giftfoodies From sunny barbeques to pot luck dinners and lavish lunches that go on well into the evening, Christmas day is all about opening presents and stuffing ourselves silly. And in fact, what better way to combine the two than to search out the perfect gift for the foodie in your life? From the spices and herbs of Balinese cooking to recipes from the master of gastronomic fusion, Ferran Adria himself, our resident culinary expert Chris Gordon selects her best Christmas gifts of the season:

c4fe95d50d469145_Adria_Ferran_Family_Cookbook The Family Meal
Ferran Adrià

I’m not a huge fan of cook books with unobtainable recipes listed as if we, the domestic cook struggling to bring a nutritious yet delicious meal to the table, are able to cope with steaming, frying and braising all on a Tuesday, so I was sceptical when I picked up Ferran Adrià's The Family Meal. Adrià, as you know, is considered the most imaginative and outrageous chef of our time and his restaurant elBulli was considered the world’s greatest. Let me eat my words, however (pun pun) because there is even a recipe for rice pudding in this marvellous easy-to-follow cook book. How easy? There are photos of every single step for every single recipe in this book, and there are menu plans and there are recipes that my 11 year old son will love to both cook and eat. This cook book is for anyone and everyone.

Have a look inside the book

margaret-fulton-christmas Christmas
Margaret Fulton

Margaret Fulton, bless. Need I say more? This wonderful woman has been showing us what to do, and what to eat for years and we love her for it. Her practical approach takes all the drama out of cooking. This collection of recipes centred around the festive season includes treasures and classics such as duck a l'orange, rich Christmas Cake, and bread sauce.

And here I have wonderful news for you – if you buy this book now at Readings Carlton to plan your Christmas feasts then you receive a free copy of Eating and Drinking Melbourne 2012 and right there is another gift taken care of. Thank you Hardie Grant! (But get in quick - this offer is only while stocks last).

1001wines_halliday_LO_news James Halliday’s 1001 Wines under $20
James Halliday

James Halliday AM, has made a career of over 40 years from drinking wine. What an extraordinary life, but his gift, ladies and gentleman, is not drinking the wine but rather writing about it. The title to this book is a dead giveaway of what’s inside – simply put 1001 wines are listed here that cost no more than $20. There are not so many under $10 per bottle, with the average price seeming to be around $15. This is terrific collection of wonderful wines that would be the perfect gift pretty much for anyone over 18 years old. It’s the type of book one may even leave in their car for quick easy references when on the winery or bottle shop tour.

047055424X The Culinarian: a Kitchen Desk Reference
Barbara Ann Kipfer

My bloke loves to cook. He loves cook books, food magazines, new kitchen tools and cooking little fun surprises for friends and family. I know, I know - I’m lucky, but it doesn’t mean he knows everything (I know another surprise) about food. This book will help him become the Guru of the Kitchen. It's essentially a culinary dictionary that includes the differences between yams and sweet potatoes, that defines luncheon meat and nonpareil. If you know someone in your life that is striving to become a Guru of the Kitchen (and there is no shame if that person is you) then this is the must-have book for the season. After reading this book you, or your Guru in the kitchen will be able to drop such terms as chimichurri into the conversation as you chop parsley.

Rose_Petal_Jam_JPEG Rose Petal Jam: Recipes And Stories From A Summer In Poland
Beata Zatorska and Simon Targets

With a title so sweet and reminiscent of a time past let this book take you a journey to the foothills of the Karkonese mountains in Poland. The recipes are gathered from memories of family times spent in the garden gathering. You are right to think cabbage and beetroot, but also think seeds, petals and sweet pancakes. a wonderful collection of recipes and photos.

9781742610610 Bali: The Food of My Island Home
Janet De Neefe

Like the tastes of Bali this book is filled with exotic and richly coloured photos of scenes, food and the people of Bali. the recipes are quick and easy and the smells that waft from your kitchen will bring your neighbours in. After all, it is food to be shared and that is exactly the Balinese spirit that is captured so beautifully by author Janet Dee Neefe.

Have a look inside the book

More Christmas Gift Ideas:



chris Christine Gordon is the Events Coordinator for Readings and is a committee member of The Stella Prize. She can be contacted at events@readings.com.au.