Adventuring through the Amazon (dot.com)

It's tax refund time.

I've spent the last couple of days pondering my cookbook collection

It's raining. Again.

I've got some time to kill, an internet connection, a web browser and some 'found' money. Time to wander through the Amazon…

Half an hour later, I've stuffed my virtual cart with goodies to keep me occupied in the kitchen, come rain or come shine...

The first thing to capture my attention is the latest add-on to my trusty Kitchen Aid. Hmm. Freeze the bowl for 15 hours. Add the batter, let the mixer run for 30 minutes and produce 2 quarts of soft serve ice cream. I'm thinking my 7-year old nephew could handle that. Click. Add to Cart.

What to do with an ice cream maker attachment when the Bay Area refuses to let go of winter and slide into spring? Beth's divine looking Girl Scout Cookie Ice Cream, is first on my list. Followed quickly by this interesting Pine Nut Honey Ice Cream that I found in the Traveler's Lunchbox and Miss Tenacity's Banana-Mango Ice Cream It can rain until July... I'm letting go with love and marching on toward summer!

But I digress. Returning to Amazon, we move to the book section. Just a couple of things to curl up with under a blanket with a nice glass of wine (or a bowl of homemade ice cream)...

I've been eyeing the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market Cookbook since I saw a teaser ad in the fall. Peach Bruchetta with Blue Cheese
and Arugula Salad with Shaved Aged Gouda and Satsumas are just two of many recipes causing me to drool all over my keyboard. And I love the way the book is organized -- alphabetically within each season, with selection, storage and preparation tips preceding the recipes. Yum. Click. Add to Cart

Chef, Interrupted has intrigued me since I saw it on Chika's blog in February. Take recipes from renowned chefs all over the country. Pare them down so that they're readable and executable by the food-obsessed home chef. If Chika's photographs are any indication, we're going to have fun with this one. Click. Add to Cart.

With an intro written by Alton Brown and commentary from Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and David Rosengarten, I knew Ted Allen's The Food You Want to Eat was going to contain recipes I wanted to make presented in a format I want to read. Maybe this rain thing's not so bad... Click. Add to Cart.

The Barefoot Contessa and The Best Recipe: Restaurant Favorites are two titles oft-recommended by foodie friends, and welcome additions to my kitchen bookshelves. Click. Click. Add to Cart.

Now... armed with months worth of culinary inspiration... off to the kitchen...