Still on the hunt for a gift to appease your favorite foodie? We've got you covered. I Love Bacon! ($19.99) by Jayne Rockmill is not only a fun tribute to our favorite, flavorful fatty food, but it's also a compilation of 50 amazing pork-enhanced recipes and a means for giving to charity--yeah, a portion of the proceeds go to Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength.
Rockmill called on Water Club's Andrea Curto-Randazzo, Meat Market's Sean Brasel, caterer and former Top Chef contestant Micah Edelstein, caterer Sandra Stefani, Allen Susser, and Michelle Bernstein, all of whom donated recipes. (We'll share instructions for Curto-Randazzo's roasted tomato and smoked bacon bisque tomorrow, just in case you haven't quite completed your holiday menu planning.)
Cat Cora, John Besh, Ming Tsai and other nationally recognized chefs also participated, providing recipes covering the gamut from brunches, soups, salads, sides, entrées, and cocktails to desserts. (Chocolate-bacon cupcakes, anyone?) And Rockmill even provides instructions for readers who wish to attempt making their own bacon from scratch.
This hardcover may be a bit tricky to find since it has already sold out all 25,000 copies the first week it launched, but Books & Books in Coral Gables and Miami Beach have copies, some of which are autographed by the author and local chefs, and some remnants may still exist at Urban Outfitters and Crate & Barrel stores. And, as of 11:30 a.m. today, websites for Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders still have stock. The bottom line is, if you find a copy pick it up but leave one for another hapless hunter. Yes, in other words, don't be a pig.
Oh, and if you aren't quite sure if the aforementioned giftless foodie friend is Jewish and possibly also keeps kosher, just tell him or her that Rockmill is a member of the tribe and the book isn't technically traif. That ought to wipe the guilt off you.
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