Update: Another local food writer, Kitty Morse (well-known for her Moroccan food tours and cookbooks) just released her updated A Biblical Feast: Ancient Mediterranean Flavors for Today’s Table that features foods mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. The nearly fifty easy -to- make recipes, along with commentary on the history of the ingredients would delight any cook. The book is available online from Kitty and at local bookstores for $18.95.
Books make great gifts and three new ones are certain to get you thinking about cooking and food. Two cookbooks come from local San Diego restaurant owners: Su- Mei Yu owns the popular Saffron on India Street near the corner of Washington Street. Her latest book, The Elements of Life: A Contemporary Guide to Thai Recipes and Traditions for Healthier Living will be available early October. This food centers on Sue-Mei’s passion for healthy eating, and in the Thai culture, how seasons and elements (wind, fire, earth and water) figure in the daily diet.
Bernard Guillas, the longtime executive chef at The Marine Room and his chef de cuisine Ron Oliver share cooking secrets and recipes gathered during their worldwide travels as celebrity chefs–from Australia to Hong Kong– on land and on sea. Flying Pans: Two Chefs, One World will be available in early November. It looks to be a gorgeous book with Guillas’ good food.
Jill Richardson is a local food activist and blogger with a passion about America’s food system (or lack thereof). Her book, Recipe for America: Why Our Food System is Broken and What We Can Do To Fix It looks at our industrialized agricultural system and gives her vision for a way towards a more sustainable path for agriculture.