Houston’s vibrant culinary scene is captured beautifully in five cookbooks by some of the city’s most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs. These cookbooks offer a delicious way to bring Houston’s diverse flavors into your kitchen, whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out.
#1 - Masala: Recipes from India, the Land of Spices
James Beard Award nominee Anita Jaisinghani invites readers into the colorful and flavorful world of Indian cooking in her book “Masala”.
Locally, Jaisinghani serves up delicious cuisine at her Houston restaurant Pondicheri.
Her cookbook is a celebration of bold spices and fresh ingredients, perfect for those looking to explore something new and exciting at home.
“Expect to be wowed with new flavors and combinations, such as Saffron Citrus Pilaf, Coconut Lassi, Jackfruit Masala, Vindaloo Ribs, Avocado Mushroom Chilla, and Smoked Eggplant Raita,” reads the description of the cookbook on Amazon. “Masala will change the way you think about Indian cooking and the way you use spices in the kitchen.”
🛒 Purchase “Masala: Recipes from India, the Land of Spices” here
#2 - Brennan’s of Houston in Your Kitchen
“Brennan’s of Houston” beautifully blends Creole and Texas flavors that celebrate the rich culinary heritage of the Gulf Coast. Chef Carl Walker’s cookbook includes recipes for iconic dishes like turtle soup, New Orleans-Style Pralines, and bananas foster, bringing the spirit of Brennan’s into your home.
🛒 Purchase “Brennan’s of Houston In Your Kitchen” here
#3 - Julep: Southern Cocktails Refashioned
Craft cocktail maven Alba Huerta serves up dozens of bespoke cocktail recipes ranging from the classic Mint Julep to more recent concoctions like Liquid Currency and Snakebit Sprout. Find 80 recipes including instructions on how to whip up bar snacks your guests will love in this book from the woman serving up drinks at Houston’s James Beard award-winning cocktail bar Julep.
🛒 Purchase “Julep: Southern Cocktails Refashioned” here
#4 - Ciao Tuscany - Recipes from the PBS Series, Cucina Toscana
Their names are renowned on the Houston restaurant scene - Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola. They also are on the covers of multiple cookbooks.
The Carrabba-Mandola family is tied to many popular Houston-area restaurants including Carrabba’s, Grace’s, Mia’s Table, and more.
“Ciao Tuscany” - explores the flavors of Italy with 150 Tuscan-inspired recipes, including everything from appetizers to desserts.
- “Ciao Sicily” and “Ciao Y’all”, are from the same cookbook series, and are also available for sale on Amazon. With Gratitude, Johnny Carrabba Celebrating 30 Years of Recipes, Stories and Family is another cookbook released by Carrabba.
#5 - Cook Like a Local: Flavors That Can Change How You Cook and See the World
Before he was the host of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” on KPRC 2, the James Beard Award-winning chef was a restaurant owner and cookbook author!
“A cook with insatiable curiosity, he’s trained not just in fine-dining restaurants but in Houston’s Korean grocery stores, Vietnamese noodle shops, Indian kitchens, and Chinese mom-and-pops. His food, incorporating elements of all these cuisines, tells the story of the city, and country, in which he lives,” reads the Amazon description of the cookbook. “An advocate, not an appropriator, he asks his diners to go and visit the restaurants that have inspired him, and in this book he brings us along to meet, learn from, and cook with the people who have taught him.”
Just like the show “Eat Like a Local”, Shepherd’s book “Cook Like a Local” champions Houston’s diverse food scene and guides you to how you can explore global cuisine in your own kitchen at home.
🛒 Purchase “Cook Like a Local” here
Each of these cookbooks is more than just a collection of recipes - they are a gateway to Houston’s dynamic food culture. Whether you want to recreate your favorite restaurant meals or experiment with new flavors, these books provide inspiration and guidance.
Explore these cookbooks and bring a piece of Houston’s culinary magic to your table. Whether for yourself or as a gift, they are sure to delight anyone who loves great food and cooking!