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It Must be Cookbook Season!
Date: Nov. 20th 2008
Category: Cookbooks, Brunch, Preserves
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While I would argue that every season is cookbook season, I don’t think there’s any question that that the lead-up to Christmas is probably one of the most intense times for cookbook authors and publishers.
After all, cookbooks make great gifts.
Ahem. Hint. Hint.
Anyway, it’s usually around this time that friends will begin asking me, “So, if you had to buy someone a cookbook for Christmas, which one would it be?”
This year, there will be a number of cookbooks that I’ll be recommending and the first is today’s feature: à la di stasio by Josée di Stasio.
A television personality from Québec, Josée di Stasio’s book was previously released in French and has now been released in English.
In the cookbook’s opening pages, di Stasio writes that “enjoyment is the key word of this book” and to be honest, I don’t think there’s any better way to state my impression of this cookbook.
I could go into detail about layout and pictures (gorgeous and more gorgeous, respectively). I could go on and on about variety and quality of recipes (extensive and very good, respectively), but truth be told, I’d just be wasting your time.
Here’s what you need to know: this is a book for the entertainer in you. You know the one that wants to spend weekends just hanging around the house preparing really laid-back yet delicious meals. The one that wants to have those dinner parties that are totally effortless and stress-free (yes … those do exist). The one that just wants to be happy in the kitchen. If you recognize any one of those people, then you’ll love this cookbook.
As for the recipes, while I only tried two of them, I loved them both.
One was so easy and and turned out so well that we all just shook our heads and thought, “Why didn’t we think of this?” Pictured above are Ham and Egg Ramekins with the “ramekin” being a slice of bread. Seriously. It took about 10 minutes to pull this breakfast dish together and everyone loved it.
The second recipe I tried was pure indulgence for me: Caramel Spread. After tasting this spread for the first time on toast, we just started eating it by the spoonful. It’s a keeper, for sure.
Well I’ve wasted enough of your time. Go buy the book and start having some fun!
Ciao!
Ham and Egg RamekinsFrom à la di stasio by Josée di Stasio.
Serves 4.
4 slices of whole wheat bread (trim off crusts)
1 tablespoon softened butter
4 slices Black Forest ham
4 large eggs
salt and pepper to tastePreheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Using a rolling pin, think out your slices of bread as much as possible (don’t go too thin or they’ll rip).
Divide the butter equally among the four slices and spread it on side of each slice.
On the unbuttered side of bread, lay a slice of Black Forest ham.
Carefully transfer the bread and ham to a muffin tin, making sure that the buttered side of the bread is the side that goes into the muffin cup.
Once all your bread and ham slices are in, crack open an egg and carefully drop one egg into each ham and bread cup.
Bake for 20 minutes and check the bread cups. If the egg is cooked, then remove otherwise keep it in the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
Once out of the oven, let rest for a few minutes before carefully popping out the bread ramekins. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
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11/20/08 at 1:45 am
I love her food show! I never miss one of them… That egg dish looks mighty scrumptious and so comforting and the caramel sauce is to die for!
Cheers,
Rosa
11/20/08 at 2:00 am
these breakfast items sound so delicious!! they look really good!
11/20/08 at 2:06 am
That caramel spread looks like it could be licked of the screen!! It’s always nice when bloggers review new books, though it makes me greedy too
Just a shame that people around me seem to think I don’t need more cookbooks… why I wonder, I keep telling them that you can’t have enough cookbooks…
11/20/08 at 4:45 am
What a creative breakfast combo!
Being from Canada, Im going to say that I have to have that cookbook
11/20/08 at 5:51 am
I never heard of this author, but will look to see if it’s in the bookstore, so I can see if it’s a “stocking stuffer.”
11/20/08 at 7:49 am
Ok, now I have another cookbook to add to my Amazon wishlist. Or see if the local library has it!
Those egg cups look delicious!
11/20/08 at 7:59 am
I love giving and getting cookbooks:) I think Dorie’s book is the perfect gift for the baker…and this year I will probably give out Anita’s new book!
11/20/08 at 8:03 am
The egg & ham ramekins are a genius idea! I’m drawn to the caramel spread but I know I couldn’t trust myself around it - you should have seen me eating dulce de leche by the spoonful when I made it the other day, sigh. I’ll try to resist!
11/20/08 at 8:40 am
I’m going to be asking for some new cookbooks for Christmas, so I always love to hear of good ones! This one definitely looks good!
11/20/08 at 8:47 am
I have enjoyed watching most of her shows in French and was delighted when her cookbook was published in English!
This book would really make a great Christmas gift. Great choice Ivonne!
11/20/08 at 8:53 am
I am making this Saturday……will let you know. Gonna be awesome. thanks, Adrienne
11/20/08 at 10:05 am
These photos are all food porn-worthy!!
11/20/08 at 10:15 am
wow great ideas this book seems to be really interesting. Hmm nice Christmas present eh. Have to hint for it than
11/20/08 at 11:14 am
What a great idea and an easy way to cook breakfast for a large group.
11/20/08 at 2:21 pm
Ciao Ivonne, grazie del suggerimento, lo cercherò in libreria. Io starò qui a Toronto fino a metà dicembre e mi farebbe molto piacere prendere un caffè con te. Se puoi ci possiamo sentire per email ed organizzare. Sto provando molto posti qui a Toronto dove si mangia veramente bene
Baci e spero di sentirti presto.
11/20/08 at 2:43 pm
I’m glad you discussed the Di Stasio book, I was thinking of getting it.. and you might have pushed me over the edge!
Those eggs look fantastic Ivonne, want to send some over to Montreal..?
11/21/08 at 12:48 am
These look like a wonderfully yummy breakfast treat! I must try it some day
11/21/08 at 6:29 am
Thank you so much for sharing that recipe! Not only does it sound and look very tasty, it will come in very handy for us. We sometimes need food on the go for our family of 6. These would be perfect as we can’t do anything with sugar (no granola bars, cereal, drive-thru, etc.) I’m thinking scrambled though for the kids, might get messy
11/21/08 at 7:01 am
Any chance you could post the recipe for that amazing looking caramel spread? !?
11/21/08 at 11:11 am
i don’t even eat ham but that ham and egg ramekin looks amazing!!
11/21/08 at 6:18 pm
I’m off to Amazon to buy this now. I just love cookbooks. I have way more than I need, but, not as many as I want.
11/21/08 at 8:32 pm
i want to drown in that caramel spread!
it reminds me of harsh winters in nyc; back then my roommie and i would pour gallons and gallons of caramel into our apple cider.
yum. yum. yum!!
11/22/08 at 5:02 pm
those ham and egg ramekins look really good.
11/24/08 at 4:58 am
I loved your “breakfast cups” what an eggsellent idea!
We’re off to Spain on Wednesday, ( 5 day culinary trip) so I’m thinking I could impress at breakfast? and no hanging around the frying pan.
I’m wondering if it would work as well with Danish bacon?
11/24/08 at 10:53 am
The black forest ham and egg ramekins were fantastic! I made them on Saturday, and loved them so much I had them again on Sunday. Thanks for posting the recipe; it is definitely a keeper.
11/24/08 at 10:47 pm
It is the season of cookbooks I am trying not to be seduced. Though you are making it very hard!
11/25/08 at 7:35 pm
This breakfast, a new cookbook….mmmmmm - the only thing missing is a mimosa.
11/26/08 at 6:11 pm
This looks very lovely especially the eggs mmmmm
11/27/08 at 6:33 pm
I am so gonna buy a cooking pan like that so I can try this recipe.
11/28/08 at 1:04 am
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