Flavors for the holidays
Famed chefs share their favorite recipes
By Stephanie Snipes
CNN
(CNN) -- As the holiday season approaches and party planning begins, the season's new cookbooks provide a variety of delectable bites that will make your family gatherings unforgettable.
Many home cooks are easily intimidated by the magnitude of preparing an entire holiday feast. But fear not: This year's cookbooks are simple enough for new cooks to conquer and creative enough to keep experienced chefs inspired.
From classic French bistro favorites to tasty, unique "Surreal" bites, there is a little something for everyone.
"Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Make at Home" by Ina Garten (Clarkson/Potter)
Party planner extraordinaire Ina Garten (a.k.a. the Barefoot Contessa) returns to bookstores with a collection of doable French faire. "Barefoot in Paris" takes the intimidation out of French food with easy-to-follow country recipes like "Boeuf Bourguignon," "Blue Cheese Soufflé" and a traditional "Crème Brulee."
"There are millions of French cookbooks, nobody needs another one," she said in an interview. "But I think of my experience in France and [with] French food is actually really simple food, made with fresh ingredients that are really seasonal and they're cooked pretty simply. I wanted to stick with the classics and see if I could make them easier." (Read more about Ina Garten).
"Paris" is packed with beautiful color photographs of Garten's mouth-watering recipes, tips and words of advice, and a handy conversion chart. The author also includes a section called "If you're going ..." that includes her favorite restaurants, bakeries and cooking supply stores in Paris.
(Try a recipe: "Blue Cheese Soufflé," "Steak with Béarnaise Sauce," or "Crème Brulee" )
"Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook: Strategies, Recipes, and Techniques of Classic Bistro Cooking" by Anthony Bourdain (Bloomsbury)
On the other end of the bistro cooking spectrum is "Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook." Bourdain, best-selling author of "Kitchen Confidential," highlights recipes from his New York-based Les Halles restaurant.
While the recipes, such as "Mignons de porc a l'ail," "Coq au vin" and "Onion soup Les Halles," may seem intimidating to novices, Bourdain walks the reader through step by step, using a candid and humorous attitude to take the mystery out of the classic bistro recipes.
"I like to say, this is what you should watch out for. This is what you're likely to screw up. If you do screw it up it's no big deal. In fact, I expect you to screw this up the first, and the second, and even the third time," said Bourdain. (Read more about chef Anthony Bourdain).
(Try a recipe: "Mignons de porc a l'ail," "Onion soup Les Halles," or "Lemon Tart")
"Surreal Gourmet Bites: Showstoppers and Conversation Starters" by Bob Blumer, a.k.a "The Surreal Gourmet" (Chronicle)
Self-taught cook Bob Blumer has made a name for himself as the "Surreal Gourmet," a chef who takes everyday ingredients and turns them into tasty meals with his own spin.
In "Bites," his fourth book, Blumer takes on the challenge of shrinking everyday recipes to appetizer size. From "Caesar Teasers," a miniature homage to the classic Caesar salad, to "Inside out BLTs," which uses pan-fried tomatoes in lieu of bread, every holiday party can benefit from these creative creations. (Read more about the "Surreal Gourmet.")
(Try a recipe: "Caesar Teaser," "Inside-out BLTs," "Carrot Cake Shooters")
"Celebrations 101" by Rick Rodgers (Broadway Books)
Rick Rodgers, author of the best-selling "101" series books "Thanksgiving 101" and "Christmas 101," debuts his latest party planning guide, "Celebrations 101." In "Celebrations," Rodgers walks readers through a year of parties, including "An Easter Dinner," "A Memorial Day Barbecue Season Kickoff" and "A Halloween Party." He also devotes an entire section to the winter holiday season.
The book includes simple, straightforward recipes, shopping lists, decorating ideas and preparation timetables. Recipes include "Wine-brined Pork Roast with Farmhouse Gravy," "Curried Glazed Peanuts" and "Mini-Meatballs in Chipotle Sauce." (Read Rick's tips for a stress-free holiday).
(Try a recipe: "Mini-meatballs in Chipotle Sauce," "Shrimp Spread with Pesto and Mascarpone," or "Grandma Rodgers' Meringue Chip Cookies")
"Joan Nathan's Jewish Holiday Cookbook" by Joan Nathan (Schocken)
For 25 years, Joan Nathan has been inspiring home cooks with recipes for the Jewish kitchen. In her newest book, "Joan Nathan's Jewish Holiday Cookbook," Nathan cooks her way through Jewish holidays including Yom Kippur, Purim and Hanukkah.
The book includes revised and updated recipes from Nathan's books, "The Jewish Holiday Kitchen" and "The Jewish Holiday Baker," as well as new recipes developed from her nationally syndicated television show, "Jewish Cooking in America" on PBS.
Recipes include "Chocolate Babka," "Aunt Lisl's Butter Cookies," and "My Mother's Brisket."
(Try a recipe: "Potato Latkes," "My Mother's Brisket," or "Aunt Lisl's Butter Cookies")
