Forget those tattooed bad boys and their foraged cronut foam: A significant number of this season’s cookbooks seem to have been penned by unassuming middle-aged white guys wearing sensible clothes and touting decidedly unexotic food. In the mood for (non-ironic) frozen cosmopolitans and (make-ahead) spicy peanut-butter slaw? Globe Style has just the new tomes for you.
Title
My Perfect Pantry by Geoffrey Zakarian with Amy Stevenson and Margaret Zakarian
Culinary philosophy
“In My Perfect Pantry, Geoffrey [a New York chef and Food Network personality] shows you how to use your pantry to jump-start any meal.”
Representative recipes
Elbow Macaroni with Crispy Bread Crumbs and Broccoli, Cinnamon Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting
Normcore rating out of 10
8 (Zakarian’s credentials, including The National in midtown Manhattan, are impressive, but definitely non-flashy)
Title
Harold Dieterle’s Kitchen Notebook: Hundreds of Recipes, Tips and Techniques for Cooking Like a Chef at Home by Harold Dieterle and Andrew Friedman
Culinary philosophy
“Incorporating his eclectic mix of New American, Italian, Thai and German influences, this cookbook offers restaurant-calibre dishes that can be easily prepared at home.”
Representative recipes
Roasted Whole Chicken with Spaetzle, Chestnuts and Persimmons, Warm Flourless Chocolate and Peanut Butter Soufflé Cake with Coffee Crème Anglaise
Normcore rating out of 10
7 (this chef and book are the sexiest of the lot, but chalk that up to Dieterle’s facial hair)
Title
Back Around the Table by David Venable, “QVC’s Resident Foodie”
Culinary philosophy
“Whether he’s throwing an elegant dinner party, hosting a couple of friends for Sunday brunch or just whipping up a simple supper on a weeknight, there’s kindness and care behind the food David cooks.”
Representative recipes
Turkey Meatloaf, Bacon Cheese Straws, Frozen Cosmopolitans
Normcore rating out of 10
10 (that grey V-neck sweater on the cover is worth five or six points alone)