I was in Powell’s Home and Garden store the other day, and I had a long argument with myself about buying a boatload of books. I will spare you the details – but I will say that my responsible side won out and I did not leave with a stack of “food books”. But I wanted to. (Come on! Mario Batali’s Molto Gusto was on sale! Can you blame me?)
I have come to the realization that I do a lot of reading about food issues, nutrition, and other nerdy food-related things. And it all started with my husband reading The Omnivore’s Dillema on our honeymoon (romantic, I know…). Since he started spouting off facts to me about the evils of Monsanto and the problem of corn in the US, I’ve been hooked on ‘food literature’. I’ve devoured book after book, and I’m hungry for more. There is something so terribly interesting to me about the human relationship to food – and how that relationship has changed and evolved over the decades.
In any case, my trip to Powells got me thinking about the books that have changed my views on food. Books that make me love food. And books that make me want to be an amazing cook – as well as a responsible consumer. So, I started making a list of books that I would like to recommend. Books that I feel need to be read. But then I started thinking about the books I still WANT to read (a wish list, if you will) and I started making a list of those books. And, lastly, I thought of a (small) list of my go-to resource books for actual cooking and preparation.
That being said, I have a few reading lists to share with you. Not all the books are political (or about the evils of factory farms). Quite the contrary, some are just fun books about what it means to eat, travel, cook, etc. I just happen to really like books about the evils of factory farms, so there are definitely a few in there. :)
The “food books” you must read (according to me):
1. Eating Animals: Jonathan Safran Foer – a strong argument against factory farming and for vegetarianism. But mostly, it is just a compelling can’t-put-it-down, well thought out book. Loved it.
2. & 3. The Omnivore’s Dilemma & In Defense of Food – Michael Pollan – If you want to know anything about the food industry, start here. Michael Pollan is shaking things up. I love everything I’ve ever read by him.
4. What to Eat: Marion Nestle – A nutritionist’s look at the American grocery store. Goes into crazy amounts of detail on food production, what food is actually GOOD for you, definitions of sustainable wildlife, etc. For the true food nerd. An excellent resource.
5. My Life in France: Julia Child – Do I need to explain? Its entertaining, whimsical, and beautiful. It makes me wish I lived in France.
6. Kitchen Confidential: Anthony Bourdain – A book about the ‘seedy underbelly’ of the restaurant world. If you have dreams about becoming a chef, this will make you rethink those dreams. It will also make you throw away your garlic press.
7. Food Matters: Mark Bittman – Smart, simple, to the point. Great tips and suggestions for eating responsibly. Has meal plans!
8. The Jungle: Upton Sinclair- Not for the faint of heart and not exactly about food. A look at Chicago’s meat packing district in the 1920’s. Heartbreaking and stomach turning at times. Makes you wonder how much has really changed.
A cooking nerd’s reading “wish list” (i.e. things I need to read)
1. Molto Gusto – Mario Batali’s latest cookbook. Need I say more?
2. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle – Honestly, I dont know much about this book, but I’ve been told by lots of people that I need to read it. I think it is about a family that moves to Appalachia and lives off the land. And I think I will love it.
3. The Lost Art of Real Cooking – A new book out about going back to the old way of things, of using real ingredients and cooking from scratch. Looks amazing.
4. Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain – Anthony Bourdain’s newest book. A look at the food industry, restaurants, the food network, ‘foodies’, etc. (*Note, I own this book, but Nich has been hogging it. Will read soon.)
5. Diet for a Small Planet – Saw this in Powell’s Home & Garden and it looks amazing. Written in the 1970’s, and still so terribly applicable today.
6. Put Em Up: A Comprehensive Home Preserving Guide for the Creative Cook – Pretty self explanatory. Looks awesome.
7. Mastering The Art of French Cooking by Julia Child – Yes, I know. Its a complete and utter shame that I don’t own it already.
The kitchen essentials (in my humble opinion):
1. How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman – Quite self explanatory. This book explains it all.
2. Ad Hoc at Home by Thomas Keller – Thomas Keller’s recipes for the home cook. Gorgeous pictures, and full of useful information and explanations. Utterly amazing.
3. Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It – My go-to for fun gift ideas, pickles, sauces, relishes, jams, etc. A great little reference.
(*I thought there would be more in this list – but honestly, these are my go-to books for EVERYTHING. I cannot think of many questions I would have that Mark Bittman or Thomas Keller would not be able to answer. They are essential cooking references.)
And thus concludes my food nerderie for the day.
But, seriously, there are some good books in that list. I’d be happy to loan any of them to you. And, of course, I would love any recommendations on books you think I should read!
Please add these to your “must read” list, according to me!
All of Rick Bayless’ books on Mexican cooking– Even if you’re not totally wild about cooking Mexican, he has some terrific insights, and is the kind of “food-n-life” writer I aspire to be. His relationship with food reflects social, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Total person health.
The Joy of Cooking– Way better than your mama’s Better Homes and Gardens as a go-to for everyday cooking, but a little more basic than Bittman and Keller. Like how to make a perfect crepe, or aspic. sometimes we need to now that stuff.
The Flavor Bible–Go ahead… buy the crazy weird what-not food item that you’ve never heard of. When you get home, this book will guide you into its perfect use.
Animal Vegetable Miracle is about way more than a family simplifying and living off the land. Way more. That Monsanto thing?? Yeah, that and more.
Ah, sounds great. I love Jonathan Safran Foer’s fiction–he is an amazing writer. And I am sure I would love his food writing too. I’ve read a lot of these on your list, and I’m in the middle of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle at the moment. I read with an online food book club called the Kitchen Reader. Maybe it is something that would interest you? Then I feel free to buy one food book a month! :-)
i read most of animal, veg, miracle while house-sitting for Pam. sort of felt like preaching to the converted but a good intro to the homesteading lifestyle nonetheless. Made me want to learn to make cheese!
I have an old copy of diet for a small planet that you can borrow, its a quick read.
I would add…
Fiction about the Evils of Factory Farms:
My Year of Meats and All Over Creation both by Ruth Ozeki
Cook books:
Laurel’s Kitchen – a beloved gift from Pam, about way more than recipes (feminism, family, food politic)
Savoring Italy – by williams/sonoma. some of the best italian recipes I have ever made come from that book!