The Pacific Northwest is full of talented cookbook authors and chefs. Now home cooks can make favorite restaurant recipes in their own kitchens. Your local independent bookstore can get you the Pacific Northwest cookbooks you want, but foodie bibliophiles should also make the pilgrimage to cookbook-focused indie Book Larder in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle.
Here is just a taste of some great cookbooks from Washington restaurants:
- Plum: Gratifying Vegan Dishes from Seattle's Plum Bistro by Makini Howell. Howell's all-vegan Capital Hill restaurant is so elegant, fun, and delicious that even omnivores love it. These fresh and inspiring recipes are perfect for entertaining or just exploring the possibilities of home vegan cooking. Plum Bistro: 1429 12th Ave. Seattle www.plumbistro.com
- The Dahlia Bakery Cookbook: Sweetness in Seattle by Tom Douglas. Douglas's delightful scones, cupcakes, famed coconut pie, and more are in this bacchanalia of baked goods from one of Seattle's hottest restaurateurs (Etta's, Dahlia Lounge, Brave Horse, Serious Pie, Lola, Palace Kitchen, Seatown, Cuoco). Dahlia Bakery: 2001 4th Ave. Seattle www.tomdouglas.com
- Passion & Palate: Recipes for a Generous Table by John Howie. Stories and recipes from the chef of Seastar, SPORT, Adriatic Grill, and John Howie Steaks highlight the chef's giving nature and commitment to serving others, through food and community involvement. This cookbook was even recipe-tested by Seattle indie bookstore customers. Seastar: 2121 Terry Ave., Suite 108, Seattle or 205 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue www.seastarrestaurant.com
- Tender: Simple Ways to Enjoy Eating, Cooking and Choosing Our Food by Tamara Murphy. Murphy's earth-to-plate eating philosophy shines through in this beautiful cookbook, just as it does in her Capital Hill restaurant, Terra Plata. Terra Plata: 1501 Melrose Ave., Seattle www.terraplata.com
- Fried Chicken & Champagne by Lisa Dupar. Dupar's cookbook, like her Redmond restaurant and catering company, blends the elegant and accessible perfectly. Southern influences and Pacific Northwest ingredients combine in guaranteed crowd-pleasers like the homemade pop tarts and the tomato soup. Pomegranate Bistro: 18005 NE 68th St., Redmond, WA www.duparandcompany.com
Other Washington State restaurant/cookbook pairings to explore are Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream, Ethan Stowell's New Italian Kitchen, Rover's: Recipes from the Chef in the Hat, Leslie Mackie's Macrina Bakery & Cafe Cookbook, and Washington Food Artisans (with recipes from places as varied as the Parfait ice cream truck to Tulio Restaurant in downtown Seattle).
