Top 5 Cookbook Favs…
Cookbooks….there is nothing more intimate in my opinion than sharing a good family recipe. It’s like giving away a family secret filled with love. I’m a weirdo that still enjoys a hardback cookbook. For years it’s been something I ask for every Christmas. I love curling up by the Christmas tree with a cup of tea and reading a cookbook. Cover to cover. People usually overlook reading them, but usually there are such delightful stories and funny anecdotes melted into the pages. My cookbooks are fully bent, ripped, stained and showing all signs of being well used and loved. I would take it as a sign of respect if I were the author. I know so many recipes are online these days. But there is really something magical about a well curated cookbook. So here are the top 5, and one more… of my favorite chefs and cookbooks of the moment. Bon appetit!
Nadiya Hussain ‘Nadiya’s Everyday Baking’: This cookbook is what dreams are made of. It’s relatively simple, and everything I’ve made out of it tastes superb. And usually it makes me look like a rockstar in the kitchen. You honestly can’t go wrong. I’ve made the White Chocolate Raspberry Pistachio Pastry situation several times. My French Mother-in-Law even approves. If that isn’t a gold star, I don’t know what is. Nadiya is such a lovely woman (haven’t met her of course but seems like it to me), and I’m a major GBBO fan so anything with her name on it I want to read. When I need a cathartic cry, I watch her final of GBBO. Her acceptance speech literally moves me to tears. UGG she’s so great. She also has another cookbook “Time to Eat” that I also own and is exciting. I haven’t made as many recipes from that one as this more recent cookbook. But we have the Egg Wraps from “Time to Eat” on repeat. Such an easy weeknight meal to make when you’re in a rush. Do yourself a favor, and pick up a copy today! And make sure when you read it you imitate a British accent. It makes the reading experience that much more enjoyable.
Chrissy Teigen’s ‘Cravings: Hungry for More’: I’m low key obsessed with Chrissy and John. My husband and I have seen him in concert many times and even met him backstage once. I don’t think I’ve smiled any bigger, other than my wedding day. Ok but back to the cookbook. Chrissy has several books out, I have them all, but this one is my favorite by far. We’ve made so many things in this book that have become family favorites. Some of my favorite recipes are…carrot ginger soup, teriyaki chicken burgers, pulled chicken sandwiches, broken lasagna, and the ultimate fav…the famous banana bread. That stuff is a crowd pleaser. Every time I have to cook for a group, I usually fall back on one of these recipes, and it’s always a hit. Plus, she is so witty it’s a fun read too! Fun fact that makes me like her more… she’s from Washington!
Sarah Adler ‘Simply Real Eating’: Sarah is one of my sorority sisters, hey girl! Her food is clean, real and delicious. Simply Real Health is her handle name, and it is easy to decipher how she feels about food. Sarah’s cookbooks are soooooooo awesome. This is her second of two (not including her baby food files, which was a game changer when we started solids with LBB), and I love this one. Lots of variety and so many recipes they have become staples for our household. The Cauliflower and Carrot Tahini Bake is insane. It’s a fall/winter go to for me. And the Chocolate Chip Olive Oil Cookies are a must. Plus, she has great smoothie and tea recipes that are so wholesome and fun. Her methodology around food is how I like to eat most of the time so it’s a good cookbook to fall back on when you need to reset your lifestyle with food, and get back to basics. Plus, she has lots of gluten free and dairy free recipes if your diet calls for that!
Jennifer Segal’s ‘Once Upon a Chef’: One of my dear friends turned me onto this cookbook. Her recipes are very yummy. She is an east coast gal, with a background as a trained chef. Her recipes aren’t necessarily the easiest, but they sure do taste good. I also have quite a few recipes from online that I snag from her blog. All of them are so so good. We love her French Grated Carrot Salad, Beef Stew, Potato Leek Soup, and Pumpkin Bread.
Gina Homolka’s ‘Skinny Taste: One and Done’: Even though I put her down as a favorite cookbook, I actually don’t own any of her books. But it’s on this years Christmas list. I have used so many of her online recipes that I had to include her here. Everything she touches is fire. We are in love with her Thai Lettuce Wraps, Cuban Picadillo, and Cheesy Zucchini Stuffed Chicken Breast. Please do yourself a favor and follow her on insta, you’ll more than likely drool every time you see a recipe pop up. Enjoy!
BONUS: Molly Yey’s ‘Molly on the Range’: Molly is just cool. Plain and simple. She has such an interesting life story. She went to Julliard in NYC and then settled in North Dakota on a beet farm with her husband. And now she has a tv show on The Food Network. This was such a fun cookbook to read for that reason. And she is half Chinese and half Jewish so her recipes are as delicious as they come! I haven’t made a whole lot out of this cookbook admittedly…but what I have gone back to I really enjoy. If anything, you’ll love to read it if you’re anything like me!
