As a former pastry chef, I love to browse the cookbook section of the San José Public Library and see what baking cookbooks catch my eye.  Or I browse virtually by going to the catalog and entering a pastry related term, such as baking, desserts, cookies, cakes and so on.  On my latest search, I tried cake pops and some of the results looked familiar.  The top result was Cake Pops by Bakerella.  Some of you may be familiar, as I am, with Bakerella through her popular blog.  That made me wonder if SJPL had cookbooks from some other popular pastry and food bloggers.

There are many interesting, informative, frequently updated food blogs from talented and creative people online.  Some of my favorites provide detailed instructions and pictures on how to get the same results as the blogger.  Using cookbooks authored by these bloggers can really enhance the experience of replicating their creations.  See below for a few recommended blogs and the cookbooks that you can check out from SJPL.

• Angie Dudle aka Bakerella’s blog is all about sweets and treats.  She shares lots of recipes and tips, along with many beautiful photos.  SJPL has both of Bakerella’s cookbooks, one of which is also available as an e-book.

Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks, and Recipes for More Than 40 Irresistible Mini Treats (also available as an e-book)

Cake Pops Holidays

• The Decorated Cookie is about more than just cookies (although there are plenty of those).  Among other things, blogger Meaghan Mountford explores cute decorated marshmallows, and “stuff on sticks” as she puts it.  Her creations are most often whimsical and colorful, and always fun to look at.

Sugarlicious

• Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen features a wide array of both savory and sweet recipes on her blog, and every one that I have tried has been a winner.

The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook

• And although Callye Alvarado of The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle does not have a cookbook out yet, I would feel remiss not including her wonderful blog in this list.  She has some of the most beautiful and doable sugar cookie designs that I have seen.  I am especially impressed with her fun Star Wars cookies. Definitely check it out.  And feel free to share some of your favorite cookbooks and blogs in the comments.

 At this time of year, nothing warms me up like a nice hot bowl of soup or stew.   I love to cook, so even though it would be very easy to just go to a store and choose from the varieties they offer, I like to make a big batch of soup or stew and have it to eat with a sandwich for lunch or for an appetizer at dinner for several days.  Since I also have high blood pressure, I am also conscious of the amount of fat and salt that can be in those packaged soups and stews and can adust the amounts of those ingredients.   Interested in making a big pot of comfort food to warm you up on a cold winter night? Come check out our selections of cookbooks.  The variety of soup and stew recipies will astound you--from delicious creamy soups to hearty, "meaty" stews.    You may even find a new favorite recipie to keep your tummy  warm and full on a cold, damp winter night. 

Perhaps you’re wondering what’s with the growing hype over raw foods lately. Maybe you’ve seen books, websites, or products proudly proclaiming “raw.” A raw food diet consists of raw, unprocessed, and preferably organic ingredients. It’s typically a plant-based diet of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts, although some choose to incorporate raw dairy and meat. Like any diet, there are variations; some strive for 100% or mostly-raw diet, while others just want to incorporate more raw foods into their existing diet. Moms everywhere have been telling their kids to “eat their greens,” and common sense tells us that a hearty salad is a smart lunch choice, but why go raw?

Raw food advocates believe that high temperatures above 105-114 degrees destroy many of the natural enzymes and minerals found in uncooked foods. Among various other health claims, there’s also the theory of raw food alkalinity, which purports that a diet consisting of primarily raw, unprocessed foods restores your body’s pH levels to a healthier alkaline range. If this sounds nutty, consider this: Even the USDA’s new “Choose My Plate” campaign recommends that you fill half of your plate with fruits & veggies. It makes sense that you should opt for fresh, unprocessed options over fried or sugar-coated counterparts when you can, right?

Are you curious about the kale chips or raw cheesecake you’ve seen at grocery stores like Whole Foods, but run away in horror when you see the hefty price tags? Since many of these specialty raw items take a lot of time to prepare and consist of various high-quality ingredients, they’re going to set you back considerably more than their cooked counterparts. Fear not! The good news is that raw foods don’t always have to be overly time-consuming or expensive when you choose to make your own. The library has some great raw foods cookbooks full of recipes for salads, soups, wraps, smoothies, and even unexpected dishes like pizza, pasta, and cookies. I've enjoyed Ani Phyo's playful recipes, as well as Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr. While personally I won’t be taking the all-raw plunge anytime soon, I enjoy incorporating at least one raw meal or side-dish into my daily routine, whether it’s a green smoothie for breakfast, a colorful salad for lunch, or my personal favorite, a decadent raw dessert.  I’ve found many raw foods recipes to be healthy, tasty, and just plain fun to make! If you’re still not convinced, I’ll leave you with one of my recent adventures, recipe courtesy of the Post Punk Kitchen. Cheesecake speaks louder than words.

Not having much time or energy at the end of each day to cook, I found I needed help putting something together with the ingredients I had at hand. I found help from my old Betty Crocker “Big Red” cookbook. What I like best is that everyday ingredients are used so when I buy an herb or spice for one recipe I know I’ll use it again. Here is a list of Betty Crocker cookbooks either at your local San José Library branch or available for request. You’ll see that Betty has changed with the times to include more healthful recipes as well as topical cookbooks. You can even find a “biography” of Betty, Finding Betty Crocker by Susan Marks, in which was quite fun to learn how Betty Crocker was “born.” In the meanwhile, I’m going to watch my mailbox for Betty’s 11th edition of her “Big Red.”  I’ve pre-ordered it and I can’t wait to see which of my favorite recipes have been kept and which have been revamped! Meet you in the kitchen!

Friends of the Tully Community Branch Library Book Sale

Date Time: Monday, August 1, 2011 - 10:00am - 5:00pm

Location: Tully Community Branch Library

The book sale takes place on the first Monday of each month except holidays. We have children and adult books/CDs/DVDs including fiction, non-fiction, & Vietnamese language . All proceeds will benefit the Tully Community Branch Library. If you have any question, please call Chieu Nguyen at 408-808-3030

Cookbook Book Sale

Date Time: Wednesday, August 3, 2011 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

Location: Almaden Branch Library

From appetizers to zucchini breads- ideas to get your mouth watering.  Hundreds of wonderful cookbooks, with recipes from a variety of countries.

Friends of the West Valley Library Book Sale

Location: West Valley Branch Library

Date Time: Saturday, August 20, 2011 - 9:00am - 3:00pm

Gently used books and media will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the West Valley Friends of the Library. Members may enter at 9am; the general public may enter at 10am. Memberships will be available at the door for purchase.

Friends of the King Library Book Sale

Date Time: Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 10 am to 5 pm, $1 hard covers, $.50 of covers

Sunday, August 28, 2011 - 1 pm to 5 pm, $5 a bag day (Friends will provide bags).

Location:  King Library (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library)

Room & Floor: Patio by the Friends Bookstore

All sales are held outside of the Friends Bookstore on the patio. Free parking is available in the 4th Street Garage.  The revenues from these sales are donated to the Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Library for a variety of different programs that benefit the community.  For more information on the sales or to volunteer, please contact our Book Store at 408.808.2681

Throwing a big fancy 'do, but in a pickle as to what to create for dessert? Never fear! Twinkies to the rescue! Here you have The Twinkies Cookbook: An Inventive and Unexpected Recipe Collection. Tired of the same old bean and cheese burrito? Have a Twinkie burrito instead! Maybe you like a crispy-crunchy sensation? Mmmm, let's go for Deep-Fried Twinkies with Raspberry Syrup! Have trouble getting your kids to eat a filling, nutritious breakfast? Twinkie Pancakes are sure to please! Mama-mia, what about my pasta? Hey, give Twinkie Lasagna a go! You've heard of Pigs in a Blanket? Try Pigs in a Twinkie instead! Julia Child has had her fifteen minutes of fame; now give in to your inner Roseanne Barr! Yay, Twinkies!