It's almost Christmas and you're looking for a recipe book to give as a present? You've come to the right place, because here I'm going to give you 3 ideas for recipe books. There will be my favorite book, a book to try your hand at vegan baking and one to avoid waste.
Olive + gourmando, the cookbook by Dyan Solomon
I'm not going to beat about the bush, this is my favorite cookbook. Of all the books I've ever held in my hands and tested recipes from, I've never had a book like Olive et Gourmando. The book is beautiful, there are interesting little stories and anecdotes, and above all, not one recipe disappointed me.
In most of the books I've used, there are often some really excellent recipes and others that seem to be there just to fill up the book, or that lack a little something in the seasoning or texture play. Perhaps to be able to adapt to as many people as possible? But to date, I've made over fifteen recipes from the book and they've always been delicious.
Beware, however, that the recipes in the book can be a little long and sometimes a little complex to make. Some recipes call on two or three other recipes in the book before they can be realized. If you're looking for a book to cook a dish in 5 minutes or with 4 ingredients, you'll have to pass. If you're looking for a book to cook recipes that are a little sophisticated but still full of taste, this is for you.
Olive et Gourmando is a café/restaurant in Montreal that I discovered when I was working in the neighborhood. I was delighted by the sandwich I ate for lunch, and when they brought out their book, I pounced on it.
For people outside Quebec or Canada, I don't know if the book is easy to buy, I haven't found it at Fnac for example, if you have addresses where it's available I'd be interested.
Vegan patisserie by Bérénice Leconte
I've often said that I would never be Veganbecause I couldn't do without animal products to make good patisserie. Then I discovered that vegan patisserie existed, so I wanted to give it a try and see.
This book by Bérénice Leconte was my companion for my first vegan dessert and pastry recipes, such as pâte brisée végane or vegan tarte Tatin. I was blown away!
Vegan patisserie can be just as good as traditional patisserie, it just sometimes requires a bit more work and harder-to-find products. But if you want to go vegan and still make great patisserie, I recommend this book. It's a perfect introduction to this world.
I still don't make all my desserts vegan, but I'm continuing to explore this area, and I've ordered the book on vegan cooking for Christmas. plant-based pastries by Pierre Hermé. I'll be in touch.
Zero waste, zero expense by Jean François Piège
Small exception for this onebecause I don't own it (yet). I've leafed through it and read about it, and I love the idea. I also love Jean-François Piège as a chef, so I'm sure the book will be of high quality.
However, it's only just been released, so I haven't yet been able to get hold of it and try out the recipes. But as you may have seen with my use of carrot tops to make a pesto, I try to use produce as much as possible. So when a book promises me solutions for using stale bread, by mixing it to make flour again, or making waffle batter with the leftovers from yesterday's croissants... I'm already won over!
And you, what cookbooks have you asked for for Christmas, or recommendations for cookbooks to give as gifts?
English 
French
Leave a comment