Cookbook Spotlight

"New Vegetarian: More Than 75 Fresh, Contemporary Recipes for Pasta, Tagines, Curries, Soups & Stews and Desserts"
By Robin Asbell
Photographs by Yvonne Duivenvoorden
Chronicle Books 2009
Buy it on Amazon

Though it may lack meat, vegetarian food shouldn't have to be lacking in flavor or nutrients, especially when eating local, seasonal produce is currently such a culinary focus (thanks, Alice Waters!). And though the "New Vegetarian" cookbook may have some unexpected flavoring pairings (edamame quesadillas, cabbage omelettes, anyone?), they're headed in the right direction, with an emphasis on fresh produce, protein substitutes and an interesting flavor palate.

See what we tested and whether the book is worth buying after the jump.

'Salt to Taste: The Keys to Confident, Delicious Cooking'
By Marco Canora with Catherine Young
Photographs by John Kernick
Rodale -- 2009
Buy it on Amazon

If you've never had the experience of eating a meal at Marco Canora's restaurant Hearth in New York's East Village, this book brings that soulful experience to you. If you have eaten there, you'll certainly want to pick up this book to recreate that experience at home. With "Salt to Taste," Canora gives you the skills to fill your kitchen with some of the Tuscan magic he plates at the restaurant.

Canora uses his wisdom at chef to explain what works in restaurant kitchen and what will work in your kitchen at home. He lays out the steps to making pasta at home and gives you three separate recipes for the dough -- each with its own specific use. Although that may sound complicated, it's not at all -- it's actually quite smart. And the chef also shares a variety of red sauces to show the complexity of Italian cuisine.

Filled with straightforward dishes that are the building blocks of wonderful Italian feasts, this cookbook is equal parts cooking inspiration and teacher. As the subtitle implies, there's definitely a level of confident cooking anyone can learn from this book.

See what we tested and whether it's worth buying after the jump.

'The All-American Christmas Cookbook: Family Favorites From Every State'
By Georgia Orcutt and John Margolies
Chronicle Books -- 2008
Buy it on Amazon

Half of what makes the Christmas holiday special is the warm, familiar blanket of tradition -- the Christmas tree (real or faux), the music (Bing Crosby classics or modern hits), the food: eggnog or mulled wine, baked ham or roasted turkey, buche de Noel or peppermint pie. And "The All-American Christmas Cookbook" showcases the very best of festive dishes rooted in American tradition, from a lebkuchen recipe inspired by German settlers in Indiana to maple-walnut fudge from the syrup state of Vermont.

See what we tested and whether it's worth buying after the jump.

Photo: Amazon.com.

'The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions'
Recipes by Katie Lee
Photographs by Miki Duisterhof
Simon & Schuster -- 2009
Buy it on Amazon

"The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions" is Katie Lee's second cookbook, with an emphasis on holidays, seasonal celebrations and entertaining for crowds big and small. The book, broken down by occasion, includes a menu, complete with an appetizer, salad, main, side(s), drink, and dessert, along with a playlist and appropriate wine pairing.

Lee makes a point to demystify entertaining -- there's no need for a specific reason to celebrate or for un-needed stress. The "Party Tips" she shares in the book's introduction are simple tasks that should be included in every entertaining 101.

Southern comfort dishes like grits cakes, casseroles and biscuits are reinvented with flavorful ingredients like wild mushrooms, sage and Parmesan, while classics like fried chicken are presented as they should be -- untouched. Desserts like rustic apple pie, cheesecake, and chocolate-banana cream pie will have your sweet-tooth coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds). Don't have time to make the entire menu for dinner? Most side and main dishes can be made during the week to make this cookbook more versatile.

See what we tested and read our exclusive interview with Katie Lee after the jump to find out her favorite recipes and get the dish on the rumors of her own burger joint.

"Love Your Leftovers: Feed Your Friends & Family for Next to Nothing"
By various authors
Photography by CICO Books
CICO Books -- 2009
Buy it at Amazon

With Thanksgiving 2009 now over, many are already contemplating how to transform their leftovers. "Love Your Leftovers" offers welcome creations to use your leftovers in simple, delicious, unexpected ways -- provided your pantry is stocked with a few non-essentials.

See what we tested and find out whether the book's worth buying after the jump.