Pictured below are a few of my favorite cookbooks.
I don’t think I am alone when I say I love to ‘read’ and collect cookbooks. I have dozens of them. Varying from thrift store finds (some classics there), to out of print books I have searched for on ebay, to those I picked up at a bookstore on a whim.
As my collection has grown I have become more discerning in the books I buy. I now really only like books that have lots of pictures (I guess I am visual in nature) and I find the photography and styling almost as important as the recipes!
The first ‘book’ pictured is actually a binder. This is where I keep the recipes I clip out of magazines, print off the internet, or collect from friends. It has sections for the type of food, and some clear plastic inserts for stuff. I think every home cook should have their own recipe folder (or index card box) because that is the stuff that will be handed down to the next generation.
The next book, with a nondescript brown cover is The Australian Women’s Weekly Cookbook, it is one of those classics I was talking about. As many of you know I am a transplant from Australia, and this is a book that every woman of my mother’s generation owns (or did at one stage). It is full of classic, basic recipes, and while it doesn’t have a picture for each recipe, and the styling is very ‘retro’ (not in a good way), its recipes make up for that.
To balance out the Aussie classic, here is an American one. I was given the BH&G Cookbook my first Christmas in the US, and like it’s Aussie equivalent above it has great, classic recipes every home cook should have. Fortunately the good folks at BH&G have updated the pictures and styling.
The next is a book, the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, was given to me by my best friend (thanks Kris). It is full of great, simple, delicious recipes that aren’t too daunting. My favorite recipe is for the curried couscous. It is simply amazing.
Then come two desserty books – the first Cookie Craft explains how to decorate cookies to look like a professional (more on that book and a giveaway coming), and the next Kids Party Cakes has great birthday cakes for kids (and adults) that don’t require a ton of cake decorating equipment, or a knowledge of fondant!
So, leave me a comment telling me your favorite cookbook, and I will hit it up at the library, and you may even see a recipe from it featured here on Gidget Goes Home!
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There is one cookbook that is my go to on crazy nights, which is often, that my BFF recommended to me… Desperation Dinners. I love this cook book, and the best recipe is the Broccoli and Cheese soup! Yum!! =)
Rachaels last blog post..Newman’s Own Pizza Coupon
I just got “Deceptively Delicious” by Jessica Seinfeld and I can’t wait to start using it get more veggies into our diet!
I love Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros. She does the chapters by colours of food, and she lives part time in Italy. She is really into nutritous eating, but fun and gourmet ways to do it. Her recipes are based on memories of her childhood, combined with her own special family moments. Plus she has a daughter called Cassia, like my niece and Emma’s bub.