16 Volumes Worth Staining

By Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero Marlowe, $27.50; 250-plus recipes

The hipster duo who host the Post Punk Kitchen podcasts have injected their hefty collection with chatty attitude and a little self-deprecating vegan schtick ("Broccoli and cauliflower: Since this is what everyone thinks vegans live on, why not prove them right?"). There are some seriously good recipes with broad appeal, such as Jicama-Watercress-Avocado Salad With Spicy Citrus Vinaigrette and Chili Chocolate Mole.

There are also some annoying pale subheads and white text on colored boxes that make reading the recipes more difficult than necessary. The cookbook closes with helpful "Menus for the Masses."

(A vegan cookie recipe from the book will be featured in our cookie issue next week.)

NOT YOUR MOTHER'S SLOW COOKER: RECIPES FOR ENTERTAINING

By Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann Harvard Common Press, $18.95; 300 recipes

As promised, Hensperger (with co-author Kaufman) has delivered the third paperback installment of her slow-cooker series, geared to coaxing more ambitious food and drink from the Rodney Dangerfield of appliances.

Hence, the "Electric Punch Bowl" chapter offers 29 ways to make warm beverages for a crowd, and entrees rise above the usual chilis and stews, with non-slow cooker recipes for complementary side dishes and salads.

Unexpected lagniappes include recipes for slow-cooker spiced nuts, dessert fondues and poached fruit.

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ARABIAN DELIGHTS: RECIPES AND

PRINCELY ENTERTAINING IDEAS

FROM THE ARABIAN PENINSULA