The Homemade Pantry by Alana Chernila. Clarkson Potter, 2012. (Adult nonfiction)
I'm not sure if holiday baking got me started on this book or not, but you'll be inspired, too, in just looking at the photographs! The author is a young mother who wants to make healthier foods for her family. The real beauty is that she makes readers care about wholesome food without spending a lot of time in the kitchen or grocery store. The pages describing the processes, inspiration, and family moments are just plain delightful and fun to read. She tells about how works and what didn't work. Flip the page and you often find a gorgeous photo and recipe. Chernila includes "tense moments" to guide the novice cook through the steps of preparation. She defines terms, includes an index, gives descriptions of useful tools, and really just covers the bases well. Essays on canning, for example, give extra information. I can't decide if I love the essays more or the photographs or the practical information and recipes. Let's just say it all combines into one of my favorite cookbooks ever!
