March Issue of The Costco Connection Reviews Things Cooks Love

The March issue of The Costco Connection includes a book preview of Things Cooks Love: Implements. Ingredients. Recipes. by Sur La Table and Marie Simmons:

This is the first in a series of books from trusted culinary supplier Sur La Table. It speaks to the love that cooks of all levels feel for their tools. Whether you are passionate about a gorgeous copper pot, a rice cooker or your grandmother’s well-aged, cast-iron skillet, award-winning author Simmons provides inspiration to make the best use of your cookware, along with delectable recipes to enhance the experience, using the freshest ingredients available.

Things Cooks Love Featured in Publishers Weekly

Things Cooks Love and Sur La Table’s cookbook series with Andrews McMeel Publishing are featured in the February 25 issue of Publishers Weekly.

Andrews McMeel Publishes Sur La Table Books

by Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 2/25/2008

With about 70 stores nationwide, Sur La Table is the second-largest specialty cookware retailer in the U.S., after Williams-Sonoma, which has about 250 stores. Both companies have strengths and weaknesses, but one recent development will level the playing field somewhat: Sur La Table will follow Williams-Sonoma’s lead and begin selling its first-ever series of branded books this spring. Andrews McMeel bought the rights at auction and plans three books in 2008 and four in 2009.The books, all jacketed hardcovers with lay-flat bindings, will be sold in all Sur La Table stores as well as in bookstores, warehouse clubs and grocery stores (though they won’t be sold at Williams-Sonoma). Kirsty Melville, executive v-p and publisher of Andrews McMeel, said she had been looking to expand the company’s cookbook publishing program since she arrived two years ago from Ten Speed Press. “The underlying theme to all of the books will appeal to cooks who have a passion for cooking. Sur La Table is known as a place that is a trusted authority in the culinary world. We’re trying to build on that [reputation].”

The first book in the series is Things Cooks Love: Implements. Ingredients. Recipes by Marie Simmons, pubbing in April with a 125,000-copy first printing. It gives detailed descriptions of the items on the shelves in a typical Sur La Table store—roasting pans, cast-iron skillets, fondue pots, etc.—along with recipes that use the items. For each book in the series, the writer collaborates with editors from Sur La Table and Andrews McMeel.

Other books in the series include The Art and Soul of Baking (Oct.) and Knives Cooks Love (Nov.), plus four as-yet-untitled books in 2009. Despite the obvious connection between the books and cooking utensils, Melville said so far there are no plans to sell the two together. However, she said Sur La Table will promote Things Cooks Love next to some of the equipment used in the book.

Sur La Table sells cookbooks from a variety of publishers at its stores and will continue to do so, as it makes room for its own books on the shelves.

--Publishers Weekly, February 25, 2008

Apronisms — New from EllynAnne Geisel

Apronisms: Pocket Wisdom for Every Day

With features on CBS's Sunday Morning and NPR's All Things Considered, EllynAnne Geisel raises the apron to cult status. This little book asserts, "You can never have too many aprons or too many memories." Apron anecdotes and aphorisms merge with quotes, photographs, and memories to offer down-home-spun, no-nonsense wisdom that is tinged with humor. For ultimate giftability, the book's case wrap mimics fabric.

Praise for Apples for Jam

Apples for Jam: A Colorful Cookbook: A rainbow of recipes awaits

“Exuberant and colorful” – New York Times Magazine

“Apples for Jam is a book that gets under your skin. It beckons you, and seduces you to pick it up.” – KQED San Francisco, CA

“A lovely quilt snuggled softly against your cheek.” - Times Herald-Record, Hudson Valley, NY

“A vibrant and charming collection” - Tucson Citizen, Tucson, AZ

“The charming drawings and homey, evocative photographs along with the well chosen selection of recipes make for a beautiful and personal cookbook. Apples for Jam is a thoroughly original and enjoyable family cookbook.” - CookbooksWeLove.com

“Like Nigella Lawson, Nigel Slater and a handful of others, Tess Kiros is more than a recipe writer... Kiros conjures up the atmosphere which lifts her homey foods –fish pie, tomato lasagna, hamburger patties—from the humble to the exceptional.” – The Cookbook Store, Toronto, On

“Tessa Kiros is set to be the culinary world's latest star.” – Red magazine, London, UK
“Apples for Jam” is made for anyone who loves to play with children while encouraging their imaginations and expanding their palates. - The Register – Guard, Eugene, Oregon

The author, Tessa Kiros, of Finnish and Greek heritage, leads her readers into a joyous and fulfilling world of preparing and eating food... Check out this delightful and very festive cook book. - Silvia Lehrer, Dan’s Papers, The Hamptons, Long Island

Library Journal Reviews Things Cooks Love

The February 15 issue of Library Journal includes a starred review of
Things Cooks Love: Implements. Ingredients. Recipes. by Sur La Table and Marie Simmons:

The first Sur La Table shop, stocked with high-end kitchen equipment, opened in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in the early 1970s, and today there are more than 55 stores across the country. The company’s first book, with cookbook author and food writer Marie Simmons, presents information on cookware of all sorts, along with dozens of appetizing recipes from a wide range of cuisines. The first section covers equipment for the “basic kitchen,” followed by a chapter on the “well-stocked global kitchen,” with more esoteric cookware. The second section focuses on 25 or so essential pots, pans, and handheld tools, with recipes that show off the equipment to its advantage. The third section offers delicious recipes grouped by cuisine, from Asian to Iberian to Moroccan; each of these chapters opens with a guide to special ingredients. Burt Wolf’s encyclopedic New Cooks’ Catalogue covers more equipment in more detail, but the recipes set the Sur La Table book apart. Highly recommended.

Praise for Quick-Fix Vegetarian: Healthy Home-Cooked Meals in 30 Minutes or Less

Praise for Quick-Fix Vegetarian: Healthy Home-Cooked Meals in 30 Minutes or Less

Every mouthwatering recipe...is a tribute to healthy, humane, and delicious eating. This remarkable cookbook makes it a snap for veteran vegans and beginners alike to enjoy gourmet meatless cuisine in less time than it takes to order a pizza.
--PETA, which named Quick-Fix Vegetarian the Best New Cookbook of 2007

If you think being vegetarian is boring, then read this book! It’s full of mouth-watering recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, making it a perfect introduction to vegetarian living.
--TheVegetarianChannel.com

Thankfully, Robin Robertson understands that recipes don’t need to be complicated, voluminous or inaccessible to be delicious....The simplicity of the 150 recipes is what makes them perfect.
--VegNews Magazine

Vegetarian cooking has never been easier — or more delicious. Quick-Fix Vegetarian is the answer for busy families who are looking for healthy food, fast.
-- Soulveggie.com

People who rarely cook but wish they could put more time into homemade meals will find Quick-Fix Vegetarian a genuine treasure.
-- Vegparadise.com

Quick-Fix Vegetarian’s soups are outstanding...as tasty as they are easy.
--South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Complete without being too long, healthy without being inedible, time-saving without cutting corners on nutrition....It establishes Robin Robertson’s expertise...as a writer and teacher about vegetarian food.
--Savvyvegetarian.com

Most people live a hectic lifestyle these days, and any quick-and-easy vegetarian cookbook is greatly appreciated.
--Vegetarian Journal

Pearls Before Swine Creator Appeared On The Big Idea

Pearls Before Swine creator Stephan Pastis appeared on The Big Idea with Danny Deutsch on Wednesday, February 6th.

I Love Coffee! Perfect for Valentine's Day

I Love Coffee! By Susan Zimmer

Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Learn how to pour a heart for the latte lovers in your life!

Now coffee lovers can make delicious cappuccinos, cold coffee quenchers, decadent coffee desserts, and classy coffee martinis year-round using simple techniques with gourmet results in this indispensable coffee guide and cookbook.