There is an entire world of Pinterest recipes, blogs, NY Times cooking, and The Food Network. But always and forever, cookbooks will be my favorite way to try new recipes.
There is nothing I love more than getting in a new cookbook, and bookmarking every other page because each recipe looks better than the last. I am a bookworm at heart, so maybe that plays into it. But it is just so relaxing to flip through the pages of a big heavy book and salivating over the beautiful photos.
I have many cookbooks in my house, but there are a few that I cook out of the most and have yet to disappoint me. There is a time and place for a 25 ingredient sauce or a 3 hr meal, but most weeknights are not that time. I like simple recipes made with lots of staples that turn out fresh, tasty and enjoyable for the entire family.
I’m excited to share my favorite cookbooks with you guys! I thought it would be fun to add in my favorite dishes from each book. Many recipes from each of these have moved into frequent rotation in our house, and many I now know by heart. The sign of a great recipe, in my opinion!
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MY FAVORITE COOKBOOKS
THE PRETTY DISH
I LOVE How Sweet Eats. Her blog was the first food blog that I really followed for more than just the recipes, but for Jessica herself. She makes the best food, which is a combo of trashy comfort mixed with fresh and healthy. I have both of her books, but The Pretty Dish gets pulled out more often nowadays.
- BLOOD ORANGE RICOTTA TOASTS – The perfect recipe to serve when you are hosting brunch. Or just want to be fancy AF on a Tuesday morning.
- BACON, BLUE CHEESE, AND SHRIMP CHOPPED SALAD – Why is it that salads at restaurants are always better at home? This is NOT the case with this salad. It is SO good. The bacon and blue cheese are so indulgent, and I love the grilled shrimp paired with corn and tomatoes.
- QUICK SESAME RAMEN NOODLES – This is my favorite quick lunch. It tastes like take out, and I love to jazz it up with veggies or leftover protein.
- KOREAN BEEF BOWLS – The easiest, most delish weeknight meal that can be done in 30 minutes. It is so flavorful and works great with anything from ground beef to chicken breasts.
- GRAPEFRUIT ROSE POUND CAKE – I’m a sucker for a citrus dessert, and this one does not disappoint.
- PARTY MENUS – This is one of my favorite things about this entire book. Jessica put together menus for different parties. I struggle with putting together a meal for a gathering that is balanced. But she has you covered from a Tacos and Tequila Party to brunch to Friendsgiving.
SMITTEN KITCHEN EVERY DAY
Deb Perelman is an actual QUEEN. Her blog has never steered me wrong. Ever. All of her recipes are well tested, and I can be confident in success. As long as I follow directions!
- THE PARTY CAKE BUILDER – This recipe is GENIUS. Her standard yellow and chocolate cake recipes are solid, but she has amazing directions for creating the perfect amount of cake for however many people will be attending your party.
- CHICKEN AND RICE STREET STYLE – I recently tried this recipe and WOW! It is so good. While I may love street cart food, I just can’t get over the hygiene part of it. There are quite a few different aspects to the recipe, so I won’t attempt this again on a weekday, but it is so worth the work
- CACIO E PEPE POTATOES ANNA – This feels like the epitome of elevated comfort food. Thinly slices potatoes, garlic, and parmesan make the most fabulous potatoes pie situation you will ever have.
- MISO MAPLE RIBS – If you are bored with traditional BBQ ribs, you have to make this recipe. It is incredibly flavorful with so much depth and dimension from the white miso paste. And honestly so easy.
- BAKE SALE WINNING-EST GOOEY OAT BARS – I can never tell if Mr. G is trolling me when I make chocolate chip cookies, but he always asks for oatmeal resin. I’m not down with the raisin life for the most part, but these are so good. Coconut and rolled oats with a shortbread-like crust make a cobbler meets cookie bar medley that is just amazing.
ANTONI IN THE KITCHEN
Antoni Porowski’s book is one of my newer additions, but it has quickly become a favorite of mine. The food is fresh, light, fun and delicious without being overly fussy or pretentious.
- CHEESY LEMON-ROSEMARY ARTICHOKE DIP– If you want a warm, gooey, crowd-pleasing appetizer, this is the one. It is so bright while also being incredibly decadent and rich. If you love traditional spinach and artichoke dip, you will love this take one it.
- FRENCHIFIED LATKES WITH CHIVE SOUR CREAM – I am a sucker for a deli latke and have only attempted them myself a few times. These are SO GOOD. There is comte or gruyere cheese involved. Need I say more?
- CHILE MAPLE ROASTED CHICKEN – I love this recipe! I have used the rub on both a whole chicken and bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with equal success. It is sweet, spicey, smokey and super juicy with a crisp skin that is beyond flavorful.
- POLISH CARAMEL EASTER SQUARES – Hazelnut anything is going to be on my yes list. Add in caramel, and I’m yours. These were a huge hit when I brought them to a friend’s house for dinner. I didn’t think they would be gone by the end of the night, as they are quite sweet and decadent. But the dish was pretty much licked clean.
CRAVINGS
In my book, Chrissy Teigan can do no wrong. I mean, there is so much wrong, but that is what makes her so right. She is unapologetically herself, and I love that she can make fun of herself. She just seems so genuine. Her cookbook is legit. Real food for real people. I have yet to make anything that disappoints, and I have pretty much every recipe earmarked for future meals.
- JOHN’S BREAKFAST SANDWICHES – As a New Yorker, I take breakfast sandwiches way too seriously. These are beyond. I had never made homemade sausage before, and can’t stress how freaking amazing this stuff is. This is the thing to make when you want to impress people for brunch while not looking like you tried too hard.
- IL BUCO KALE CAESAR – I used to be a die hard Smitten Kitchen Kale Caesar maker, but this one is hands down my new favorite. The homemade croutons slap anything else you will crunch on for the rest of your salad life.
- ACTUAL DRUNKEN NOODLES – Drunken noodles are my favorite dish when ordering Thai, and I hadn’t found a recipe that wasn’t beyond intimidating before. While this is an ingredient heavy recipe, it is super easy and comes together pretty quickly. More of a Friday night meal vs Tuesday if that makes sense.
- BALSAMIC GLAZED BRUSSELS SPROUTS – I’m sure you have had the most incredibly crispy, salty, divine Brussels in a steak house. And you just can’t get anything at home to be quite as good. Look no further. Bacon, blue cheese, and walnuts make these Brussels Sprouts completely over the top delish.
- ARMADILLO CHEESY GARLIC BREAD – This is the kind of weeknight meal I want. A giant loaf of cheesy garlic bread with the above-mentioned kale Caesar. You won’t want to kiss your partner after, but the garlic breath is worth it.
SWEET AND SIMPLE
Christina Lane is one of my favorite food bloggers. She creates recipes for two people, which is just genius. As a family of three, we rarely go through an entire pan of brownies, a whole cake, or need an entire pie in our house. Christina has been making dessert attainable for our small family for years, and her book “Sweet and Simple” is my favorite.
- EASIEST LEMON BARS – Lemon anything is what I want for dessert. I will choose citrus over chocolate any day. These lemon bars are so easy and come together really quickly. This is one recipe I would like to make the full-size version of!
- SMALL CARROT CAKE + CREAM CHEESE FROSTING – Mr. G LOVES carrot cake. And so do I. But Marcus isn’t on board with shredded carrots in his dessert. This makes the perfect size for a few pieces for each of us.
- PERFECT HOMEMADE SPRINKLES CUPCAKES – Sometimes you just need a warm vanilla cupcake. These are it! As with all of Christina’s recipes, they are really easy but taste like they are straight from a bakery.
- PECAN PIE CARAMELITAS – THIS RECIPE!!! It is the winner. I love it so so much and am grateful that it is a small batch. Caramel. Pecans. Shortbread. Oh, my! Just the best of the best all wrapped up into the perfect sized dish for two in a loaf pan. A few slices each and you will be wanting to make this over and over.
While I love to have physical copies of books, I have limited space. I have found that getting the Kindle version of cookbooks to be so helpful! I can pull up recipes at the store, have my phone/iPad/laptop open in the kitchen, and easily bookmark recipes while I read. There are also tons of cookbooks available at the library or on Kindle Unlimited. You can try out a few recipes and decide if it is something you want in your permanent collection before committing.
What are you favorite cookbooks? And what is the best recipe you have made from it?
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