book unlike any other, The Food Lover's Guide to Wine (Little, Brown, and Company, November 2011) by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg isn't a cookbook per se, but it is certainly an indispensable reference for food lovers who want to find the perfect vino for their meals. Formatted like the authors' two previous bestsellers, The Flavor Bible and What to Drink with What You Eat, this food and wine pairing book is an encyclopedic A-to-Z guide profiling hundreds of different wines by their essential characteristics -- from body and intensity to distinguishing flavors, and from suggested serving temperatures and ideal food pairings to recommended producers (including many iconic examples). As a bonus, the book provides illuminating insights from dozens of America's best sommeliers via informative sidebars, charts and boxes, which complement the book's gorgeous four-color photography. Every food lover should have this book in his or her kitchen.


Adventures with ChocolateAdventures with Chocolate

For the serious chocolate connoisseur, pick up master chocolatier Paul A. Young's scrumptious new cookbook Adventures with Chocolate (Kyle Books, November 2011). With his first cookbook, Young shares his chocolate-making magic, the varieties of chocolate, flavor pairings and decadent recipes which innovatively combine ingredients, such as pink peppercorns, saffron and marmalade. In addition to knee-weakening chocolate desserts, such as Hot Chocolate and Basil Cakes and Sea Salted Chocolate and Pecan Cake, Young delectably surprises us with one-of-a-kind savory recipes like White Chocolate Sauce for Seafood, Paul's Venezuelan Chocolate Chile Chicken and Chocolate Water Biscuits for Cheese. This holiday season, have all of your friends and family join you for an adventure with chocolate as you serve some of the most delicious and unique chocolate creations at your holiday gatherings.


The Whole Hog Cookbook: Chops, Loin, Shoulder, Bacon, and All That Good StuffThe Whole Hog Cookbook: Chops, Loin, Shoulder, Bacon, and All That Good Stuff

For the serious adventure eater who loves pork, The Whole Hog Cookbook (Rizzoli, September 2011) by seasoned chef and debut cookbook author Libbie Summers is a succulent ode to pork, complete with sustainable recipes using the whole hog from snout to tail. The book is a hard-bound visual, culinary and literary delight. Recipes are peppered with appetizing imagery and quirky, off-beat stories of Summers' life experiences like growing up on a small farm and traveling the world as a chef. The tales, appropriately dubbed "Pig Tales," precede each chapter of the book and make it humorous and relatable. Even the recipe introductions reveal Summers' clever and simplistic approach to making menu items come to life. Savor-worthy recipes include Sweet Tea Brined Pork Shoulder, Pork Chops and Applesauce, Pork Belly Gyros, Pork Pies and Jerk Roasted Tenderloin.


The Sausage BookThe Sausage Book

Nick Sandler and Johnny Acton's The Sausage Cookbook (Kyle Books, November 2011) is the ultimate cookbook for sausage fanatics. Not only do Sandler and Acton show home cooks how to make more than 30 different varieties of sausage, including fresh, cured, precooked, smoked and blood sausages, using quality ingredients, they also deliver 80 recipes using these tasty links. If you don't have any homemade sausages on hand, the authors give you butcher options. Ideal for hearty winter dinners, sausage recipes include Sausage and Bean Cassoulet, Chorizo & Goat Cheese Tart, Worcestershire Sauce Sausage Hotpot, and Rookwurst and Kale. Who doesn't love sausage? This is also the perfect gift for comfort food seekers.


The Italian TableThe Italian Table

A follow-up to his critically-acclaimed Pasta Sfoglia, Ron Suhanosky's The Italian Table (Kyle Books, November 2011) will bring the family around your gourmet giftee's table. Different from other cookbooks that simply list recipes in each chapter, Suhanosky's family-themed cookbook presents chapters that each gather hungry readers around a particular table on which a memorable meal was served in his life. Get ready for exciting, entertaining recipes, such as Classic Ribollita and Spicy Chickpea Soup with Lamb Polpettine and Creme Fraiche; Grilled Pork Spiedini with Fresh Plums, Sausage and Rosemary; Turnip Gratin with Crushed Amaretti; and the author's favorite childhood dish, Creamed Corn with Mascarpone and Black Pepper Taralli. If your fave gourmand loves Italian and loves entertaining family and friends, The Italian Table is the perfect holiday gift.


Nadia G's Bitchin' Kitchen: Cookin' for TroubleNadia G's Bitchin' Kitchen: Cookin' for Trouble

Got a rock star home chef on your foodie gift list? Cookin' For Trouble (Ballantine, October 2011) by Nadia G, host of the wildly popular comedy cooking show on Cooking Channel, Nadia G's Bitchin' Kitchen, is filled with nearly 300 gorgeous photos, savvy chef know-how and rock star 'tude which is bound to glam up (and crack up) everyone's dining experience. Each clever bitchin' chapter, all of which are themed with titles like "Back-of-the-Fridge Bachelorfest" or "(dysfunctional) Family Pizza Night", features a funny introduction and recipes. Nadia G also delights with creative menus, such as Hi-Speed Suppers, Girls' Night In, Veg-Head Specials, Student Shkoff-fest, and a special chapter devoted to everyone's favorite food group: Bacon! Complete with a foreword from Guy Fieri, Cookin' for Trouble is an edgy cookbook for the 'Net generation and anyone who wants a little excitement in the kitchen.


The Dead Celebrity Cookbook: A Resurrection of Recipes from More Than 145 Stars of Stage and ScreenThe Dead Celebrity Cookbook: A Resurrection of Recipes from More Than 145 Stars of Stage and Screen

Another out-of-the-ordinary cookbook, The Dead Celebrity Cookbook (HCI, October 2011) is a genius cookbook by Frank DeCaro, best known for his seven year stint as the movie critic on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. DeCaro reminds us that before there were celebrity chefs, there were celebrities who fancied themselves as chefs. With this in mind, he compiled favorite recipes from more than 145 of Hollywood's beloved stars who are no longer with us, laced them with hilarious commentary and included them in an entertaining and uniquely delicious cookbook. Perfect timing for hosting your own 'Dead Celebrity Holiday Party' and featuring a dead celeb menu, DeCaro's cookbook features fabulous conversation-starting recipes, such as Sinatra's Barbecued Lamb, Anthony Perkins' Tuna Salad, Rock Hudson's Cannoli and more. This is a cookbook that even your half-hearted foodies will enjoy.

Try these cookbooks from SheKnows

SheKnows Cookbooks: Holiday party planner
SheKnows Cookbooks: Game day snacks edition
SheKnows Cookbooks: Holiday entertaining edition