Most wanted cookbook: Small Plates & Sweet Treats

I have the most wanted cookbook of 2012 in my hands. When Small Plates & Sweet Treats: My Family’s Journey to Gluten-Free Cooking by Aran Goyoaga arrived in the mail it felt like early Christmas. I don’t think I have ever been more excited about a book before. I’m totally in love with the book and have given it a prominent place on my coffee table. I have been following Aran Goyoaga for some time through social media, and on her internationally successful blog Cannelle et Vanille. She is my role model and inspiration when it comes to food styling and food photography. In her photos, she can make an apple look special. What I also like is how she photographs her visits to the farmers market, her garden and the way she prepares it. Her recipes appeal to me because she always uses fresh produce and seasonal fruits and vegetables. The fact that it is also gluten-free is a nice bonus.

Aran Goyoaga’s blog Canelle et Vanille gets millions of hits annually. In the blogosphere, she is a highly respected blogger and inspiration to many people – even non-food-bloggers- for her unique and colorful way of photography, and her personal and heartwarming writing style. And now she has also her first book with 120 new recipes. Each recipe is obviously accompanied by a sumptuous photograph, perfectly styled by Aran herself.

In the introduction she shares her story about becoming gluten-free, how to use the book, and some basic knowledge about ingredients and equipment. The book is then cleverly divided in four seasonal chapters (autumn, winter, spring, summer) and each in two sub-parts: small plates and sweet treats. I just love this approach and how she let the seasons be her guide to the best available ingredients. It makes the book easily searchable and enables you to find approachable recipes with ingredients you’ll easily find in that particular season.

Aran, originally from the Basque region of Spain, was inspired by the Spanish tapas (small plates) and  her background as a professional pastry chef (sweet treats) when compiling this book. You’ll find recipes for savory tarts, hearty soups and stews, creamy puddings, and crunchy cookies, all gluten-free. It’s a cookbook to cherish and use for everyday meals as well as for party menus. Watch her video at the end of this post, and you’ll be even more inspired!

Small Plates and Sweet Treats: My Family’s Journey to Gluten-Free Cooking, Aran Goyoaga, published by Little Brown and Company, October 2012, 304 pages, ISBN 978-0-316-18745-9

Photos © Aran Goyoaga

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