The smell of a pie baking in the kitchen immediately conjures up feelings of comfort, nostalgia, and love. Michele Stuart vividly remembers standing at her grandmother's apron hem as a child, as she fine-tuned (and improved ) family recipes that had been passed down for generations. Eventually, Stuart's lifelong passion for pie-making inspired her to open what would become the world-famous shop Michele's Pies.
You don't have to travel to Michele's Pies in Norwalk and Westport, Connecticut, though, to taste Stuart's mouthwatering creations. "Perfect Pies" shares nearly eighty delicious recipes, many of them National Pie Championships winners: There are desserts bursting with fruit (Country Apple Pie, Blueberry-Blackberry Pie), crunchy with nuts (Chocolate-Pecan-Bourbon Pie, Maple Walnut Pie), cream-filled delights (Coconut Custard Pie, Lemon Chiffon Pie), and pies perfect for a party (Ultimate Banana Split Pie, Candyland Pie). And let's not forget Stuart's sensational savory creations, from Lobster Pot Pie to Quiche Lorraine to Italian Wheat Pie. Stuart also passes along easy recipes for Hot Fudge Sauce, Raspberry Jam, and Whipped Cream to top it all off.
Stuart's secret, she says, is that her pies are "made by hand with love," but she doesn't neglect to advise you on the basic kitchen tools you'll need as she reveals essential tips and techniques, from how to roll out dough to the best way to make light and flaky crust. And of course she stresses the use of fresh, seasonal fruits and other wholesome ingredients. "The best pies are the ones that keep it simple," Stuart notes. So whether you're a pie novice, a weekend baker, or a seasoned pastry chef, "Perfect Pies" will help make everything you bake worthy of a blue ribbon.

Make way, cupcakes--it's whoopie pie time Everyone is falling in love with America's classic sandwich treat--two soft cookies with a creamy filling. Now, baker extraordinaire Claire Ptak, a pastry alum of Berkeley's famed Chez Panisse and proprietor of Violet, her own baking company, takes the humble whoopie pie to new heights.

Here are 60 irresistible recipes--made with fresh, seasonal ingredients--that show home bakers how to make the components for more than two dozen distinctive, flavorful whoopie pies: Classic whoopie pies, including Chocolate with Fluffy Marshmallow Filling, Chocolate Chip with Chocolate Marshmallow Filling, and Carrot Cake with Cream CheeseIced and glazed treats such as Walnut Whip, Coconut Cream with Coconut Swiss Buttercream, and Meringue with Chestnut Cream whoopie piesTopped and drizzled indulgences from Blackberry with Blackberry Cream to Banana Cream Pie with Vanilla Custard CreamFrozen and chilled varieties such as refreshing Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Mint with Frozen Mint Chip CreamHoliday-themed desserts like Easter Egg and Spooky Halloween whoopie pies--and much more

More than 75 gorgeous full-page photographs showcase every recipe in this book, which also includes a handful of Claire Ptak's other not-to-be-missed sweet treats, including Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies and Easy Chocolate Macaroons."The Whoopie Pie Book" will inspire and guide every time the whoopie-pie urge hits

50 fabulous grilling recipes, from starters to desserts, in an attractive, affordable full colorpackage.
Inside a giftable trim package that is perfect for Father's Day, "Everyday Grilling" presents 50 deliciously inspired grilling recipes alongside full-color photographs and detailed instructions that will allow your entire meal to be grilled.
From meaty classics to vegetarian-inspired dishes, recipes for savory and sweet include everything from American-inspired fare to enticing Greek, Asian, Italian, and Mexican-fused dishes. Consider dining on Grilled Tuna Nicoise with Anchovy Vinaigrette to start, followed by a main course of Lamburger with Grilled Red Onions and Feta alongside an accompaniment of Smoky Eggplant. Finish this decadent meal with Grilled Nectarines served with Creme Fraiche Ice Cream and Crushed Amaretti. Certain to inspire nourishing and flavor-filled dishes, grilling beginners and enthusiasts alike can expect more from the grill with "Everyday Grilling."

Since its 1990 publication, Rose's Christmas Cookies has been a phenomenal success. Who can resist Chocolate-Dipped Melting Moments Cookies or moist Mini-Cheesecakes with Lemon Curd . . . or David Shamah's Jumbles, a fabulous cross between a chocolate-chip cookie and a chunky candy bar bursting with raisins, chocolate chips, and pecans. Whether you need a cookie to decorate your tree or grace your mantelpiece (cookies like Stained Glass or Christmas Wreaths), a sweet to send (Mahogany Butter Crunch Toffee, Maple Macadamia Bars), or a special holiday treat for your dinner party (Praline Truffle Cups, Chocolate-Pistachio Marzipan Spirals), you'll find that perfect something here. Complete with 60 cookie recipes and a color photograph of each cookie for handy reference, this easy-to-use and fun-to-read book will result in scrumptious, festive, and splendid-looking cookies every time.

A collection of delicious and flavorful frozen treats made from simple, natural ingredients easily found in most pantries from Brooklyn's beloved and wildly popular ice cream emporium.The Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream Book includes ice cream recipes for every palate and season, from beloved favorites like Vanilla to adventurous treats inspired by a host of international culinary influences, such as Masala Chai with Black Peppercorns and Apple Crumble with Calvados and Creme Fraiche. Each recipe--from the classic to the unexpected, from the simple to the advanced--features intense natural flavors, low sugar, and the best ingredients available.Determined to revive traditional ice cream making using only whole ingredients sourced from the finest small producers, Ben, Pete, and Laura opened their ice cream business in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, with little more than a pair of buttercup yellow trucks. In less than a decade, they've become a nationally recognized name while remaining steadfast to their commitment of bringing ice cream back to the basics: creating rich flavors using real ingredients.Richly illustrated, told in a whimsical style, and filled with invaluable, easy-to-follow techniques and tips for making old-fashioned ice cream at home, The Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream Book includes captivating stories--and an explanation of the basic science behind these delicious creations. Enjoy these irresistible artisanal delights anytime--The Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Book shows you how.