Gwyneth Paltrow's Cookbook Picks

Didn't pick up on the Al Dente recommendation or on other kudos for Urban Pantry? The new cookbook from Amy Pennington, "a gal who defines cool in Seattle," just got a celebrity nod as well, with Gwyneth Paltrow giving it top billing in her latest "GOOP" newsletter. 

Paltrow praised the book in her list of summer cookbook picks, saying it's "full of clever recipes for using your kitchen to the max," and reprinting some of its tips and recipes, including an introduction to water-bath canning. 

As I write, the book has broken Amazon.com's list of top 100 bestsellers. Buyers are purchasing it along with some of Paltrow's other selections, including Sophie Dahl's cookbook, "Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights" and the "Recipes from an Italian Summer" book from the editors of Phaidon Press.

I've enjoyed seeing Pennington's other food and gardening projects, such as the Urban Gardenshare program, which I wrote about here, but the cookbook has been a particular pleasure. Pennington writes just the sort of recipes I like to make at home -- bright and full of good flavors, nutritious and economical, approachable even when they call for learning new skills. Who knew that Gwyneth and I had something in common?

Check out some of Pennington's recipes and Paltrow's other cookbook picks here.

-- Rebekah Denn