Cookbook Favorites

Over the years, I’ve probably managed to collect at least 100 cookbooks. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. I have them in our kitchen, in our dining room, in our living room on bookshelves, on our TV stand as décor — you probably get the point. I was lucky enough to gain most of my collection while working at Southern Living, and while I don’t recommend you develop a collection as extensive as mine, there are few staples I recommend for cooking creativity!

One of my favorite ways to meal plan is to flip through and find a new recipe for the week, or better yet, let my husband pick it out! I look for a few things in a good cookbook:

1. Simple ingredients
   • Do the recipes call for things I typically keep on hand or can easily find a my local grocery store?
     Sorry Chrissy Teigen, fresh lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves are not available at my Stop n’ Shop. 
2. Diversity in recipes
   • I tend to like books that have breakfasts, snacks, soups, sides, and mains rather than books that specialize in one thing
   • I also look for books that include vegetarian and vegan options, without having to purchase a specific dietary style cookbook
3. Education
   • One of the easiest ways to learn new cooking methods is to read a cookbook. I know that might sound strange, but I read cookbooks like most people read fiction books. The majority of cookbooks have great intro sections with tips and tricks. Reading the recipes gives me ideas for new methods and flavor combinations.
4. Photography
   • I understand it’s challenging to photograph every recipe, never mind how much space it takes up. That said, I typically don’t pick out anything to make that doesn’t have a photo along with it.

Personal Favorites

Skinnytaste, by Gina Homolka is probably my favorite cookbook author and blogger. She does a fantastic job of using easily accessible ingredients and creating balanced, healthy dishes. Her collection includes 5 cookbooks, “Skinnytaste Meal Prep” just recently released!

Southern Living What’s for Supper: 5-Ingredient Weeknight Meals: Delicious Dinners in 30 Minutes or Less, is a quick guide to the weeknight dinner.  Most of the recipes are made from standard pantry and freezer staples, and I find the 30 minute time frame is actually fairly accurate on most of the recipes.

Joy of Cooking, by Irma S. Rombauer is perfect for any cooking staple recipe you might even need. Baked chicken? Homemade bread? Thanksgiving turkey? Recently re-released for it’s 9th edition, this book has it all.

Quick-Start Homemade: Time-saving · Budget-friendly · Easy & Delicious, is a budget-friendly cookbook with simple ingredients and quick tips on prepping, as well as a side pairing recommendation for the main dishes so you can make a complete meal!