Thanksgiving Is Here! (Almost)

If you haven't already, it's time to start preparing for the big meal. Perhaps you want to try something new; or maybe you want to stick with the classics, but are unsure of your abilities. Why not check out one of the following books to help you get an idea of what to serve your friends and family (or what to take with you)?

Happy Cooking!

First up, is Southern From Scratch: Pantry Essentials and Down-Home Recipes by Ashley English. This beautifully photographed cookbook begins with 50 essentially Southern recipes and the pantry staples you'll need in order to make these from scratch. Then, you'll move on to fresh takes on the classics that will have you making the most of fresh, local ingredients. Once you have the jams and jellies, pickles and relishes, sauces and vinegars down pat, you'll have the bases for more flavorful recipes. This book is definitely where to start for traditional Southern dishes as well as new takes on old classics.

The final two books come from America's Test Kitchen. First is How to Roast Everything: A Game-Changing Guide to Building Flavor in Meat, Vegetables, and More. This indispensable guide to roasting has collected years of test kitchen experience to help cooks of all skill levels master the art of roasting. You will learn that what you buy and how you prep is just as important as knowing how to roast. There are ten essential roasts showcased here: from chicken to beef and pork to salmon. The rest of the chapters are arranged by protein or vegetable and fruit and are chocked full of new and innovative recipes. So, go ahead and enjoy Lemon Roast Chicken, Chinese Barbecued Pork, Warm Cauliflower Salad, and Bulgur-Stuffed Roasted Eggplant. YUM!

The second book, The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook, is exactly what it sounds like: a comprehensive guide to the recipes and product tests from all the seasons of the show 2001 -2018. I love watching these episodes on PBS, but if you would like to have an accessible copy of the recipes, this is the book for you. Salads, soups, stews, meats, veggies, and desserts are all covered, along with various product reviews from over the years and quick peeks behind the scenes at the television show. The beginning of each chapter has a table of contents as well as a comprehensive index in the back, just after the shopping guide which includes equipment and ingredients.