cookbooks

Though some would say that summer is a time to get out of the kitchen, we think that it is one of the best times to start a culinary project. Farmers markets sort of rule in June-August. Summer also marks a time of many cookbook releases. Let us cut through the clutter and suggest seven titles that are worth their salt — and maybe worth investing in a salt block because of. 

Since 2008, Lee Frank and Rachel Anderson have run Nachos NY, a website dedicated to exploring what the duo calls the “ultimate shareable food.” We spoke with them about the definition of nachos, and what the hell is up with strawberry, basil and mascarpone entering the equation.

QVC stand-and-stir-and-sell program In The Kitchen With David is a sort of 60 Minutes figure in the world of home shopping networks. The program, which airs on Wednesday at 9 p.m. and Sundays at noon, is highly influential. As our contributor Chris Chamberlain found out when he appeared on the program, the host David Venable can push units (to the tune of 1,000 copies a minute). In our interview, we found out what it's like to be David for the day.