Books.

2462790839 bc7428af84 Books. It must be a sin. It felt like one: there I was, perched gingerly on the store floor, scanning the shelves and boxes of just-arrived cook-loving books at the half price book store (Half price? My husband teases me: you are spending money to save money?). I am Dutch after all: I am a SUCKER for good deals. No doubt when the deal is good, my left hand hardly knows what my right is doing. Doesn’t that ring of wrongdoing?

It really, really was a good deal, after all. And now that I am in culinary school, all my efforts to resist buying food-related, cooking inspired, chef advised, food-glorious books has gone… to hell in a hand basket (couldn’t resist).

That really is a funny phrase, mind you, as I find hand baskets to be not only convenient but environmentally friendly. In fact, a hand basket would’ve been perfect to carry home my new, such-a-steal, chef recommended books.

… My sin? Phenomenal, highly regarded cookbooks from well-renowned sources—at bargain basement prices. I should feel guilty paying only $14 for The French Laundry cookbook, one that I have ogled at in fine, boutique bookstores for many, many years. At $50, it didn’t even fit in the luxury budget… today I saved $34 when I bought it.

The French Laundry is a famous, famous, famous, famous restaurant in Napa valley. Thomas Keller is the chef/proprietor; he boasts a second restaurant, Bouchon (also with its own cookbook). I have not been to French Laundry, but I have been to Bouchon… twice. Just lovely: truffle fries, halibut cheeks, foie gras and forest mushrooms…

Oh, and that is not all.

I also bought: SAUCES by James Peterson (normally $50, I paid $9), Essentials of Cooking—also by Peterson, and The [New] Making of a Cook by Madeleine Kamman. This beast of a book has been recommended multiple times inside the few short weeks I have been at culinary school. I will let you know if I find it useful.

What is your current foodie read/book/weakness?

This entry was posted in just talk and tagged Barefoot Contessa, chef books, cookbooks, French Laundry. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.

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Erin said (5 May 2008 at 9:31 am):

I have a similar cookbook addition. I love looking at cookbooks. I love having them on my self, but I rarely use them. I tend to use my laptop almost all of the time in the kitchen. So it’s pretty silly/frivolous of me to keep buying cookbooks, but I just can’t help myself

Kristen said (5 May 2008 at 7:40 pm):

I love the half price book store… dangerous place to go!
You know… I gave up my cookbook addiction for a cooking magazine addiction! I subscribe to waaaay to many cooking magazines.

RecipeGirl said (6 May 2008 at 10:16 pm):

I’m a sucker for cookbooks and food reads too. A week rarely passes that I don’t buy at least one. My latest read is “Will Write for Food.” I took my son to the library the other day and ended up in (where else?) the cookbook section. I came home with a stack of cookbooks and an Anthony Bourdain book. My fave- The Foster’s Market Cookbook. Lots of treasures within!

Nicole said (7 May 2008 at 5:22 am):

I have been reading your blog for a while and finally I have gotten around to commenting. I love your enthusiasm for cooking.

I’m also a sucker for cookbooks. I subscribe to 3 cooking mags and found that DoubleDay were running a cookbook joining offer – 3 cookbooks for $10 each and 4th one free. I couldn’t resist and also couldn’t choose just 4 so I signed up under myself and my sister so I think I had better go and buy a new bookcase.

I’m an Aussie so I am biased and my favourites are any cookbooks by Bill Granger, Jill Dupleix, Neil Perry + Kylie Kwong. UK favourites would be Nigella Lawson , Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey. We don’t hear much about US chefs, much like you don’t hear about Aussie chefs.

Renae said (7 May 2008 at 4:50 pm):

Some women buy expensive shoes, others buy half price cook books. I love, love, love half-price books. You will get hours and hours of enjoyment from those books even if all you do is read them.

kate said (14 May 2008 at 7:42 am):

Yeah count me is as a sucker for a cheap cookbook. I love Half Price Books, and of course, the library is great for ‘road testing’ a book before committing.

I would spend way more time at a bookstore than I ever do in a shoe store.

aria said (28 May 2008 at 8:13 pm):

i love the french laundry cookbook too — one day i’ll actually eat there. i’ve eaten at bouchon and it’s fabulous. recently i’m reading hot sour salty sweet and small bites…mmmm