Monday, January 20, 2014

Of New Years and Lunches


New Year = New Recipe Books

There's nothing better than a spot of cooking motivation to start off the new year well.

And boy, do these two recipe books deliver!

#1


This book is a visual feast of vegetarian recipes, with each recipe visually represented not only with a photo of the finished product, but also of the ingredients.


The quirky layout and imaginative recipes will have you coming back again and again to these pages.

#2


This is an extremely orderly book, written by a book store owner who decided to make lunch a daily habit, shared in preparation and enjoyment with his staff and co-workers.

Peter Miller's structured writing and nuanced descriptions of luncheons, no matter how simple, make each and every one sound like a feast.

   "...Lunch is important. It is, in a way, the good part. It is the separation between the front of the day and the back, a narrow strip between stretches of work. Talking and sitting with others allows us to leave the pencil, or the laptop, or the phone and enjoy a break. We can get back to work in a few minutes, revived.
   Now that we make it every day, we anticipate it, we sit for it, and, in quiet, subtle ways, we work at is. It can save a workday all on its own, this moment of a little care and community. It is a time to relax and enjoy - no small matter in the gears of the workday." (p.10)