Let the library inspire your cooking adventures this winter. We have cookbook recs from around the world to food-related events and more.
Travel the world — through cooking
Find a new favorite recipe in a cookbook at the library. Whether you want to learn French dishes from Julia Child or try your hand at Gregory Gourdet’s global recipes for modern health, we’ve got options from all over the world to help you expand your culinary skills!
Some popular winter foods around the world include:
- Doro wat, a spicy chicken stew with eggs, served for holidays and other special occasions in Ethiopia.
- Latkes, potato pancakes fried in oil, served during Hanukkah in the Jewish diaspora.
- Longevity noodles, long noodles served unbroken to symbolize a long life in Chinese and other Asian communities around Lunar New Year and other holidays.
- Muhindi, or corn, one of the symbols of Kwanzaa representing children, sometimes served in holiday menus by African American families who celebrate Kwanzaa.
- Salat Olivier, a salad with potatoes and other ingredients, often made to celebrate Novy god, or New Year in many Russian-speaking communities.
- Tamales, made with masa and filled with different ingredients then wrapped in a corn husk, served during winter holidays in Mexico.
- Twelve grapes in Spain, eaten as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve for good luck in the coming year.
Gather with community for food events
Join us for cooking programs at libraries in winter and year-round. It’s a great way to learn new techniques, get out into the community and maybe even make a new friend. These cooking programs are led by local chefs and culinary experts.
Examples of food events at the library include:
- Savory soup-making workshops.
- Cakepop classes in Spanish.
- An overview of cookies from around the world.
- Crepe-making classes for teens.
- And many more!
Celebrate your culinary legacy
If you’ve got a treasure trove of your own incredible recipes, or gems from your family’s past, make sure to take advantage of library resources. If you want help making a family cookbook, don’t forget you can print up to 100 black and white pages per day and can use computers for four hours a day at the library — all for free. It’s a great way to pass the cold winter hours when you’re stuck inside avoiding another atmospheric river!
Whether you want to find a new dish, learn a technique at a class or share some good recipes of your own — we can’t wait to see you at the library.
World Cuisine for your table
Looking for recipes that transport you to far away lands without the jet lag? We have you covered. These cookbooks will introduce you to new tastes, cultures, and delight your palate.
