Inspirations + Discoveries

Cookbooks

It's been a while since I’ve bought a cookbook. With all the recipes available online and chefs to follow on social media, I have more recipes saved than I will ever have the chance to cook. But these two books stood out to me and I was compelled to purchase them.

I was already planning to travel to Basque Country for a yoga and gastronomy retreat when The Book of Pintxos by Marti Buckley started trending and pintxo bars began popping up everywhere. I felt very much ahead of the curve. However, I didn’t know much about the history and culture surrounding pintxos. This book is informative and fun, taking finger foods to a completely different level. It’s filled with great ideas for cocktail party entertaining, and if you haven't discovered Txakoli yet, look for this summery wine to complement your pintxos.

Sebze: Vegetarian Recipes from My Turkish Kitchen by Özlem Warren aligns perfectly with my love for fresh, vibrant vegetarian cuisine. Many of the recipes use vegetables that I have growing in my garden, making it easy and satisfying to prepare these dishes. The book offers recipes that are perfect for leftovers or for enjoying on the beach, with dips and grain salads that are ideal for hot days and my busy summer schedule. The beautiful photos in Sebze make me want to travel to Turkey even more—it’s been on my bucket list for some time. Anyone want to join?