These days cookbooks aren't just for cooking and entertaining books are more than how to's. Because of the beautiful photography, many of these books are a feast for the eyes, feeding you with abundant eye candy, without ever lifting a spatula and shaking out a table cloth. If you're looking for gifts for foodies who are looking for beautiful, eye candy photos of food, and inspiration for creating beautiful parties in their own homes, look no further than this collection of eye candy books.
1. Sarabeth's Bakery: From My Hands to Yours
Rizzoli New York
2. Alberto Pinto Table Settings
PriceGrabber
This is a book will provide inspiration for anyone who enjoys looking at beautiful things and is looking for ways to create beauty on her own table when entertaining.
3. Paris Patisseries, History, Shops, Recipes
Price Grabber
This book is all about the crave-worthy visual appeal. It covers the history of pastry art in Paris with a review of timeless trends, as well as some of the newer ones. You'll find double page spreads of desserts and shops. The photographs are luscious, but with only 20 recipes from some of Paris' top pastry chefs and chocolatiers, it's merely a glimpse into the French art of creating desserts. However, the pictures of the pastry shops and desserts are spectacular and shouldn't be missed.
4. Intercourses, An Aphrodisiac Cookbook
Certain foods have the reputation for creating a romantic mood. "Intercourses" presents 17 of these aphrodisiac ingredients with a primer on their powers, sensuous recipes that incorporate them, and pictures that will complete the seduction.5. New French Recipes
Flammarion
6. Local Flavors by Deborah Madison
Price Grabber
This book is perfect for the locavore. Deborah Madison discusses her favorite farm markets while presenting a delicious assortment of recipes, organized by their seasonal appearance at market. The artful photos of fruits and veggies will tempt even a die-hard veggie hater.
7. Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics
Relax with this laid-back cookbook filled with practical tips from the queen of laid-back cuisine. The beautiful photographs will make you want to get into the kitchen or at least sit down at the table with Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa herself.8. Confetti Cakes
Little, Brown, and Company
9. I Like You, Hospitality Under the Influence
Warner Books
10. Martha Stewart's Hors D'oeuvres Handbook
The front third of this handbook is only photographs of the prepared recipes. The recipes follow in the back end. Sit down with this book when you want the experience of walking into a spectacular buffet and not knowing which nibble to select first. Tantalizing.11. Inspirations by Preston Bailey
Bullfinch Press
