Vegan Desserts, Sumptuous Sweets for Every Season

Perhaps one of the keys to the bold flavors and exciting range of vegan desserts presented in Hannah Kaminsky’s latest cookbook, VEGAN DESSERTS, SUMPTUOUS SWEETS FOR EVERY SEASON, is that she insists that there aren’t any disclaimers about her recipes.  “Each dessert must be delicious, bold and beautiful,  not just for a vegan dessert but for ANY dessert.”  It is for that reason, that Kaminsky’s latest book will appeal to a wide range of home bakers including those concerned with reducing fat and sugar, vegans and vegetarians, and Kosher bakers  (always on the prowl for non-dairy desserts)  alike.

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Harvest to Heat Cookbook: A Farm-to-Kitchen Journey

Cookbooks used to be written for those who loved to cook or for those who needed to cook.  Today’s food-centric culture has added breadth and depth to the genre.  Food lovers and home cooks look to chefs not just for instruction, but for inspiration. “Harvest to Heat, Cooking with America’s Best Chefs, Farmers, and Artisans” by Darryl Estrine and Kelly Kochendorfer goes one step beyond, showcasing the local farmers, ranchers and artisans who serve as muse to those esteemed chefs.  The result is a celebration of the symbiotic relationship between farmers and chefs and the masterpieces created by their combined efforts. 

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Martha Stewart @ Stamford's Fairway Market

If you would like to get a book signed at the event, pre-registration is necessary. Go to  martha@fairwaymarket.com and send in your name to pre-register. 

The Naptime Chef: Success While the Kids Sleep

In her former life, pre children, Kelsey Banfield of Fairfield CT, (The Naptime Chef), worked for Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital’s Development office where she helped to create a cookbook to benefit the hospital.  It was titled Park Avenue Potluck was published by Rizzoli in 2007.  Here, Kelsey learned the ins and outs of the publishing industry and all it takes to put a cookbook together.  Little did she know that she would be developing a cookbook of her own just years later...while her kids slept. 

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Food Writing & Blogging Class w/ Corinne Trang

Looking to learn how to write about food or start a blog? Why not learn from a master?  Corinne Trang is an award-winning author of several books including Noodles Every Day (2009), Curry Cuisine (2007), The Asian Grill (2006), She was dubbed the “Julia Child of Asian Cuisine” by the Washington Post, and has written for numerous publications including Saveur, Food & Wine, Relish, Cooking Light, and Bon Appetit. 

Now is your chance to study with Corinne Trang in a very intimate setting. Here are the details:

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Tartines for the Holidays via Healthy Living Blog

I had the most fortunate experience of meeting Dorie Greenspan, a James Beard Award-winning author, several months ago at a BlogHer conference. Dorie was signing her new cookbook at the Darien library recently, Around My French Table: More than 300 recipes from my home to yours. After leaving Dorie’s book signing, I was so inspired that I went through her entire cookbook, page by page. 

The Dieter’s Tartine caught my eye as it is popular among ladies who lunch in Paris, who want something filling, but not fattening. A tray of assorted tartines would also be especially festive during the holidays (cut in half for appetizer size portions).

I made Dorie's Dieter's Tartine, a tartine topped with artichoke tapenade, a sardine piquillo pepper tartine, a zucchini tartine, and a blueberry tartine. I have to say my son and I loved them all (his favorites were the artichoke tapenade, sardine piquillo pepper, and blueberry tartines). As you can see, the possibilities are endless.  Report back on any new toppings and combinations you come up with for tartines. 

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A CTbites Holiday Cookbook Guide

Dozens of cookbooks may line your shelves, but chances are there are a few that are a bit more "loved" that the others.

Their soiled, dog-eared pages and long since discarded book jackets reflect the patina of a cookbook worth its weight in kosher salt.

And if you're like me, chances are good that you may even know some of the recipes by heart, but you'd never dream of getting rid of them as their mere presence acts like a culinary confidence placebo.

We decided to compile a short list of some of your most well-soiled and thus well-loved cookbooks. Don't worry, we didn't ask anyone to give up their actual copies (we'd sooner ask for your first born), we simply paired a list of your recommendations your words as to why it's in heavy rotation in your kitchen, and thus would make a great gift for any food lover's cookbook collection.  

Also, don't miss our recent CTbites Shout Out "What's Your Favorite Cookbook?" for more great suggested reading. 

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Dorie Greenspan Speaks in Stamford

If you missed Dorie Greenspan's recent appearance in Darien, fear not fellow gourmand. 

The prolific cookbook author, francophile and bon vivant will be speaking at Kitchens by Deane in Stamford on Tuesday, December 7 at 5:30 to 7:30 pm. This event is sponsored by Connecticut Cottages & Gardens. You can RSVP by emailing event@candgpublications.com.

Read more about Dorie and her new best-selling cookbook, Around My French Table, in our recent interview.

An Interview with Dorie Greenspan

“Cooking is a very generous act, particularly baking. It’s sad to get through life without a cookie but you could.”

It’s impossible not to be smitten with Dorie Greenspan. The James Beard award-winning author of ten cookbooks, including the recent Around My French Table: More Than 300 Recipes From My Home to Yours, will present her latest cookbook at the Darien Library in conjunction with Barrett Bookstore on November 18 at 7 pm. This compilation of recipes inspired by contemporary French home cooking, shows us that it's not necessarily all about being Escoffier.

We had a chance to chat with the gracious author, Francophile and cook about everything from her favorite Connecticut haunts (she has a home in Westbrook, CT), to her favorite recipes, memorable kitchen flops, and what makes a good home cook.

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90 Seconds with Bobby Flay

It's the classic 2 girls meet boy who met grill story. Celebrity chef and generally good guy, Bobby Flay, greeted a comically long line of fans while signing his new cookbook BOBBY FLAY'S THROWDOWN! today @ Stew Leonard's.

Don't miss Norwalk's own outstanding local pie baker Michele Albano of Michele's Pies on page 263 in her throwdown with Bobby for the best Pumpkin Pie recipe. 

Coming soon: We'll be giving away a signed THROWDOWN cookbook in the next month.  We'll keep you posted. 

[In photo, left to right: Stephanie Webster, Bobby Flay, Amy Kundrat]