While 2020 might not have been the most normal year, there were some good things that came out of it. One of the good things is that people started cooking more, learning different techniques, exploring different cuisines, and many people even learned how to cook. You can only eat carry out for so long!
In the hopes that the cooking movement continues, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite cookbooks. These are some of my old standbys that I go back to again and again and new standouts that I’ve recently been inspired by and cooking from. When I look at cookbooks sometimes I’ll cook a recipe directly from it, but most of the time it will spark inspiration. I hope these cookbooks do the same – inspire you to cook something new and find something you love.
Cooking:
- Eating Out Loud by Eden Grinshpan – This is by far my most used cookbook of the year. Everything I’ve made has turned out perfectly and truly makes middle eastern cooking attainable. I have become obsessed with shakshuka and all the bread recipes. Do yourself a favor and make the Persian flatbread!!
- Chez Panisse Vegetables – This isn’t a new cookbook, but it’s one I continually reach for. It’s divided alphabetically by vegetable so it’s easy to find a recipe for whatever you have in the fridge. I especially love to peruse it before I go to the farmers market to get inspiration on what to make based on what’s in season.
- The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook by Deb Perelman – Smitten Kitchen the blog was the first cooking blog I feel in love with. I feel like Deb and I would be good friends, so it’s no wonder I love this cookbook. It’s full of beautiful everyday recipes.
- America’s Test Kitchen – The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook – My friend gave me this for me for my bridal shower about 4 years ago and I’ve been using it ever since! The cookbook has over 700 recipes (yes, 700…) so it’s a great one to use as a reference or to thumb through every couple months. I tend to use it when I’m looking for a specific recipe because I know ATK recipes have been tested numerous times and will always turn out as promised.
- Barefoot Contessa Foolproof by Ina Garten – Truth be told I love any Ina Garten cookbook, but who doesn’t?! Her recipes are delicious and her aesthetic is sophisticated yet effortless, no wonder she’s so popular! This cookbook is no different it has classic dishes made simple. It’s a bold statement, but I don’t think any cookbook collection is complete without at least one of her cookbooks.
Baking:
- Tartine – This is one of multiple cookbooks from the famous bakery in San Francisco. My aunt visits Tartine often and sent me this cookbook, which focuses on desserts, breads, etc. It’s one of those gems of a cookbook where I want to make every recipe and every recipe that I’ve made thus far has turned out perfectly. The recipes are sophisticated classics that everyone is sure to devour. If you love to bake, you need this cookbook!
- 100 Cookies by Sarah Kieffer – I originally borrowed this book from my mom and loved it so much I promptly bought it for myself and two of my friends. Apparently everyone had the same feelings because it was sold out everywhere. I ended up having to buy it from the publisher and I even paid full price – that tells you how good it is!
- Food 52’s Genius Desserts – This cookbook is a collection of recipes from amazing chefs like Dorie Greenspan. Each recipe is one of the contributor’s favorite, so you know it’s good. Plus, the recipes have an interesting twist that make them “genius.” For instance, it has a great chocolate chip cookie recipe that’s unintentionally vegan. My favorite recipe in the book is Dorie Greenspan’s famous “World Peace Cookies.”