{Hi friends! With the holidays nigh upon us, I had to share with you the gift my mom-in-law gave me last Christmas that became my favorite under the tree. I can’t even tell you how many pleasurable hours I spent curled in front of the fire with this gorgeous, around-the-world-tour-and-recipe book open on my lap. I savored each of these grandma’s food stories, often salivating over their recipes from virtually every continent.

The author-photographer does a superb job of succinctly capturing the story and unique dish offered by these women, each extraordinary in her ordinariness. Plus, I loved the clever way he planned his photo shoots and organized the sequence of shots. Taking clues from clothing, decor, and ingredients, I had fun guessing which country each grandma hailed from before turning the page to learn the answer. Surprise: 4 out of 5 times, I guessed wrong.

So, this Christmas, if you’re seeking a thoughtful, original gift for that elusive recipient on  your list, consider this one. Especially highly recommended for any traveler and/or cook. I’m willing to bet my skillet she’ll be as tickled as I was.}

In Her Kitchen: Stories and Recipe from Grandmas Around the World by Gabriele Galimberti

About the book: (from the publisher) In a keepsake volume, Gabriele Galimberti’s beautiful portraits of grandmothers from all over the world with their signature recipes illustrates the universal language of food and family.

On the eve of a photography trip around the world, Gabriele Galimberti sat down to dinner with his grandmother Marisa. As she had done so many times before, she prepared his favorite ravioli. The care with which she prepared this meal, and the pride she took in her dish, led Gabriele to seek out grandmothers and their signature dishes in the sixty countries he visited.

These vibrant and intimate profiles and photographs pay homage to grandmothers and their cooking everywhere. From a Swedish housewife and her homemade lox and vegetables to a Zambian villager and her Roasted Spiced Chicken, this collection features a global palate: included are hand-stuffed empanadas from Argentina, twice-fried pork and vegetables from China, slow-roasted ratatouille from France, and a decadent toffee trifle from the United States. In Her Kitchen is an evocative, loving portrait of these cherished family members and the ways they return that affection–no matter where in the world you sit down for dinner.

Winner of the James Beard Award for Photography

About the author: Gabriele Galimberti is a photographer whose work has appeared in Newsweek, Le Monde, and Vanity Fair, among other publications. In 2013, he finished an eighteen-month photography trip around the world. His photographs and stories have led to partnerships with illy and CouchSurfing.org and have appeared in slideshows on Slate. No matter where he currently rests his head, he calls Italy his home.

Connect with the author: Website | Facebook | Instagram 

Genre: Non-fiction/Cookbook/Photography/Keepsake Book

[bctt tweet=”For that elusive gift recipient on your list: IN HER KITCHEN #keepsakebook #recipes” username=”KatherineSJones”]

Buy it here. 

After words: What was your favorite gift last Christmas?