My Favorite Cookbooks…

Most asked question? Of me anyways… “What is your favorite cookbook?” That is a TOUGH question. I could never pick ONE favorite… I have a cookbook obsession. I have A LOT of cookbooks. Truthfully, I read them like I read novels. I am quite content to curl up on the couch with a cookbook and read. It could be a brand new purchase, one checked from the library or one I have had for years. I love them. I love thinking about the way ingredients work together and how to implement the different methods of cooking. Let’s not overlook the gorgeous photography and clever layouts in these books. Some of my recent additions to my collection are simply beautiful books. So to pick one is just not possible. I picked ten. I chose my favorites. From these books you will find some of my most used recipes,  favorite methods, favorite weeknight meals, favorite special menus and a whole lot of good looking food! Here they are in alphabetical order… so I don’t play favorites. I have tried to pick out some of my top recipes in each book, also no easy task!

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1.  Barefoot Contessa Back To Basics by Ina Garten

I have all of Ina Garten’s books, but this one is my favorite. The recipes are just good, easy to follow and delicious. Some of my top picks in this book are: Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad (p. 90), Bay Scallop Gratins (p. 132), Prosciutto Roasted Bass with Autumn Vegetables (p. 141) and Brownie Pudding (p. 218).

2. Dinner In An Instant by Melissa Clark

This is clearly a new favorite (if you follow my Instagram Feed) and I am REALLY obsessed with my new kitchen toy. This cookbook is for the Instant Pot (I have this one), but some of the recipes are adaptable to the stove top. If you are going to buy an Instant Pot I highly recommend this cookbook. We have loved every recipe we have made! Top favorites so far are: Steel-Cut Oats with Maple Syrup + Currants (p. 27), Indian Butter Shrimp (p. 72), Creamy Macaroni + Cheese (p. 87) and Butternut Squash Soup with Coriander + Lemon (p. 120)

3. Food 52 Genius Recipes by Kristen Miglore

This cookbook really is genius. It takes all of the best from the popular website Food52 and puts them into one beautiful book. You get to sample ideas from so many different chefs. From simple recipes to a little more complex, this book has it all and just may change the way you look at cooking food.  Favorites here are: Poached Scrambled Eggs (p. 19), Tomato Sauce with Butter & Onion (p. 151), Spiced Braised Lentils & Tomatoes with Toasted Coconut (p. 159) and Gratin of Zucchini, Rice & Onions with Cheese (p. 193).

4. Everyday Food Great Food Fast from The Kitchens of Martha Stewart Living

I remember getting this book and diving into it for weeknight meals in our small New York kitchen. I still go back to it for quick and delicious weeknight meals. This book is sectioned into seasons which is nice. Some of our favorites include: Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce (p. 54), Pan-Fried Shrimp with Green Curry Cashew Sauce (p.62), Garlic- Marinated Chicken Cutlets with Grilled Potatoes (p. 116) and Braised Chicken with Mushrooms and Oven- Baked Polenta.

5. It’s All Easy by Gwyneth Paltrow with Thea Baumann

Gwyneth can cook! This book is full with surprisingly simple flavor packed recipes. Light on dairy and no refined sugar, these are recipes you can feel good about eating and serving to your family.  Our must makes are: Fried Egg Sandwich (p. 9), Congee (p. 76) and Zucchini and Leek Soup (p. 169).

6. Love & Lemons by Jeanine Donofrio

This beautiful cookbook celebrates produce. With twenty six chapters, from Apple to Zucchini & Summer Squash, this book gives you wonderful ideas of what to make with all the things that are good for you. Added bonus of a recipe variation chart at the end to give you more ideas for hummus, smoothies and the like. We love: Coconut Rice with Brussels Sprouts (p. 63), Asian Chopped Cabbage Salad (p. 77) and Peanut Noodle Kale Bowls (p.147).

7. Love Real Food by Kathryne Taylor 

This cookbook is just amazing. I followed the Cookie & Kate blogger on Instagram which is how I first learned that she was publishing a cookbook. I pre-ordered it because I loved the food she made. It arrived in the mail and I devoured it. It wasn’t until half way through the book that I realized it was a vegetarian cookbook. These are the kind of recipes where even if you are a strict carnivore you really don’t miss the meat. She is pretty amazing. Another book where every recipe I have made has been a knock out. Hard to narrow it down to a few favorites, but here goes: Mango Lassi (p. 2), Best Waffles Ever (p. 21), Four Salad Dressings (p. 52), Strawberry Rose Sangria (p. 137), Cabbage-Pepita Slaw (p. 177) and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (p. 203).

8. Simple- Effortless Food, Big Flavors by Diana Henry

“No Hassle” and “No Fuss” are some of the terms used to describe this book and they are correct. Diana Henry has a knack for keeping it simple while creating really special food. My mom gave me this one and I love turning to it when I want something a little bit extraordinary. Favorites thus far: Huevos Rotos (p. 16), Carrot Hummus, Roast Tomatoes & Harissa Yogurt (p. 54), Baked Merguez with Beans, Eggs & Feta (p. 81) and Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt & Cilantro-Chile Sauce (p. 247).

9. Skinnytaste Fast and Slow by Gina Homolka 

This is an excellent collection of recipes made even better by the fact that they are health conscious and very week night friendly with the slow cooker or short cooking time. I whizzed through this book often repeating a recipe every week they were so greatly requested by my family! This book is full of winners! Top picks are: Egg Roll Bowls (p.85), Slow Cooker Banh Mi Rice Bowls (p. 94), Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Taquitos (p.136),  Slow Cooker Korean-Style Beef Tacos (p. 140), Zucchini “Meatballs” (p. 245) and Italian House Salad (p. 252).

10. Tyler’s Ultimate by Tyler Florence

Did anyone else use to watch Tyler’s show? I loved it. And this book is just as good. I have had it for a decade and I still go back to it often. They really are the “ultimate” recipes. My most favorites are: The Ultimate Sunday Dinner of Meat and Potatoes (p. 104), Hunter’s Minestrone (p. 154), The Ultimate Baked Beans (p. 192), The Ultimate Spinach Salad with Bacon, Black Pepper, and Honey (p. 206), Roasted Broccoli with Crispy Parmesean and Lemon (p. 208) and The Ultimate Chocolate Mousse (p. 230).

I hope you find a new cookbook in this collection to spark our creative juices in the kitchen for 2018! Do you have a favorite cookbook to share? Please comment below!

I always want to know what you are cooking up at home so please let me know by emailing me or tagging me in a post!

Happy cooking!