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If you are looking for a gift for the chef in your life that will get used, you can’t go wrong with one of these 11 awesome cookbooks. After all, everyone needs to make dinner, and many of us enjoy preparing fresh food at every meal. If you find a cookbook you love, you will come back to it time and time again. I’ve amassed a pretty big collection of them over the years, but have also frequently weeded out some at various intervals along the way when they are not serving me.
These 11 are current favorites, but my list is always evolving! I would enjoy hearing which ones you can’t live without.
- The Defined Dish: As you saw in my last post, I am just a little obsessed with this cookbook. Everything we make from it is amazing! The shredded pork tacos, enchiladas, the sheet pan recipes, and the poke bowls are all to die for, and not difficult to make. We have yet to have a “fail” from this book.
- The Silver Palate: “This is the book that changed the way America cooks.”—Barbara Kafka Yes, this book is a must-have classic! I remember my excitement when I received my copy as a gift around 1998. I’ve lost track of how many times my husband has made the Chili for a Crowd recipe, but it’s fantastic and always well received. I’m not a huge soup person, but the Greek Lemon Soup has been a favorite over the years. It’s tasty hot, but even better cold in my opinion! There’s also something refreshing about the black and white line drawings throughout the book.
- The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: I own every one of her cookbooks except for the most recent two and I come back to time and time again. This one, the original, features some of my very favorite recipes. The sun-dried tomato dip is fantastic for entertaining and easy to make. The corn salad is my absolute favorite to make from May through September, and I always make extra. The turkey meatloaf is great the night you make it, and perhaps even more delicious the next day. If you like coconut, the coconut cupcakes are divine.
- The Barefoot Contessa Family Style: Of all of my Barefoot Contessa cookbooks, this one has the most stains and splatters on the pages. Our family favorites include the parmesan chicken (a Sunday night favorite!), the tequila lime chicken (great year-round), and the lasagna with turkey sausage. The flag cake is very tasty, and although there are many apple pie recipes out there, hers is one of the best.
- The Best Simple Recipes: More Than 200 Flavorful, Foolproof Recipes That Cook in 30 Minutes or Less: Two things drew me to this book. First, when I see “30 Minutes or Less” I immediately perk up. Secondly, I’ve long been a fan of America’s Test Kitchen. Years ago, we got their magazine, and I love that they are Boston-based. I’m a huge Chicken Tikka Masala fan, and theirs is very tasty. I have not made the Chicken with Bok Choy Sauce, but have heard it’s amazing. Caveat: it does assume you are somewhat of a chef and have a good supply of spices in your home.
- The Fannie Farmer Cookbook: For me, this 100th anniversary addition is right up there with my copy of Joy of Cooking. I’ve relied on it heavily for baking cakes and muffins over the years. I also love the quiche and eggs benedict recipe. Above all, I really like the explanations of tools, terms, and techniques at the front of the book. This, like Joy of Cooking, would be a great gift for a young person starting out on their own.
- The Step-By-Step Instant Pot Cookbook: Searching for an Instant Pot Cookbook that has easy and flavorful recipes? This one fits the bill. Personally, I love cookbooks with a lot of photos. Additionally, I was, and am still somewhat intimidated by my Instant Pot. The author takes the mystery and fear out of the process, which goes a long way. The variety of recipes will keep each week interesting for you and your family.
- Sally’s Baking Addiction: Attention bakers! Sally’s Baking Addiction is your go-to bible for sweet treats that will leave you with no regret that you splurged (Well, maybe a little, but…). My kids adore the Nutella muffins, and the cake batter chocolate chip cookies are out of this world too. Follow her on Instagram @sallysbakeblog!
- Danielle Walker’s Against All Grain: For those trying to avoid gluten or enjoy a healthier lifestyle when it comes to cooking, this book is a must-own. My favorite recipes include her biscuit recipes and the the maple dijon pork tenderloin. The biscuits are fabulous as a sweet treat or to use for sandwiches. I also love her California chicken wraps as well as the Peruvian-style chicken. Follow her on Instagram @daniellewalker
- Joy of Cooking: 2019 Edition Fully Revised and Updated: Five words for this classic: Every kitchen needs a copy! I remember when I was at Simon & Schuster in 1995 and they did an updated anniversary edition of this cookbook. We all could purchase a copy for $10 and it felt like Christmas. Mine is now tattered and falling apart but still does the trick. My husband swears by the homemade waffle recipe as the best he’s found. It’s also instructional, and has helped me over many hurdles in the kitchen over the years.
- Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over: Truth be told, at time of publication, I do not (yet!) own this cookbook. It was recommended by an old friend who has had a catering business in the past and is a fantastic chef so I really trust her. I’m interested in this because I am always looking for ways to make my time more relaxing when we are entertaining family and friends while not sacrificing quality and taste. I’m adding it to my library…perhaps you will want to do the same.
Happy cooking!
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