Fall Random Bites & Cookbook Giveaways

A lot of cookbook giveaways today.....keep reading!

I don't like to bore you with my fig obsession, so I wanted to just get in this one last fig cake recipe before the season is over until next year........file it under Random Bites.


It was a delicious fig skillet cake, very simple, I modified the recipe from this Plum Skillet Cake on Serious Eats.
(I have been swapping in 1/2 cup of almond flour for the regular white flour to all my cakes for lighter and better cakes).


My figs are done for the season and many of you ask how my little tree winters over in NJ.

Most people who have mature, established fig trees here, wrap them in burlap to protect them during the winter and let them go into dormancy.

Because my tree is potted, we prune it, then leave it bare naked in a dark cellar stairwell with Bilco basement doors (sounds cruel), where it stays cool and dark all winter....no light, no water..........see you in April!



When it comes to fall, my transition from tomatoes is a tough one, but focusing on carrots, beets and squash makes the change easier.

Bright, beautiful heirloom rainbow carrots roasted to perfection with some golden beets and my luscious beet pesto.


Sprinkle of hazelnuts and the last of the mint plant in my garden.


October is always a busy food event month for me.

You know about my love affair with Yotam Ottolenghi by now.

He visited Williams Sonoma in my town with pastry chef Helen Goh, promoting their new cookbook SWEET, so I had to go and say hello.


The book is one of the best baking books I have seen in a while.
I have bookmarked at least 15 baking recipes, so look out for them (and look at that cake on the cover with FIGS!).


I am giving away 2 signed SWEET cookbooks to my readers, so just leave a comment at the end of the post......


I am also giving away 2 copies of my friend Liz's new book Recipes from Raine's Roost aka Jillian's Kitchen .


Liz is a USA Today contributor and a published romance writer and her new book is chock full of delicious recipes (and I am mentioned in the forward of the book!).


Next up a NYCWFF No Kid Hungry Benefit at the historic 21 Club in NYC with Philly chef Marc Vetri and Chicago chef Paul Kahan from The Publican.

The NYCWFF benefits many local charities, local food banks being one of their major benefactor.


The food was off the charts......pressed octopus on garbanzo beans; homemade almond filled tortellini with truffle butter; NY cheesecake; baccala cappuccino shooters!

The last giveaway are 2 signed copies of Publican cookbooks for you lovely readers.


All 6 winners announced Friday.

Ok, I am done rambling for the day.

:)

Comments

Jane M said…
WOW love all these cookbooks you posted - mainly BAKING! The first thing I learned in the kitchen waaaaay back was how to bake chocolate chip cookies and I have never looked back!
Katie C. said…
That “Sweet” book looks mighty tempting!
Anonymous said…
Hi Stacey!

Thanks again for the chance to win a cookbook.... would love the Sweet one!
That fig cake looks awesome.... love using almond flour as well

Michele S.
Those roasted carrots look amazing! I love how you cook seasonal and local, and your recipes are never boring. Thanks for keeping the Jersey nickname fresh in everyone's minds!
Anonymous said…


Good Morning Stacey,

I love your blog and I always look forward to every post. I have been cooking for
most of my life and I am constantly learning. You have contributed to my on going
education and knowledge and I know I would enjoy either cookbook since I value your
recommendations.

Best wishes always,

Paula A.
Unknown said…
I so enjoy reading your blog and often making something you posted.I enjoy reading and cooking from a new cookbook-would love a surprise!
Valerie Suhanosky said…
All the books look just terrific, and would love to have anyone for my collection...there is not enough time in the day to try all these great recipes! Thank you.
Ed said…
Good morning and thank you for this generous giveaway. I very much enjoy reading your posts and trying many of your recipes.
karen said…
Wow what fun foodie events and beautiful cookbooks. You could post a fig recipe every day and I'd be happy, I'm a fellow fig addict!
Carol Ann said…
Hi Stacey,
I would love the Sweets baking book.
I have been baking since I was around 10 years old.
I forget all my problems when I'm baking!!!
Warmly,
Carol Ann
w.blaine@comcast.net
Anonymous said…
Hi! Stacey,

Love your blog! I share your blog with many of my friends. I look
forward to seeing your posts daily and my family enjoys all of your tasty
recipes. Your date nut bread is a staple in our house:)
Gail said…
Me, Me, Me!!! Any of these cookbooks would satisfy my cooking desires. Looking forward to your Sweet recipes especially if I don't win that book.

Cheers.
Unknown said…
I have made so many of your recipes over and over again. Thank you!
I have one of Ottolenghi’s other cookbooks and I love it!!! All of these cookbooks look delightful and I’d love the chance to get my hands on one.
Donnie Richard said…
I have a huge fig tree in my back yard, but here in Louisiana the season is early July.
Diane Hoey said…
Your roasted carrots look delish. Thanks for aiding thetranstion from summer to fall veggies. I too struggle with it. Any of the cookbooks would be a delight to own. Thanks.
Unknown said…
hi stacy,
i always look forward to your blog and instagram posts! would love any of these books as i'm always looking for new recipes and inspiration - one of my faves of yours is 'curried chicken & veg for a crowd' - always gets rave reviews! best regards, linda
DR R said…
Thanks for the opportunity...would love the PUBLICAN book...love his restaurant in Chicago.

I read your blog daily.

Thanks,
Dr. R
Naomi said…
Naomi.

I would love any of these books, thanks Stacey....I love your blog, and hope you never quit!

Judy Biniaris said…
Hi Stacey,

Love reading your blog! How exciting a cookbook give -away. Always like to add a new book to my collection. Judy Biniaris
I love cookbooks and probably have more than I need. But I use them and one of my really guilty pleasures is sitting in the afternoon with a pile of cookbooks and dreaming of what I can make next...
Unknown said…
Stacey, I would love to win one of the cookbooks. I am looking forward to more baking, etc. Keep blogging! I love seeing your posts!
Noelle Blizzard said…
Stacey would love love love to win one of the books. Thanks for all the great summer inspiration, it was a busy (tasty!!) season in my kitchen with your help. Noelle
Unknown said…
Would love any of these cookbooks! Planning on "roasting everything" and a turkey breast tomorrow night. Loved your instagram as well today!
Amen Kahwajy said…
Great post, although it will be a while before I say anything tops those Paris posts. Loved the Instagram today, seeing the veggies before the baking and plating was fun. Just started dinner using that combo idea
Thanks!
Love your blog and have a cook book obsession. Food porn. I am making your roasted cauliflower and chick pea recipe tonight. I live on Lamb Island off the coast of south east Queensland Australia. Raining here for the last few days so baking up a storm.
Lisa Walker said…
Hi Ms. Snacks -
Would love any of the cookbooks, they all look wonderful! And keep the fig recipes coming, I have three trees I am nursing along and hope one year I will finally get some.
AuntBeth said…
I would love any one of them!
Susan Reynolds said…
Susan here.
I just love your blog, been a reader since day 1 in 2008!

Hope to win a book, would love the Sweet book.
Thanks!
Ciao Chow Linda said…
You have had a busy month lady. I was drooling over that food at the dinner prepared by Mark Vetri, and your fig cake looks delicious too. Just bought more almond flour today. It tastes so great in cakes. Speaking of which, I can't wait to get my hands on the Sweet cookbook, after eating a dynamite coconut almond cake earlier this month at Ottolenghi's Restaurant in London's Spitalfields neighborhood. I hope the recipe is in the book.
Desiree said…
Always look forward to your tasty fig recipes! The SWEET cookbook has lots of great recipes. Great tip about the use of almond flour.
Anonymous said…
Thank you for the giveaway. Love all of them and love figs!
Lali said…
Hi Stacey,
One can never have too many cookbooks and I would be happy to receive any of them. If I am chosen and it is available I would love to have a copy of Sweet for my sweetie. She loves to bake and just recently made a chocolate cake recipe by Ottolenghi that was to die for and is now interested in exploring their baking recipes. I have all of his other cookbooks so this would be a welcome addition to my collection.
I have been a faithful reader of your blog for many years. Most of my tried and true recipes are from you. Thanks so much for your hard work ...it is much appreciated by me and all of your adoring fans. Rosie
Carol L. said…
Love Figs. The Sweets book with the awesome picture got my attention. Anyone of these cookbooks would be welcome. Thank you for your post and wonderful giveaway chance.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) AOL (dot) com
Stephanie said…
I loved reading how you winterize your fig tree! I can't wait to tell my mom. Maybe she'll get one that I can benefit from.

And by the way, I saw that pressed octopus dish on Instagram and I wondered what it was. Visually stunning and I'm sure delicious.
Unknown said…
Your blog is in my favorites bar and I check it everyday... I love your style of cooking and your salmon burgers recipe... it's permanently in my repertoire of meals!
I would love a new cookbook for inspiration as we head into the cold weather when our farmers market has pretty much closed until next spring... you have taught me to cook with local, seasonal produce... thanks!!
Valerie
Ginger said…
Beautiful books. Thank you for sharing. I appreciate your blog and your creativity. Thank you for being so faithful in contributions. And thanks for letting us come along on your Paris trips. You keep me inspired!
Joanne said…
This Floridian, former "jersey" girl reads your blog every morning with my first cup of coffee. I was up in Philly a year ago and dined at VETRI. Incredible experience. I have never won anything and probably won't win a cookbook but I love your vegetable dishes. I try them all and hope you'll do a cookbook someday so I can have the recipes all in one place. Can't wait to try the carrot with beet pesto. Thanks again for doing what you do!

Chelsea14 said…
Hey Stace, enough smooze, I need that book!!!!! Listen Jersey Girl, have a blessed day!
Jane H said…
Those cookbooks all look amazing! I checked out Sweets in my local bookstore this week and all the recipes look delicious. I, too, love Ottolenghi!!! I'm envious of your fig tree -- I like north of you in NY and my fig tree (2 years old) produced 8-9 figs this year, but none of them are ripe :( I'm so disappointed. I've bought a bunch, but no home grown. Hoping for better luck next year. Thanks for giving away these cookbooks!
HelenJackson said…
I have loved your blog for a long time now and would enjoy any cookbook if I could be one of the lucky ones.
Anonymous said…
Hi Stacey I've been following your blog for a few years now. I live on the west coast of Canada in Vancouver so your blog is always waiting for me in the morning when I wake up. It is always inspirational and gives me great ideas of what to make that day or week for dinner/lunch or what have you. I especially enjoy your instagram feed when you are in Paris which is also one of our favorites places to visit. It is very kind of you to be giving away some of your favorite cookbooks. Sweets looks and sounds very interesting. Take care and keep up the great blog!
Rose
roseblamey@shaw.ca
GottaEAT said…
Never miss your Blog! You are the Best Cook in My Book! Your Giveaways sound Absolutely Divine..would Not mind receiving one at all! ;)
XOXO
Unknown said…
Made some baked figs wigh goat cheese and a balsamic drizzle this weekend for appetizers. Love figs at this time of year!!! Also love your cookbook giveaways.
Marnie said…
Love your recipes and use so many of them regularly! Yotam is one of my go-to chefs for great dinners and I would love to win his new book....or any of the cookbooks. Thanks for the giveaway.
Bebe said…
My goodness! Putting out a gift offer creates a nice rush!

I would love to win this baking book, but have almost never won anything. Sigh.

But here I am, out here in the crowd, ever hopeful.

I love your site. I love your approach to food. I love Paris and the way you write about it.

Thank you for the gifts you give us almost every day…

Bebe
J said…
Thanks Stacy for your kind giveaway! Any of your cookbooks would be great to win! Keep up your great recipes!
J said…
Thanks Stacy for your kind giveaway! Any of your cookbooks would be great to win! Keep up your great recipes!
Lisa Faley said…
Hmmm I don’t think my first comment went through....

I too am loving using almond flour! I made an apple crumble for (Canadian) thanksgiving that was better than any I’ve made before! I have tried replacing with oat flour too, but it’s much more dense. Hoping the Sweet cookbook has some more flours to play with in baking. Always enjoyable reading of your travels, treasure finding and of course still my #1 go to for cooking inspiration! Where do we sign the poll to keep you blogging!?
Anonymous said…
Leslie:
Tank you for doing this giveaway. I have used many of your recipes, and you have never steered me wrong. So I believe you when say the books are good ones.
leslieannstevenson@yahoo.com
Sandi said…
Ottolenghi - oh my! His food awakens the palate and
the soul. Love your blog, Stacey.
Love that cake. I want to bake more than figs, but I am unfortunately the only fresh fig lover in my house. I'd hear complaints about why I'm baking stuff only I like!
Anonymous said…
Hi, Stacey!
Sign me up for the give-away,
Your faithful LA reader, Dennee
Unknown said…
I'm moving to Chicago tomorrow. I need the Publican cookbook, please.
Mary Ann said…
Me. Me. Me. Pretty please
NATHALIE B said…
Hi Stacey
I would love one of those books , always looking forward to read your recipes and most of all to test them all ...
They are always so good .. thank you for sharing
Nathalie B
deb fann said…
What great cookbooks! Give me ALL THE FIGS!!
Anonymous said…
Thanks Stacey for all the wonderful recipes you post and for the great giveaway! I grow most of the veggies you use and enjoy making your creations! Blessings from Cathy in Idaho
momof2boyz said…
That fig cake looks amazing!
Sarah King Head said…
All the books look amazing! I love your blog ... and have been following it (and trying the recipes successfully) for years now!
Patsy said…
Wait for me!! I was a little side tracked and forgot to post. I hope Ottolenghi asked you for your fig cake recipe. His looks good, but your's.....just saying.
Elizabeth said…
HI Stacey, your blog was a go-to site when I needed to figure out what to do with some figs from my CSA last week. Thanks for all you do!
Laura S said…
Wow, so much fun, so much goodness!!!!