Cooking In Stilettos...
Sunday, December 7, 2008 Gift Alert: Nordstrom's 'Flavors' Cookbook...

Do you have a cookbook aficionado on your gift list and are wary to buy any cookbooks in case they "might have them"? Even better, are they a fashionista and loves all things Nordys?



Well, here is the gift that they wouldn't expect.



Nordstrom has a cookbook called "Flavors" by their executive chef, Michael Northern, and has recipes from their popular cafes. During my Philadelphia trip when Reese, Meowmix and I had lunch in the Nordstrom Cafe, I flipped through the pages and immediately added it to my Santa list. The recipes are top notch, the photography is amazing and it's written for the home cook.



Check it out here and, of course, you can get cash back.

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Posted by Lys :: 3:38 PM :: 0 comments

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Saturday, August 23, 2008 Save The Date: Barefoot Contessa's Back To Basics To Be Released

You can tell the holiday shopping season is approaching by the number of things becoming available for pre-order.
One thing that is sure to be a hit this season is the latest offering from Ina Garten aka the Barefoot Contessa. Her new book, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: How To Get Great Flavors From Simple Ingredients, will be available for sale on Oct. 28, 2008. Not a bad idea for a holiday gift for that person that adores cookbooks or even yourself.

When it comes to fabulous dishes made from simple ingredients, Ina Garten has it down pat. I adore watching her show on the Food Network and think that some of her tips have definitely helped me with my cooking prowess over the years. You know I'll be having this shipped to me as soon as it's available.

[Pic courtesy of BN.com]

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Posted by Lys :: 12:54 PM :: 2 comments

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Saturday, August 16, 2008 Save the Date: Giada's Kitchen Set For Release

Now THIS is some news... September 30, 2008 guess where your gal will be? She'll be leafing through the latest cookbook from Giada de Laurentiis - Giada's Kitchen: New Italian Favorites.

You can pre-order it from Barnes & Noble and, if you really are adventurous, combine it with any coupons and cash back for that little extra somethin'.


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Posted by Lys :: 9:14 PM :: 0 comments

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Saturday, June 28, 2008 Deal Alert: Tastebook Offers 15% Off For July 4th..

As I've mentioned before, Tastebook is an amazing website where you can create a cookbook for recipes that you love or want to try. Where else can you find everything from Epicurious, Gourmet, Food Network and your favorite celebrity chefs i.e. Giada De Laurentiis, Tyler Florence, Emeril, Barefoot Contessa, etc. and have them delivered to you in a cookbook designed by YOU?

It's one of my favorite sites and, while I already have a cookbook called Cooking In Style, I'm taking the plunge and compiling another called, what else, "Cooking in Stilettos". In there are recipes from some of my favorite chefs which I use time and time again along with some family recipes and recipes that I find around the way.

Well, Tastebook is having a promotion in honor of the upcoming July 4th email. If you use the code "JULY4" at checkout, you get 15% off. It's only good til July 7th so hurry up and take advantage of this great offer.

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Posted by Lys :: 1:48 AM :: 0 comments

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Friday, May 30, 2008 Philly Recap: 9th Street Italian Market

During my trip to Philly a couple weeks ago, I took Saturday morning for myself and did something I always wanted to do - wander the Italian Market during one of the busiest days.

Here in Orlando, our access to fresh spices, etc. is a bit limited and we can get spices from the Fresh Market but it's not the same. So that Saturday morning, I went and wandered up and down 9th street. My main object of interest was the Spice stores. I had seen Ms. Patti Labell profile them on her show Livin' It Up and thought "I Must Must Must Go". So, I parked the rental car on a side street, popped on my flats and went walking.

First thing I encountered: Fantes. Yes - THE Fantes. Well, one of them anywayz. I go to the website often but like my first experience with Sur La Table, I told the people - let me fondle, let me wander - I'll find you for help - trust. And wander I did. Meowmix joked that only I could go to Philly and get excited over a pasta colander instead of shoes. I know, some of you are in shock but ever since I saw Nigella use one I thought "Wow - how handy". And, it's not found in Orlando. I found some rosette forms, fondled some pots, bought some gratin dishes (which the cranky salesgal didn't wrap very well and wound up breaking - grrr) and a few other things. I was hoping to get my Global Cheese knife but they didn't have it and it would have to be specially ordered. I'll just get it online.

Bonus: inside Fantes, they had a little coffee shop and some cafe au lait later I was back out and wandering the Italian Market again on the hunt for the spices shops.

I found two spice shops, both of which were amazing. One of which was the Spice Corner and the other was the Italian Market Spice Company (their website isn't up yet). There I bought so many spices my car smelled like a tangine. I bought curry, Nigella seeds, tarragon, rosemary, ancho chile powder, tumeric, and a host of other stuff that was so fragrant and fresh. I even found Pumpkin Spice Coffee.

I wandered in some of the shops on the side, marveled at the fresh produce lining the streets and just breathed in the sights and smells. I went into one of the butcher shops, Orlando's Meats (hey - it said Orlando - I had to pay homage, no?). It was in there that I spied The Philadelphia Italian Market Cookbook for sale. This was something I could take home with no problem from the airline. Also, before you shoot me for going to the butcher, here in Orlando we have Publix, Fresh Market and yeah - that's about it. *sigh* You don't know how I wanted to shake some of the people whining in line to say "Be thankful you have such a resource. You'd be eating some funky chicken if you were in Orlando" (Have you EVER had Winn Dixie poultry :::shudder:::) The manager of the butcher shop gave me an autographed copy that I've been reading with amazement. For an Irish/Indian gal, I swear I must have been Italian in another lifetime because it just is a fascinating read.

After browsing some other shops, I left, vowing to go back again. And this time - I'll bring a list and ship everything home via mail.

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Posted by Lys :: 12:04 AM :: 4 comments

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Giveaway: Flayin' It Up - Mesa Grill style...

OK Cooking in Stilettos readers - are you prepared for the onslaught of summer? Want to try some new and fresh recipes from Food Network's Bobby Flay?

Well, I have one copy of Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill Cookbook: Explosive Flavors from the Southwestern Kitchen to give away to ONE lucky reader. I have and adore this cookbook and know that you will love it too.

So, wanting to pass the wealth along to you - here's what you have to do. Leave a comment with one of your favorite summertime recipes in THIS post only with your email. I will pick out a random winner on June 1st via Randomizer and announce it here and then zip off the cookbook to you.

Bobby Flay and summer: two things that go together VERY well.

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Posted by Lys :: 5:35 PM :: 6 comments

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Saturday, March 29, 2008 Patience Isn't Always My Forte...

While wandering through Costco last night (after a hellacious week), I was greeted by THE Cookbook - The Sur La Table Cookbook that I whined to y'all about having to get.

And I couldn't resist. I had to get it after flipping through it (and it was cheaper than the full price) I think some of my other cookbooks are about to be retired. This one is a-m-a-z-i-n-g for the beginning and intermediate chef.

What's a gal to do? I don't, necessarily, have the patience to wait by the mailbox. I'll just put that $24.95 towards something else fabulous for my kitchen...

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Posted by Lys :: 2:05 PM :: 0 comments

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Thursday, March 27, 2008 B[u]y The Book: "Things Cooks Love"

There are two cookbooks that are on my "Must Have" list - the Anniversary cookbook from my favorite grocery store - The Fresh Market and Sur La Table's "Things Cook Love".

As a huge lover of all things Sur La Table, I was thrilled to hear that they have their first cookbook, "Things Cooks Love" available on their website. I don't know about y'all but I know with me - I'm not only a shoe-a-holic, but also a cookbook-a-holic. I have cookbooks scattered on bookshelves, in my kitchen, in boxes - you name it. It takes a push from above to get me to part with any of them (and yes, I did - no more Rachael Ray or Paula Deen in my house - just a personal choice - that's all).

If you buy it today from their site - you can get an autographed copy for $24.95. Saving money too - so in the cart ready for checkout!

From their site:



We’re thrilled to introduce our new cookbook, Things Cooks Love. It’s a true celebration of food—more than 300 pages packed with wonderful recipes from around the world plus tips, techniques and in-depth looks at ingredients, tools, cookware and more. From selecting the perfect chef’s knife to preparing Cornish hens al mattone, if you love to cook, this book will become the cornerstone of your global kitchen.


Introductory special $24.95. Will be $35.00 after May 31, 2008.


You can see the Cookbook Preview Here.

Now - tell me is your curiosity is peaked just a little? What's YOUR favorite cookbook?

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Posted by Lys :: 6:42 PM :: 0 comments

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Sunday, March 23, 2008 Tastebook - How I Heart Thee...

A couple months ago, I learned about the lovely site that is known as TasteBook.

See, if you are a cookbook fanatic like me, there sometimes isn't enough room for all the lovely cookbooks one encounters. Or, perhaps, you have recipes that you use that you found online, but cooking via a laptop isn't always convenient when counterspace is at a premium (as I found out tonight).



TasteBook houses your favorite recipes, both oldies and new finds, recipes from some of your fave chefs like Nigella, Giada, Bobby Flay, etc. and sites like Epicurious, Self and Gourmet, in one convenient site. Each tailored cookbook is in a binder with 100 recipes and it will be printed just for you - tailored with your choice cover and your title.

My first cookbook was Cooking With Style - the next on its way to me is, what else, but Cooking In Stilettos. Would you expect anything else of yours truly - thought so. So, if you want to make a cookbook that is ultimately for you - why not check out TasteBook.com and then you can make some serious magic in the kitchen.

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Posted by Lys :: 10:13 PM :: 0 comments

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