Christmas is approaching fast and it's time to think about gifts to put under the tree. In my family in recent years, we've scaled back quite a bit because we're quite numerous. On the other hand, we've set up raffles and ultimately it's much more fun. We have an imposed budget (10-15 euros) and it really forces you to rack your brains to find ideas that will really please. But today, I'm going to tell you about the cookbooks I would give to my loved ones depending on their profile.
-
Your cousin who sets her kitchen on fire baking cookies:
The Best of Once Upon a Time Pastry by Christelle Huet-Gomez, 18.50 euros
Without hesitation Christelle's book. These are family recipes, accessible and very well explained. It will delight anyone who wants to get started but doesn't quite know where to begin.
It's really great (and I'm not just saying that because she's my friend ^^) and as a cherry on top, it displays a QR code for each recipe that links to the video. So if you have any doubts, you can check the video to detail the technical gesture.
The recipes I want to try: the lost chocolate brioche, the apple galettes.
You can order it here for Christmas
-
Your aunt who tests each Sunday the trendy recipes from Pinterest
I received Cyril Lignac's book as a gift and I must admit I was quite impressed by the overall atmosphere. The photos are magnificent and make you want to try each recipe (which doesn't happen to me that often when I flip through a book).
These are fairly classic recipes not to be intimidating but just revisited and personal enough to feel like getting behind the stove.
The recipes I want to try: the flourless chocolate cake, the 100 for without.
-
Your great uncle who thinks he's on The Best Pastry Chef every time he has you over:
Cédric Grolet's book is a real gem. Almost one of those books to let live on a coffee table. It's very technical and will delight those who like to make entremets over several days. But also great to enjoy only with your eyes. A beautiful gift that will hit the mark for sure!
Didn't really want to try the recipes as they seem so technical, but a fierce desire to treat myself to a tea time at the Meurice as soon as I have a bit of money to enjoy the assemblies and optical illusions (my dream!).
- Your boyfriend/girlfriend who thinks about becoming vegetarian but who still really loves meat
Vegeitarian by Bernard Laurence, 24.90 euros
I received Bernard's book (whom you probably know from the nice blog www.lacuisinedebernard.com) exclusively dedicated to vegetarian cooking. You know I'm not vegetarian myself but from reading here and there about the horrors that the agri-food industry puts on our plates I'm starting to really (->ahahah) ask myself questions.
I flipped through Bernard's book and was surprised by its accessibility. Already no guilt-tripping speech about being a horrible person because you happen to enjoy a steak and that's refreshing!
I also like the simple side of the recipes. If you've ever happened to give up because the recipe mentions 1/3 recipe of half-chestnut/half-corn/half-whole wheat flour, 15 g of xuar and xanthan gum, you know what I'm talking about. Here no weird ingredients, (pretty much) everything is findable in a neighborhood supermarket. And the recipes are appetizing and diverse enough that the lack of meat doesn't feel missed.
And you, which one catches your eye for Christmas?
