I have a huge place in my heart for cookbooks. The gorgeous, mouthwatering photos, the drool worthy recipes, and quaint little personal stories that accompany the recipes. It’s not usual for me to get lost in a cookbook for hours, reading it as a new novel. And I could spend hours in the cookbook aisle of any bookstore. Over the years, my cookbook collection has grown and I often find inspiration within those pages for some of my favorite recipes.
As part of The Cooking Class Files, why not give an insight to the 5 Cookbooks I am loving right now? They are a staple when I feel in a rut, or in no mood to recipe development and not to mention, turn to for important get togethers such as family dinners and holidays. The innovative and delicious recipes always leave us satisfied and me coming back for me. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!
1. The Flavor Bible by Karen Page
Despite this not technically not being a ‘cookbook’; this book is essential for any avid home cook, chef or food blogger. My husband surprised me with this book a few Christmas’ ago and I have been obsessed ever sense.
The Flavor Bible, described as “the essential guide to culinary creativity”, outlines ingredients and the corresponding herbs, spices, seasonings, etc. that pair well with each of these ingredients. As a recipe developer, I turn to this book when I need inspiration or have a particular ingredient that I would like to cook with for ingredients that would pair perfectly in a dish.
As you work through the book, each ingredient is described in detail with its peak season, botanical relatives, taste (sweet, sour, salty, bitter), function, (warming, cooling, etc), weight (whether it’s light, moderate, or heavy feeling), volume (is the flavor quite, moderate, or loud?), cooking techniques, tips, incompatible flavors and even example flavor combinations.
I highly suggest this book to anyone that is itching to amp up their flavor profiles of their home meals!
2. The Silver Palate 25th Edition Cookbook by Julee Rosso
Every home cook needs a classic cookbook to turn to when those stand-out dishes are needed for a special occasion or just a classic chocolate cake is dying to be made. My cousin gave me this book a few years ago for Christmas, and I instantly sat down with it and read it like a book. Cover to cover. With a book that ties together a passion for food and entertaining, this is a book for any cook that loves to fancy guests or just create a special meal for their loved ones.
With 350 seasoned, vibrant, fresh ingredient recipes, there is something for everyone. Cooking tips and information fills the pages right along side the recipes. And not to mention the delicious menus and famous quotes that takes this book beyond a cookbook.
No dish is left aside in The Silver Palate, even a full chapter on Brunch. A personal fav of mine. They go into detail on how to make the perfect omelet, to essential eggs, to the omelet technique, and finishing with endless omelet fillings. And to not leave your menu bare, they suggest a meal filled with Blood Mary’s, Gravlax, Cream Cheese, Bagels, Muffins, Orange Juice, Coffee, fresh berries and champagne to accompany your omelet. How perfect does that sound?
3. The Newlywed Cookbook by Sarah Copeland
‘Beyond a collection of recipes, The Newlywed Cookbook is also a guide to domestic bliss.’ And I couldn’t agree more. Upon receiving this book at our wedding, this has become a staple for our date nights in. Just as going out on the town is essential to keep the spark alive, so is getting creative in the kitchen together. We browse the 130 recipes to see what tantalizes our tastebuds for that evening. She starts out by walking your through what is essential for a well stocked, healthy pantry. (I knew I was onto something here!) Then works her way through the tools that are essential for success, both cooking and baking. She touches on how to eat seasonally and eat fresh, even growing your own garden! My green thumb is just dying to come out!
The other chapters include Brunch, Little Meals, Supper, Comfort Food, Date Night, Vegetables, Embellishments (snacks, sauces & sips), Indulgent’s, Gatherings and Escapes (campfire cooking, pretty picnics and portable parties). Each chapter has recipes I am dying to make and have already included in my ‘Go To’ recipes.
Sarah has created a book that is not only for newlywed’s looking to spend quality time together in the kitchen but also anyone that enjoys cooking for special occasions with family and friends.
4. The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg (along with the Gluten Free Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day)
I think everyone will agree with me that there is nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread. The aroma, the tantalizing warmth that fills every room is hard to resist. As I learn my way in the baking world, I have been adoring every aspect of The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day; and the Gluten Free Artisan Bread version! Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois have proved to people that they can bake their own bread, easily and quickly. With their “Tips and Techniques” and “Ingredients” chapters, they ensure you are not diving in head first without the slightest idea of what you are doing. It is as if you right there with them, covering your kitchen in flour and watching the bread rise.
Beyond the classic whole grain loaf that we love, there is recipes for Beer Cheese Bread, Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread, Lavash, Pretzel Buns, Sticky Pecan Caramel Rolls and so many more I cannot wait to whip up. With Jeff’s and Zoe’s techniques, artisanal bread is only a short five minutes away!
5. The Skinnytaste Cookbook by Gina Homolka
I have followed Gina along for many years; many years before I actually started blogging. Her down-home meals that are not only easy and flavorful, but not to mention miraculously low calorie and made from all natural ingredients. Whenever I am in need of a slimmed down recipe, she is one of the first sites I pop on over to. So when she announced her cookbook, I couldn’t be anymore excited for her! And to get my hands on a slew of new recipes!
The Skinnytaste Cookbook includes 150 recipes, which 125 are new dishes. Without losing flavor, she ‘skinny-fied’ her favorite recipes to ensure every tastebud would be satisfied but keeping calories in check. From her Buttermilk Oven-Fried Chicken to the reason I my tastebuds couldn’t wait to get ahold of the book: Kiss My Shrimp and Grits! Cheesy, buttery grits with sweet, tender shrimp that makes you think you took a trip to the South!
What cookbooks are you loving lately? I can never have enough. So tell me! Tell me! Tell me!
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission if you buy that product at no cost to you. I only recommend brands I trust.
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