Still More to Savor

Here's an array of even more cookbooks that we think would make your holiday feasting delicious and plentiful, a couple of which we reviewed earlier this year!

Bioethics philosopher Peter Singer invites readers to reassess the traditional dinner spread in Consider the Turkey (Princeton Univ. Press, $9.95), a succinct yet well-researched treatise on the industrialization of what has become a holiday staple. While some of the chilling details of his nonetheless persuasive argument may be tough for some to swallow, Singer closes out this eye-catching book-length essay with an appealing variety of plant-based alternatives to the turkey-based feast, including recipes for a seitan turkey substitute with a pie-crust "skin" as well as a vegan mushroom gravy. Meanwhile, for those disinclined to the kitchen altogether, Singer suggests bringing up any of his points as a topic of discussion during "those awkward silences that can occur." After all, what festive gathering is complete without a bit of lively tableside conversation?

Eleven Madison Park by Daniel Humm (Voracious, $275) offers the chance to bring one of the world's most ambitious fine-dining experiences into the comfort of your own home. This extraordinary three-volume boxed set features food wisdom from the first and only plant-based restaurant to win three Michelin stars. With its detailed recipes for seasonal menus, art portfolio reflecting Chef Humm's creative process, and Ye Fan's photographic documentation behind the scenes, this is a cookbook as much as it is an event, suitable for the kitchen and the coffee table alike.

Popular TikToker Owen Han, author of Stacked (Harvest, $29.99), appreciates a special devotion to the sandwich, devising sumptuous recipes for any meal time: "If the ingredients are stackable with a flour/bread component (yes, including tortillas and cookies), and if it can be eaten out of your hands (or sometimes with a fork and knife), it's a sandwich in my (literal) book." He concocts delectable meaty stacks, like a steak au poivre and frites hoagie, as well as plant-based Dagwoods like a crispy and spicy eggplant sandwich. But before tucking in these flavorful wonders, he offers a wealth of insight about best tools and techniques for preparation, as well as a primer on the wide array of breads to wrap around your favorite sandwich contents.

It's not often that the word incandescent is used to describe a cookbook, but one look through JoyFull: Cook Effortlessly, Eat Freely, Live Radiantly (Simon Element, $35) will reveal why it's the perfect description for this one. Radhi Devlukia-Shetty effervescent personality soars throughout its 125 delicious and nourishing plant-based recipes. Main dishes, snacks, drinks, and sweet treats: each dish is simultaneously nuanced, playful, and comforting. Tempting options include an Iced Matcha Tahini Latte, Chai Oatmeal, One-Pot Lemony Spaghetti, and Baklava Cheesecake. Vibrant, beautiful photographs of family and food fill this cookbook and add to the immersive, evocative experience.

In Sesame, Soy, Spice, Remy Morimoto Park shares many recipes inspired by her background: Korean on her father's side and Japanese and Taiwanese on her mother's. Her cookbook reflects this variety with an array of delectable meals, snacks, and sweets. Recipes include Shredded Korean BBQ Bulgogi Tofu, Garlic Smashed Potatoes with Shishito Peppers, Crispy Rice Salad, Popcorn Tofu, and Matcha Madeleines. With easy-to-follow recipes, explanations on where best to source specialty Asian ingredients, and inviting stories to explain how Park came to create each recipe, Sesame, Soy, Spice is a truly lovely cookbook. It's irresistible and perfect for vegan and gluten-free eaters, but it's sure to have a broader appeal for foodies and home cooks as well.

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