Cooking
Over the past few years I’ve collected quite a collection of cookbooks. While I have to admit I generally use the internet for recipes these days (I tend to want to know if something got good reviews than take the risk of cooking a flop), I love my library and will often spend time during the week leafing through the pages drawing inspiration for future recipes.
Here are my favorites:
Baking - Dorie Greenspan
I can never decide what to make when I look through this cookbook. Everything looks too good. What I love about it is that you feel like Dorie is holding your hand while you make each recipe, giving you the confidence to move out of your baking comfort zone.
Favorite Recipes – Bill’s Big Carrot Cake, Perfect Party Cake, Chewy, Chunky Blondies
Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That - Ina Garten
This is my first Barefoot Contessa cookbook. Everything is that easy….and delicious. The Easy Provencal Lamb is hands down the best lamb I’ve ever eaten.
Favorite Recipes – Easy Provencal Lamb, Warm French Lentils, Tuscan White Beans
The Food Matters Cookbook - Mark Bittman
This is my go-to cookbook during the work week. I was obsessed with it this past winter and need to give it a look to see what’s in there for the summer.
Favorite Recipes – Pasta with Smashed Peas, Prosciutto, and Scallions, Pasta with Smoky Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Bacon, Creamy Navy Bean and Squash Gratin, and Cassoulet with Lots of Vegetables
How to Cook Everything - Mark Bittman
If I end up with a vegetable I don’t know what to do with, I check this book out. I have to admit sometimes I walk away because so many of the recipes contain so few ingredients I can’t imagine they would taste good, but I’m slowly learning simplicity is delicious.
Favorite Recipes – Slow-Cooked Green Beans, Pizza Dough
Super Natural Everyday - Heidi Swanson
This cookbook gives you original, unique vegetarian recipes. I also love it for the photography.
Favorite Recipes – Ravioli Salad with Black Olives & Pepitas, Kale Salad, Broccoli Gribiche
America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook - America’s Test Kitchen
Great basic cooking tips. You know they are confident in their recipes because of the time they put into perfecting them.
Favorite Recipes – Spaghetti Carbonara, Pancakes, Buttermilk Biscuits
One day I will have the confidence to make more of the recipes in here.
Favorite Recipes – Tandoori-Spiced Chicken Thighs and Spaghetti Squash with Moroccan Spices
My Bread - Jim Lahey
I got really into bread-making last winter and this was the book I started with. If you are new to bread-making and/or don’t have a lot of time to put into making bread – get this cookbook.
Favorite Recipes – Basic No-Knead Bread
Artisan Bread’s Every Day - Paul Reinhart
A dear friend of mine gave me this book. It’s full of beautiful breads – I just need to make more of them. It’s part of my baking plan for next winter.
Favorite Recipes – Everyday 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread
