I love the holiday season. What’s not to love… aside from insanely long lines at the stores.
I love being with family and friends, holiday music, holiday movies on television, seeing the look on a child’s face the first time they see Santa, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and of course – FOOD! The holiday season is that one time of year where you want to enjoy everything, and that calories are not a thought. We can all worry about that when the new year rolls around, and we make our yearly resolutions.
I’m a decent cook, but I can’t bake to save my life.
I have a plethora of wonderful cookbooks, and tons of pages of recipes that I’ve saved from magazine or printed out off my computer. I love trying new things, but my family tends to be picky, so I have to watch what I make.
Book publishing company, Puffin Books, has curated recipes from some of the biggest names in the food world (Martha Stewart, Giada De Laurentis, Trisha Yearwood…). Using stunning food photography and whimsical food art, they created a new series of books called Puffin Plated. This ingenious new books series combines recipes and stories.
Their inaugural books in the series are already available from the publisher.
One of the new books, that is perfect for this time of year, is the holiday classic Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol.
I love this story. I love watching movies based on this classic tale by Charles Dickens. I also love the movie Scrooged, which is based on a Christmas Carol.
Inside this book from Puffin Books, you’ll find the entire, unabridged, story A Christmas Carol. Even if you have no interest in the recipes, you can still enjoy this beautiful book. I especially love the images and photos sprinkled throughout the book.
Just look at the ADORABLE stockings made out what appears to be graham crackers, jelly fruit candies, licorice and what I can only assume is marshmallows. They would so cute set out on a platter for your guests to enjoy.
Food is used in place of illustrations. The photography is wonderful. I’ve enjoyed how they incorporated yummy images to go along with the story.
Below is an example. You do not need to make your pie resemble the holiday ghost. The publisher only did this to go along with the story.
Instead this book, scattered among the pages of the story, you’ll find mouth watering recipes. These recipes are not just for the holidays. They would be wonderful to make year round. If you are planning a holiday get together this year, these recipes would certainly be fabulous to make for your guests.
I have not tried any of these recipes as of yet, but I do have a few of them “dog earred” in the book that I honestly want to try. Some of the recipes I want to try are Stuffed Mushrooms, Spinach Salad with Dried Cherries (I wanted to try it with dried cranberries instead), Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce and the Cran-Apple Crisp. Mmmmm!!!
Each recipe is listed in the table of contents, so it’s easy to find in the book. Included are recipes for appetizers, a main meal, side dishes and of course, dessert.
This is a great book to read with your family. You can also make the recipes found in this book and enjoy them while someone reads this holiday classic to family, friends and guests.
This is such a fun way to enjoy a great story along with great food. It’s a win-win situation.
The other book that is currently available is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
I’m not really a fan of the story. I read it when I was in school and I just couldn’t get into it. None the less, I was happy to flip through the pages of this book to check out the recipes featured inside.
Inside this book you’ll find recipes that go along with the old-fashioned feel of this story, such as Lizer Hearts, Sugar and Spice Cake, French Almond Macaroons, and Lemon Madeleines.
This book is set up the same way as the Christmas Carol book. It’s the actual Pride and Prejudice story that was written by Jane Austen, with mouth-watering recipes throughout the book.
Food is also used to decorate the inside of the book.
The images are NOT computer generated, it is all real food. Specialty food artists and a food photographer were hired for specifically to craft these original, delectable scenes. They did an amazing job.
Book lovers, classic lit lovers, food lovers, and home cooks alike will adore these innovative new classics, especially befitting the upcoming holidays. These would make wonderful gifts.
I know these books are available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. They are probably available at other retail locations too.
For more information about these and upcoming Puffin Plated books, visit their page on the Penguin Random House website.
Kimberly
*I received free sample copies to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
