December 2011 Cookbook of the Month Nominations

[LulusMom]

I realize this is early, but I will be going out of town (likely with no computer access) on Nov. 18th so I’m moving the process forward a little. Time for the Chowhound Cookbook of the Month nominations. COTM is open to anyone who wants to participate, and we’d love to have you join us. For more on how Cookbook of the Month works or to see an archive of books we’ve already cooked from this link can give you lots of information: http://www.chow.com/cookbook_of_the_m...

As always, when nominating, please remember to put the title/s in ALL CAPITALS if you want your nomination to be counted. Nominations will be open until midnight (eastern time) Monday, November 14th. Have fun, and nominate away!

[LulusMom]

Just wanted to let all the regulars know that the January nomination thread is now up at: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/822602

[LulusMom]

The winner has been announced! See http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/817789

[Gio]

Well, I don 't like Joey's Beans. I've been looking at The Greatest Cookbook in the World:The Only Cookbook You'll Ever Need In Your Entire Life, by I. M. Nughts

It's a great read, has 15,799 recipes from every country in the world and oniy weighs 25 pounds. Surely this should be a last minute contender.

[bayoucook]

ummmmm, no, maybe not... ;-)

[LulusMom]

I. M. Nughts - brilliant. Surprised you turned down Joey Bean's Canned Food Casseroles though...

[LulusMom]

Starting to wonder if it is worth waiting until the 14th. It definitely looks like we won't need the usual run-off.

[Gio]

Do you think we're going to get more than 15 people to nominate another book between now and Monday night? Ordinarily I would advise to keep the noms open till tomorrow but this looks like an unusual situation. Lets see what others say...

(I'm dying to dig into this book, BTW)

[pikawicca]

I'm with you on this.

[qianning]

Looks like a done deal to me.

[LulusMom]

Exactly my thinking. I know sometimes we have a dark horse book that comes in in the last day or two, but it is hard to imagine that happening this time around. If anyone objects to this being announced as the winner on Monday dinner time (eastern time), please let me know. Seems sort of silly to wait given the overwhelming love this book is getting.

[dkennedy]

I'm in full agreement. Since there will be no voting thread, perhaps owners of 150 could post here which recipes they feel are the not to miss ones. I bought 150 a few voting threads back based on other's overwhelming recommendations but I have yet to cook from it. It would be great if all those prior recs could be repeated here.

[LulusMom]

I'll wait until tomorrow just so those who only go online on work days get a chance to have a final say. Then, around 6-7 eastern time, I'll make it official (watch ... tomorrow there will be a sudden uprising for Joey Bean's Canned Food Casseroles).

[L.Nightshade]

Wait, stop everything! I want Joey Bean's Canned Food Casseroles!

[LulusMom]

See! I knew it!

[roxlet]

The duck. Definitely the duck, but I didn't cook it for quite as long as the recipe says. The brown butter cookies are fantastic, but can be a little dodgy to form without a scoop. They're so worth it though!

[bayoucook]

Me too. Have had my book for ages. Went through it yesterday and tagged more recipes than I expected to. Excited about exploring this one this month!

[angelsmom]

Just made the Intense Chocolate Torte for hubbies birthday yesterday and it was to die for.

[LulusMom]

Promise to mention some of my favorites once there is an announcement thread.

[wineos]

I really like 150 Best American Recipes and hope to revisit it with everyone during COTM. Good choice!

[Goblin]

150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES

Yippee! I voted for this last month--ended up having a great time with the winning November choice (Gourmet Yesterday) but am thrilled to nominate 150 Recipes again.

[L.Nightshade]

It looks like a landslide, so I'm jumping in.
150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES

BTW, Breadcrumbs has some mouthwatering reviews of dishes on EYB, pretty much closed the deal on my ordering the book.

[angelsmom]

I vote for 150 also.

[emily]

150 -- the lemon posset recipe is awesome!

[LulusMom]

All caps please - although in this case it isn't looking like missing one vote would count. But it helps a lot to be able to see and count them. Thanks!

[bayoucook]

150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES.

[buttertart]

150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES. It's a great book.

[The Dairy Queen]

I have that book!

~TDQ

[buttertart]

Do you now. Bet your fellas would love those browned butter cookies!

[The Dairy Queen]

I'm in a baking mood. Maybe I'll start there.

~TDQ

[LulusMom]

I made them about two weeks ago during a playdate. At first I was iffy (but both girls gave them a thumbs up), but they really do get better from sitting. There are a LOT of good looking desserts in this book.

[mirage]

That was exactly my experience with them. I thought they were fine, but my guests absolutely raved. By the third day, however, I was a HUGE fan.

[LulusMom]

Did you do the salt thing? I thought that really put them over the edge - nice chunky sea salt as they came out of the oven. Heaven (but yes, after 2-3 days).

[dkennedy]

Browned butter cookies, eh? Now there is a recipe I would have skipped over altogether. That's what is so great about COTM!

[mirage]

I did do the salt thing - a Hound mentioning that here is what drew me to them in the first place!

[nomadchowwoman]

I thought I had totally screwed them up until roxlet posted a photo of hers, and I realized mine weren't too far off. Didn't really matter: my husband pronounced them "absolutely fantastic" and ate them ALL. I had lots of sandy crumbs remaining, which I saved. They are great for sprinkling over fresh or baked pears, ice cream, etc.

[LulusMom]

What an absolutely brilliant idea about the crumbs. I wish I'd thought of that. Thanks nomadchowwoman.

[buttertart]

They are definitely in the top 10 cookies EVAH!

[LulusMom]

In going through the book yesterday, I was amazed at how many of the recipes I've made (I figured it was 4-5, but it seems to be at least double that), and how many of them we loved.

[qianning]

When 150 BEST RECIPES was in contention a while back I put it on hold through my local inter-library loan, and forgot to release the hold. Oops. Not wanting to waste library resources (scare around here lately), I picked it up when they called me. Have only cooked one thing from it so far, but that was solid. So, what the heck, it is always nice to be ahead of the curve on something in December.

[dkennedy]

I'm in!

150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES

[herby]

Is this the book? If you guys continue nominating in the same manner, there will be no need for a voting thread - bet LulusMom will be happy:)

[nomadchowwoman]

That's the one, herby.

[LulusMom]

I'll be happy because I love this book! It is exactly what I would nominate.

[Caitlin McGrath]

150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES

Having taken a look at this, it seems like a great fit for December. Not an overwhelming number of recipes (obviously), a good mix of things that could work for simple dinners in a busy month and company-worthy dishes for the inevitable entertaining.

I would also like to add that just about all the recipes are available online, so one need not even lay hands on it. When this book was in contention last month, I did a bit of internet sleuthing, and I now have a file with links to 134 of the 150 recipes. Should we select the book, I would be happy to post all the recipe links in the appropriate threads when they go up.

[mebby]

Wow, Caitlin, that's not just "a bit" of internet sleuthing! Thanks for doing that. I've had this book in my amazon cart for the last month given all the raves and may just have to succumb.

[greedygirl]

That's great as I probably won't be buying this one and it looks like it's a done deal!

[Caitlin McGrath]

Are you able to access pages on Google Books, GG? The first couple of chapters are there (and so that's where most of my links for those recipes are from, though they're probably available elsewhere, too).

[herby]

Caitlin, how does it work? I signed into Google Books, found the book and then what? I do not see any "look inside" or similar buttons.

[Caitlin McGrath]

Try this link, then use the buttons up top to page through: http://books.google.com/books?id=Anrl...

[herby]

I was on the same page but which buttons on top do you use? I have maps, videos, mail, etc. - none could be used to get to pages in the book.

[greedygirl]

I seen to remember from another thread that if you're outside the US you can't access that feature.

[herby]

I am in Canada - you are right GG and this is why I can't see the buttons Caitlin is refering to - oh, wonderful. There is also a lonely excited review on amazon.ca and I was wondering if I am looking at the right book.

[greedygirl]

It's really annoying, isn't it?

[Caitlin McGrath]

With regards to this book, most of my links are from elsewhere.

[oakjoan]

Aw put a sock in it! You Brits/Canads have National Health.....we have to have at least a couple of things that we get and you don't!

[Rella]

Thanks so much! Even though I recently bought the book, I always scan the pageor pages of a recipe, print it out, and work from the print-out.

I will not have to do the normal scanning, which is always far from perfect anyway, so your efforts helps me, owner of the book, as well. Much appreciation!

[herby]

Caitlin, would you consider offering these links to EYB? The book is indexed but there are no links to online recipes.

[nomadchowwoman]

I'll also vote for 150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES.

[Gio]

150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES

[pikawicca]

150 BEST.

[roxlet]

150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES

[JoanN]

150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES

Since I was one who asked we hold off on this book until December, let me be the first to nominate it.

[jen kalb]

ditto, 150 BEST

[Rella]

150 BEST AMERICAN RECIPES.

I bought this book on the enthusiasm of chowhounders, so I'm interesting in getting into the meat of it.

[thebadsleepwell]

Good Morning! I am new to the boards, have lurked for sometime and have finally decided to jump in the pool! My nomination would be for the UNION SQUARE CAFE COOKBOOK. I have been a huge fan of this classic restaurant cookbook and have rarely been dissapointed in the few dishes I have made. The cooking is a beautiful mingling of Italian and French cusines with a little Mediterranean thrown in. And you have to try the bar nuts!

[dkennedy]

Lurkers are very welcome here. I am intrigued by your nomination of Union Square Cafe Cookbook. The reviews on Amazon are pretty compelling, so I just bought a used copy. Can you tell me more about the dishes you have made out of this book? Other than the bar nuts, which recipes are your favorites?

[thebadsleepwell]

Well in the few I made there was not a bomb in the butch. I am definitely partial to the Penne with Asparagus and Red Peppers, and the Grilled Swordfish. Also the desserts look so delectable (I have not attempted one yet). All in all it does not look like it will happen this month, but maybe in a future month. I love reading everyone's thoughts on food in whatever we decide to do for December! And thank you for making me feel so welcome in my first posts.

[roxlet]

Yes, I am interested in your favorite recipes too! I love the restaurant, and I have the book, but I think I haven't cooked from it for a very long time.

[nomadchowwoman]

Welcome to the fun, tbsw. I do not own that cookbook at the moment (lost it in a particular disaster a few years ago) but do own the second one, which has a few fantastic (if involved) recipes as well. But were it to win (probably not this month, I'm guessing, but maybe in another), I'd gladly buy another copy
I've had many wonderful meals at the Union Square Cafe. My favorite was a tagliatelle with rabbit ragu on a blustery January day . . . But I digress.
Hope you enjoy COTM.

[Tom P]

I have both USC cookbooks and they are wonderful. It is also one of my favorite places to eat in all the world! It would be a great book for Cookbook of the Month, if not Dec then some other time.

UNION SQUARE CAFE COOKBOOK

Let me go ahead and say that their version of a tuna fish sandwich, if you follow the recipe, is one of the culinary wonders of the world :)

[LulusMom]

Is this the tuna burger, or something different.

[Rella]

http://events.nytimes.com/recipes/744...

I am assuming this is the recipe?

Hold the mayo, please -- just kidding! I mean 'aioli'.

[Tom P]

Not the tuna burger (which is not my favorite.) Rella's link is indeed the recipe (thanks Rella). Wow. Is it good. The restaurant is known for many things but this sandwich is one of the main ones. I've had it there and at home and it is so so good. It is hard to convince people to order a tuna sandwich at such a lovely place but it really is that terrific.

[LulusMom]

Great, thanks to you and Rella. I, too, love the restaurant. Cozy and delicious.

[dkennedy]

My copy of The Union Square Cafe Cookbook came in today's mail and I hope to make the Creamless Mushroom Soup (recommended by an EYB user) and the tuna sandwich (recommended by Tom) for tomorrow's dinner.

[Rella]

I ordered this book two days ago.from Bargains in Canada. It probably will take a long time to get here in Virginia. But I couldn't resist the $7.50 price.

(Also ordered:

Heart of the Artichoke

Marcella Says - a Marcella book I didn't own

Encyclopedia of Sauces recommended by a chowhound

However, $10.28 shipping eats into the price per book, but still a good buy $40 for 4 including the shipping.)