YA Friday: Cooking for the Holidays

Non-Fiction Edition

The holidays are a fantastic time to enjoy homemade food with friends and family.  Maybe you'd like to bake cookies for your friends, or attending a potluck.  Whatever you might want to cook, the library has lots of cookbooks to help you get started.  We have books on cuisines from all over the world and for every cook, from complete novice to expert.  In this post, I will highlight some books we have in our collection that have some great recipes for a holiday party.

Let's Get Cooking!

Cheeseburger made of rice kripie treatsTreat Yourself!: How to Make 93 Ridiculously Fun No-Bake Crispy Rice Treats by Jessica Siskin

Rice Krispie treats are an easy, no-bake way to make desserts.  Jessica Siskin, Instagram sensation misterkrisp, shows you how to turn the treats into edible works of art!  You can make the treats into a turkey for Thanksgiving or a snowman or gingerbread man for a winter gathering!  There are 93 different designs, from apples to zebras, and the difficulty level is noted on each design.  With this book, you'll be able to make a tasty dessert that will look great in your social media feed.



The author smiling and cutting vegetables on a cutting boardCook with Amber: Fun Fresh Recipes to Get You in the Kitchen by Amber Kelley

YouTube star of "Cook With Amber," Amber wrote this book with teens in mind.  With a focus on being fun and healthy, this book is brimming with recipes that you'll enjoy making!  There is a whole section of the book devoted to food you can cook with your friends, including a whole Thanksgiving meal.  Additionally, there is a section on dinners that transform into lunches, for example you can have Grilled Steak and Veggies for dinner, and turn the leftovers into a Steak and Veggie wrap for lunch the next day.



Book cover with SaturnThe Geeky Chef Strikes Back: Even More Unofficial Recipes from Minecraft, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Twin Peaks, and More! by Cassandra Reeder

Maybe you want to watch your favorite show or movie and enjoy some themed snacks.  The author has a popular website which gets updated regularly with fun, fantasy-world inspired recipes.  This book includes pumpkin juice from Harry Potter, and foods inspired by all sorts of fandoms, including Minecraft and Game of Thrones!



Book Cover with Author who is rolling out doughNerdy Nummies Cookbook: Sweet Treats for the Geek in All of Us by Rosanna Pansino

YouTube star Rosanna Pasino's cookbook is full of sweet treats that are deliciously nerdy, and look as good as they taste!  The sweets included in this cookbook would be welcome at any gathering.  Try making Geode Cupcakes, or check out the wide variety of cookies she has for something unique (Hashtag Cookies, 20 Sided Dice Cookies, and Unicorn Poop Cookies to name a few).



Cover with smoothies and sandwichesThe Green Teen Cookbook : Recipes for All Seasons -- Written by Teens, for Teens edited by Laurane Marchive and Pam McElroy

This cookbook was written by teens for other teens interested in pursuing an eco-friendly lifestyle and includes tips for eating on a budget in an environmentally friendly way.  The "Snacks and Sides" section includes some recipes that sound like they would be great at a party; for example. Mini Pizzas and Fried Tofu with Peanut Dipping Sauce.



Pumpkin PieI [love] Pumpkin: Comforting Recipes for Cooking with Winter Squash by Ryland Peters and Small

This book isn't from the YA collection, but nothing says Autumn like pumpkin spice everything! However, we may have reached peak pumpkin spice a couple of years ago.  Broaden your pumpkin horizons with this cozy cookbook.  Explore both the sweet and savory dishes using pumpkin.  Some of the recipes sound like they would be great for holiday parties - Spiced Pumpkin and Feta Phylo Parcels, Pumpkin Scones and Pumpkin Cheesecake!