Turn the Page, We’ve Got More Than Recipes to Read

Throughout the year I go on stretches where I get an itch to make sure I read at least 20 pages a day. This time comes from setting a social media limit on my phone. Nonetheless, reading is reading. And if you can guess it, most of my interest tips into the food area – chef biographies, cookbooks or even essentially a textbook.

Now from the jump I need to make it clear that I don’t only consume content about food. Believe it or not, I do read other books, mostly nonfiction like Malcolm Gladwell’s many greats or whatever else peeks into how the brain works (scary stuff).

I need to start this all with a shoutout to a big inspiration of this week’s newsletter – Binding Agents. A place that’s been described as “heaven”, this new small shop sits in Philly’s Italian Market, sharing the best cookbooks new and old. There’s not a better location for this bookstore throughout the city, and who knew a small shop could be so aesthetically pleasing with perfectly arranged shelves of beautiful books.

I went in for two books as gifts for friends. And the first thing I thought to myself: I’m in trouble. I even said it out loud. And not much later, I walked out with The Silver Spoon Kitchen’s The Italian Bakery, which actually was not on my list. Then I had to pass by Isgro Pastries on my walk back. I didn’t stand a chance…

So as I took bites of the biscotti, rainbow cookie, cream puff and the sfogliatelle, I knew I had to share some of the books that fill my shelves and spaces.

Also, I know it may sounds weird to read a cookbook, but many of the ones that I actually buy myself dig into stories from the authors and techniques about the processes and such. So while stories, technique and recipes may not sound like everyone’s mix, they make the books much more worth it, in my opinion.

Some of my favorites, with names mentioned before:

• Molly Baz’s two cookbooks, Cook This Book and More is More

• The Food Lab by J Kenji Lopez-Alt

• Taste by Stanley Tucci

• Two of Marc Vetri’s Mastering series, Mastering Pasta and Master Pizza

• Yes, Chef by Marcus Samuelson

• Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz (not pictured, gift for my mom from me 😬 because books are meant to be shared, right?)

Now for what’s on my wishlist? A lot of new releases from my favorite chefs and follows:

• Why I Cook by Tom Colicchio

• Pass the Plate by Carolina Gelen

• Sun-Kissed Cooking by Brooke Williamson

• The Four Horsemen: Food and Wine for Good Times by by Nick Curtola, Gabe Ulla, James Murphy

And as I’m writing all of this – with minimal social media distractions – Claire Saffitz shared her go-to books, a great mix of classics because used book stores deserve attention too! Shoutout to Molly’s Books and Records also in the Italian Market and Baldwin’s Book Barn in West Chester.

What’s Cookin’

Guess who made two, yes TWO, of the recipes from last week’s send? That would be yours truly. Turns out I can make recipes that I save and share for others to make based on what I like. What a concept.

The Autumn Harvest Bowl and the Swedish Cinnamon Buns are both 10/10 worth making. I’m already set on making both again this week because of how well they fit the fall weather that is finally hitting. (And also maybe some interested coworkers who deserve the sweet treats as well.)

No new recipe features this week. Guess that means it’s time to get reading again… Good thing I have a few hundred pages left in the new book, and well above that in The Food Lab.

Get comfortable and read on 🤘