“Big Book of Home Cooking” -- More than 25 years ago, two next-door neighbors sat at their kitchen tables brainstorming ideas that would allow them to be at home with their kids, but work doing something they both loved. The result was Gooseberry Patch, a company that evolved over the years into a cookbook line that has sold more than 9 million copies. One of the latest is “Big Book of Home Cooking,” with more than 350 pages of comfort food and drink recipes -- from bacon and greens salsa to party paellas casserole, pimento cheese biscuits and the simple million-dollar pound cake. There’s even a section on making food gifts such as festive cranberry honey, mini pumpkin spice loaves and savory rice mix. (Oxmoor, Hardcover, $29.95)
"Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible" -- Earlier this fall, Paula Deen and Melissa Clark produced this book with the subtitle “The New Classic Guide to Delicious Dishes with More than 300 Dishes.” When most of us think of Southern cuisine, Deen’s name and drawl will pop into your head before long. This 400-page book covers every Southern dish imaginable -- from Not Yo Mamma’s Banana Pudding and It’s Just Gravy to Chicken with Drop Dumplin’s and Family Reunion Deviled Eggs. As we know already, you can’t worry about the waistline when cooking with Dean. So loosen your belt and enjoy. (Simon & Schuster, $29.99)
"The Cake Boy" -- Master patissier Eric Lanlard creates cakes that might intimidate both pros and novices. Yet his recipes and techniques are relatively simple, and it’s his practical approach to creating such beautiful baked goods that makes this book very accessible for at-home baking. So instead of shopping at high-end pastry shops, try making your own madeleines, lemon meringue cupcakes, pistachio macaroons, or lime and lemon drizzle cake. (Mitchell Beazley/Octopus, hardcover, $19.99)
“The Macy’s Culinary Council Thanksgiving & Holiday Cookbook” -- This keepsake cookbook not only features beautiful color pages of food and recipes from Macy’s 13-member dream team, but also includes a 14-page tribute to the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with historical facts and photos. But after the parade comes the real treats with recipes from culinary experts such as Cat Cora, Todd English, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck and Marcus Samuelsson. Each chef has their own themed chapter on topics that include holiday brunch, a dumpling party, Hanukkah dinner, the cookie exchange and more. Find treasured recipes and ideas for holiday parties through New Year’s. (Book Kitchen, hardcover, $24.95)
“Gone with the Grits” -- We’re not sure that Scarlet or Rhett had much of an appreciation for grits, but maybe that’s the point of this cookbook, to take basic stone-ground grits and make them something kind of fancy. There is, after all, a recipe for grits caviar and grits pate. Atlanta area cookbook author Diane Pfeifer has written country songs for Debby Boone and Roy Clark and has even toured with Tammy Wynette, but her true passion at the moment is cooking up recipes for cakes, casseroles, breads, custards and beyond, that all feature you guessed it -- grits. In addition to her cookbook, she offers Grits Bits, bite-sized grits biscuits (available in cheddar, jalapeno, Vidalia onion and sweet cream butter). Both available online as at gritsbits.com and some local food retailers. ($9.95, biscuits $3.95)
“The Slow Cook Book” -- During the fall and winter, many of us pull out our trusty slow cooker, which helps ease our time spent in the kitchen. But before you go judging the often predicable slow-cooked meals, give these recipes by food writer Heather Whitney a try. First off, the first 40 pages are devoted to photo-illustrated techniques and tips. Whitney goes on to share 200 recipes that go beyond chili and pot roast. Examples include monkfish and white wine stew, risotto with mussels, braised oxtail with star anise, turkey mole and Mexican meatballs. (DK Publishing, hardcover, $25)
“Adventures With Chocolate: 80 Sensational Recipes” -- This book is so beautifully done that it will mesmerize even the least of chocolate lovers. If you’re a beginner, you’ll be pleased to know that chocolatier Paul A. Young starts at, well, the beginning, offering a guide on different types of chocolate, tasting, blending and pairing. You’ll then go on a journey that includes caramelized red-onion and rosemary truffles, wild mushroom ganache and Venezuelan chocolate chile chicken. And don’t be intimidated by those names as most of the recipes can be made with limited ingredients and effort. (Kyle Books, hardcover, $24.95)
“Good Eats 3: The Later Years” -- For 14 seasons, Georgia’s Alton Brown has entertained and educated Food Network viewers with his geeky scientific approach to food. This latest volume offers a hefty mix of recipes, trivia, step-by-step illustrations and, of course, fun and interesting fast facts. Early next year, Brown, who lives here in Marietta, will end his TV show Good Eats. Luckily, there are three editions of the book Good Eats to help you figure out some of those common kitchen conundrums. (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, hardcover, $37.50)
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