Books That Cook: 300 Sensational Soups, Simple Italian Snacks ...

TITLE: 300 Sensational Soups by Carla Snyder and Meredith Deeds (Robert Rose, $24.95; 384 pages)
Generally speaking: This is a thorough guide for homemade soups. Very little, if any, convenience products are used in these recipes. Oh, there may be a can of crushed tomatoes or a teaspoon of dried herbs there, but every other ingredient is fresh. There are even recipes for croutons and thai prawn salad other garnishes to go along with some soups. Don't let the prep work scare you away. This book include recipes appropriate for all skill levels.
For: Soup lovers who may be in a rut. They will find plenty here to augment their regular repertoire. Try some of the dessert soups, too.
Recipes: Pumpkin soup with ham and Swiss chard, roasted summer vegetable soup, Sicilian fish soup, farmhouse-fresh chicken soup, sausage stuffed pepper soup, curried Indian dal soup, cream of broccoli soup with bacon bits, lamb and lentil soup, chicken soup with tomatoes, wine and salad crisper orange, black-berry and white chocolate soup, and chilled minted melon soup.

TITLE: Simple Italian Snacks: More Recipes From America's Favorite Panini Bar by Jason Denton and Kathryn Kellinger (William Morrow, $23.95; 184 pages)
Generally speaking: Co-author Jason Denton has joined the small-bite bandwagon, believing the days of huge family meals are on the way out. But we think Simple Italian Snacks offers 80 recipes that are suited to entertaining than a meal. Panini may be the exception.
For: Foodies and adventurous cooks. These recipes are reminiscent of the food you might find in metropolitan areas such as New York or San Francisco.
Recipes: Taleggio, apple and pistachio panini, almond orange biscotti, chickpea and black olive bruschetta, shrimp panini with pickled red peppers and lemon mayonnaise, orange scented olives, radicchio and cremini salad, warm salad of butternut squash, and eggs baked in tomato sauce.
TITLE: The Ski Country Cookbook by Barbara Scott-Goodman (Robert Rose, $24.95; 256 pages)
Generally speaking: You don't have to be a skier to enjoy this cookbook, but these are hearty, warming recipes. Many of the recipes require a lot of preparation in the form of chopping, which is something that can be done in advance. There are recipes for all skill levels and, because it's such a busy time right now, you can find some that are quicker to prepare after a long day.
For: Anyone looking for hearty, cold-weather recipes. They are even good for the cold we get around here. Just perusing these recipes warms you up.
Recipes: Brandied mocha coffee, creamy macaroni and cheese, baked penne with sausage and cheese, oven-braised pork roast, turkey and vegetable meat loaf, cider-braised chicken and vegetables, mushroom barley soup, grilled goat cheese and salad fingers merchandise pesto mini-sandwiches,cornmeal pancakes with fresh blueberry sauce.
Ellen Folkman's cookbook review column appears monthly.

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