No Such Thing As Too Many Cookbooks
Ask Aspen-based cookbook author, cooking school instructor and master chef Sherry Cohen how many cookbooks she owns and she shrugs. “A hundred? Two hundred? Who knows? There’s no such thing as too many cookbooks,” Cohen said.
Her attitude helps explain why cookbooks are such popular holiday presents for men, women and children of all ages.
This season, many national, state and local nonprofit health organizations are looking to raise awareness of and funds for their special concern — whether it’s diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, food allergies or some other medical condition — through cookbook sales.
The list below, while not exhaustive, provides a good place to start for shoppers who want to contribute to research, patient services, education or prevention efforts with each cookbook purchased. Since it’s for a good cause — and because cookbooks make such great gifts — you might even consider purchasing several.
Remember, whether for others or yourself: There’s no such thing as too many cookbooks:
The American Cancer Society: “Kids’ First Cookbook”
Delicious, nutritious treats kids can make themselves. Creepy spiders, sloppy dogs, tornado swirls — these are just a few of the starter recipes featured in this combination cookbook-food activity guide. It features icons by each recipe showing level of difficulty plus blueprints to help children design their own masterpieces. Also includes a Parents’ Section to help mom and dad reduce fats in recipes, as well as offering tips for eating out.
Order from the American Cancer Society’s online bookstore.
The American Diabetes Association: “World-Class Diabetic Cooking,” by Kay Spicer.
TV hostess Kay Spicer searched the world over looking for palate-tempting, unusual recipes. The recipes she found and included in this 220-page cookbook will knock the socks off anyone who thinks a diabetic diet has to be dull or tasteless. There’s Portuguese cornbread, hot Bavarian potato salad, Italian ricotta cheesecake, East Indian curried lamb — you get the idea. With the preparation of some 200 distinct dishes described in wonderful detail, the book is further enhanced by information about the cultural background of each dish and full-color photos that will make you want to try dishes you can’t even pronounce. Includes the complete nutritional analysis of each meal for the diabetic patient.
Order from the American Diabetes Association.
The American Diabetes Association: “How to Cook for People With Diabetes”
Whether you’re a diabetic yourself or cook for someone else who is, this cookbook provides a great beginner’s guide to putting tasty, nutritious, balanced meals on the table. It also explains how to plan so that diabetic meal preparation is actually enjoyable, rather than an ongoing hassle. Contains 150 recipes including such mouth-watering favorites as Lagniappe bread pudding, potato dumplings and shrimp etouffee.
Order from the American Diabetes Association.
The Food Allergy Network: “The Food Allergy News Cookbook: A Collection of Recipes From Food Allergy News and Members of the Food Allergy Network, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2,” by Anne Munoz-Furlong.
Despite the lengthy title, both volumes of this cookbook have a legion of enthusiastic users. Focusing on how to create healthy, balanced meals under challenging conditions, it’s a godsend for any family with a member allergic to common foods. It has recipes for standard family fare, as well as special desserts, such as ice cream made without eggs.
Order from the Food Allergy Network online.
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics: “Cystic Fibrosis Nutrition Handbook and Cookbook,” by Sherie Sondel, Mary Marcus and Mary Lamon-Smith.
The first half of the work is a handbook that offers help with establishing good nutritional practices for CF patients and family members; the second half comprises the dietitian-tested and approved recipes.