LOCAL Houston | The City Guide December 2016 | Page 40

HOLIDAYS BY THE BOOKS
READ ALL ABOUT THE SEASON'S HOTTEST GIFTS
By Beth Levine | Photography by Rebekah Flores

Ah, the holidays.

That time of year where we search far and
wide for what to get our friends and family as gifts. Fear not, we have the answer
to your prayers with these fantastic cookbooks that are truly the gift that keeps on
giving … just make sure whomever you give them to prepares some of the
delectable recipes inside these books for you.
First up on our list is one from Houston’s most recognizable restaurateurs, JOHNNY
CARRABBA of Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Founded by Johnny Carrabba and Damian
Mandola, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of dining in one of their
restaurants. (I personally am a sucker for their mussels appetizer.) Thi s November,
coinciding with their 30-year anniversary, Johnny released With Gratitude, Johnny
Carrabba, chronicling his family history, love for his staff, associates and customers,
and about 100 original recipes (and some new additions from sister restaurants
Grace’s and Mia’s). A great read that encompasses his humble background and
the sense of community that Houston offers, this book makes a great gift for the
holidays, even for yourself. Hardcover retails for $50.00.
Next up on the list is Miss Ella of Commander’s Palace. Brennan’s, the local establishment of Miss Ella’s New Orleans family, was one of the first restaurants I went to
when I moved to Houston. I had never even heard of turtle soup before moving here,
and had the pleasure of dining at Commander’s Palace for my 40th birthday. ELLA
BRENNAN turned 90 last year and is heralded by many in the industry as changing
the way America eats. More of an autobiography than a straight-up cook book (but
don’t let that sway you!), this fantastic read published in September offers a very
candid look into this remarkable (and feisty) woman’s life along with the insight into
the sheer grit and determination behind her restaurant empire.
Hardcover retails for $27.99.

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Next up, we come to ANTHONY BOURDAIN. Thanks in part to his recent visit
to Houston for his CNN show “Parts Unknown,” Bourdain has been on the
tip of everyone’s tongues lately (I watched the Houston episode at Axelrad’s
viewing party). Like most of us, I have been watching Bourdain for years; “No
Reservations” was one of my favorite shows. And I once reached out to his PR team
to see if he would do an at-home cooking event for my sister’s husband (he does
but trust me it’s pricey!). Appetites, his first cookbook in 10 years, hit shelves this
October, covering his 40+ years in the industry and traveling around the globe. The
book is a very entertaining read, encompassing home-cooking, cooking for guests
and Bourdain’s personal favorites. Hardcover retails for $22.50.
Rounding out our list is The Moon Juice Cookbook: Cosmic Alchemy for a
Thriving Body, Beauty and Consciousness by AMANDA CHANTAL BACON and
currently on the reading list of LOCAL’s own Carla Valencia. Bacon is the founder
of one of Los Angeles’s hippest wellness boutiques, and the book hit stores this
October. Focusing on her approach to healthy living, Bacon's beautifully crafted
book (seriously, this book is so pretty I almost didn’t want to give it back) details
more than 75 recipes that are as good for you as they are delicious. Her recipes are
designed to deliver a multitude of benefits, from enhancing your sex drive to your
immune system. As someone not artfully skilled in the kitchen (I am the queen of
takeout), I truly appreciated the layout of the book, guiding me through the basic
techniques of the Moon Juice way, so I hopefully knew what I was doing.
Hardcover retails for $30.00.