new year, new cookbooks
THE NEW YEAR sparks the craziest nesting instinct in me. I’m like a third trimester pregnant woman with an incurable NEED to go through every drawer and cabinet, purging stuff we don’t use and stocking up on [maybe hoarding] stuff we actually do. Do you feel it, too? I want to do the whole house top to bottom, but the urge is for sure centered most fiercely on the kitchen. I guess it’s probs a sort of primal exercise that prepares me for the next 365 days of cooking for my family + friends. And I really love the process. I do stuff like…
+ Go through the condiments in the fridge and toss whatever is past its prime
+ Deep clean the fridge and freezer. I was actually bleeding today from some unknown altercation with my freezer drawer.
+ Replace the packets in the Bluapples
+ Check the water filter
+ Wipe down the insides of cabinets and drawers, donating anything inside them that doesn’t ‘spark joy’
+ Replace dish and bottle brushes
+ Replace the filter on the Bamboozle Bamboo Composter on my kitchen counter
AND AS part of this process, each January I treat myself to a few new cookbooks for inspiration. I like to think of it as a little ‘kitchen self-care’ ritual since I probs spend about 70% of my waking hours either cooking, thinking about cooking or shopping for cooking [even as I type, I’m also prepping this gorgeous looking soup]. I love thumbing through the pages of an actual book, drooling over the stunning food photography. Cookbooks kind of combine a bunch of my passions in one perfect little package and I really love them.
NOW, IF I’ve just made it sound like my house has its own Michelin star, let me backtrack a bit and put that idea right to bed. I am not a really fantastic chef. I AM super passionate about food and cooking and health and entertaining, but a part of the reason I need so much ‘inspiration’ is also to steel myself a bit for a year of cooking for both my own squeaky digestive system and a son with a not-so-fun combination of food intolerances and super duper ‘particular’ eating. His ‘happy’ foods don’t align well with his ‘healthy’ foods and I’m not gonna lie, preparing dinner for our family is often either an exercise in crowd-pleasing monotony or a little circus that involves making 3 different versions of whatever meal I’ve planned. So, I’m fortifying myself with ALL the tools to keep my head and HEART in the game. Preparing healthy food for my family and sitting down to dinner together is a passion and vitally important to me, so whatever it takes, I’m all in [side note, we’ve been loving this and this for conversation prompts at dinner. I’m def ordering more].
SO TODAY I’m sharing my new cookbook HAUL and a stack of some old favorites in case you’re also in need of some inspired ‘kitchen self care.’ And PLEASE please share your favorites, too. Throw your old standbys or new favorites in the comments, lovelies, so everyone can benefit from our awesome collective wisdom. Also check out my Pinterest boards where I save TONS of recipes throughout the year. If you love to cook and bake with your littles, check out my post on Baking Stuff for Kids + Teens. AND the Gift Guide for Foodies + Home Chefs and the Gift Guide for Bakers have even more beautiful inspiration for your kitchen [#giftalittlehappiness to yourself]. One night’s dinner is now down, just 364 to go. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo
My 2024 Cookbooks + Wishlist
+ I’ve had Evergreen Kitchen in my cart ever since I saw it at a friend’s house months ago and just finally pushed the button. It’s gorgeous, totally accessible for all kinds of eaters and there are like 23 things in there that I want to make like tomorrow. So excited. +
+ I just discovered Trejo’s Tacos and it was a total impulse buy, but I seriously doubt I’ll be disappointed. It’s part riveting memoir and part delicious recipe book and I’m super excited to dig in. It’s written by Danny Trejo and partly documents his journey from bad guy ex-con to major Hollywood actor to super successful restauranteur. And it has awesome taco and donut recipes. I’m SO IN. +
+ Milk Street Tuesday Nights is focused on getting super flavorful food on your table fast and I’m here for it. There are lots of recipes from around the world that sound amazing and like something I could actually pull off on a weeknight, which is what it’s all about over here. Right off the bat, the Nigerian Beef Suya and the Salt-and-Pepper Shrimp sound so amazingly delish and totally manageable with the right ingredients on hand. +
+ I heard chef and author, JJ Johnson, interviewed about The Simple Art of Rice a few months ago and was instantly intrigued by this book. It features recipes from around the world for dishes that all center around rice. I love rice and I love trying foods from different cultures, so this is an easy love for me. It’s on the list. +
+ I’m super intrigued by East and it’s not just because it’s so pretty I want to hang it on my wall, promise. It’s a collection of vegan and vegetarian recipes from all over Asia and it just sounds so fabulous. I’m neither vegan nor vegetarian, but I am always interested in learning how to make more plant-forward mains and this sounds like the perfect tool. +
+ My boys are both in love with ramen, so a whole book dedicated to ways to make it even more interesting and delicious sounds fantastic. Ramen has 80 recipes broken out by protein, plus a whole chapter on toppings. It sounds like a crowd pleaser for our family and a great way to mix it up. +
My 2023 Cookbooks + Wishlist
+ I love SO many of Deb Perleman’s recipes already, so I knew I ‘needed’ Smitten Kitchen Keepers, the new collection of her most tried and trues. And it does NOT disappoint. This has become a go-to for me, I love a bunch of the recipes. The Ginger Garlic Chicken Noodle Soup has become a serious staple in our house, it’s just SO so good. And the Crispy Chili Garlic Butter Shrimp are so fabulous that my younger son requested them for his birthday dinner. Highly recommend this book. +
+ The Modern Proper VERY quickly became an essential cooking tool. Every recipe I’ve made has been fantastic and they’re so accessible, even on a weeknight. A few friends have the book, too, and we text each other regularly to report on which recipes we’ve made. I’d recommend this book to anyone, whether you’re just learning your way around the kitchen or a seasoned home chef and it makes a great gift. +
+ I picked up The Forest Feast Mediterranean at a local shop for a friend after initially being super drawn to the book’s style. And then I bought another copy for myself. The author, Erin Gleeson, combines fairly simple vegetarian recipes from around the Mediterranean with her own gorgeous travel photos and original artwork to create a really unique, pretty and yummy experience. It would make a really lovely gift for anyone who would appreciate both the cuisine and the whimsical illustrations. +
+ I heard J. Kenji López-Alt interviewed about The Wok when it was launched and my mouth was watering. Part serious science lesson + part recipe book, it has the same super in-depth cooking science and technique info as The Food Lab, but applied to wok cooking and it sounds so delish. He’ll also teach you absolutely everything you need to know about how to care for your wok, how to use your ingredients and why and SO much more. Good thing I bought myself a Five Two Carbon-Steel Wok a few months ago [love it BTW]. +
+ I kept seeing 100 Cookies everywhere I went and then a friend raved about it, so I decided I needed a copy. It’s so full of recipes, some traditional and some really interesting and they’ve all been delicious so far. My boys and I just made a batch of the Brown Sugar Cookies and they are divine. +
+ Siete specializes in creative Mexican-American packaged grain-free foods that are super delicious [they’ve really nailed the tricky texture]. I love of bunch of Siete’s products, but especially their Almond Flour Tortillas. Aside from being an awesome GF option for me, they’re an objectively delicious alternative for anyone who wants a little change of pace [I really love them with some scrambled eggs + greens inside]. SO, when I saw that they wrote The Siete Table, I was instantly sold. It’s a whole gorgeous book filled with recipes to accommodate almost any dietary need and they look SO good. There are 3 enchilada recipes in there and I can’t wait to try them all. +
+ A dear friend gifted me River Cottage Veg after I mentioned that I’d like to learn how to make more vegetarian meals [I get super stumped with veg as the main]. It’s a whole book of unique, seasonal vegetarian dishes and it’s really pretty. The Ribollita is on my short list of soups to try. +
+ I’m intrigued by this new King Arthur Baking School book that not only has recipes, but also teaches the same techniques they use at their renowned school. I rely on King Arthur’s online recipes because they usually turn out well, especially when following the GF ones that include their own flour blend [which is my favorite]. And I’m always looking to learn more about cooking science and technique. +
My 2022 cookbook haul
+ Once Upon a Chef: Weeknight / Weekend appealed to me instantly because of its organization. I love that it breaks up the recipes by how much time you need to dedicate to them. There’s nothing particularly exotic in here, but all of the recipes are super approachable and look like something I’d actually make. The Red Snapper & Snow Peas in Coconut Curry Broth is right up on the top of my list. +
+ I’ve been following Teri Turner’s ‘No Crumbs Left’ account for a few years now and I love her super chill but obviously passionate attitude toward cooking and food. This book of the same name is Whole30 approved, which works well for our family’s gluten and dairy intolerances, but it’s really just delicious, healthy cooking for everyone. I can’t wait to try her Chicken Paillard and Spicy Mushroom Ragu. Yum. +
+ Ok, so I pre-orderd Après All Day months ago because I’ve been following Kelley Epstein of Mountain Mama Cooks for YEARS (she introduced me to two of my most-loved recipes here and here) and I was so excited to see that she finally published a book. And then the holidays came and things got crazy and I haven’t used it yet [confessions…]. So new, not new, whatever, I’m super excited to finally dig in. Tater Tot Nachos and French Onion Chicken Meatballs are ON the list. Maybe for Super Bowl snacks? Who’s in? +
+ Salt Fat Acid Heat is obvs not a new book, but I’ve always been curious about it and secretly love to nerd out on food science [I used to LOVE watching Alton Brown]. And I love the idea of learning how to ‘riff’ a bit more confidently. I mean, it has almost 18,000 5-star reviews, a James Beard award and its own Netflix show [which I love], so I’m thinking it *might* be worth a read. +
+ I’ve been wanting to add some more meatless meals to our rotation, but I’m not very clever about really highlighting veggies as a main dish and honestly get a little intimidated. Vegan at Times has some really approachable and fantastic looking options. And I have another of Jessica Seinfeld’s cookbooks that I’ve been using to unapologetically woo children for more than a decade. So I’m going to trust that she knows what’s up. +
+ Taste: My Life Through Food is a memoir about Stanley Tucci’s vast and varied relationship with food and has some recipes thrown in for good measure. I love cooking shows and books about food and memoirs and Stanley Tucci is awesome, so I’m *pretty sure* I’m going to love this. +
some of my favorite cookbooks
+ I use Half Baked Harvest Super Simple on rotation. I love several of the recipes in here and make them over and over again, like Lemony Halibut + Chickpeas and Jalapeño Garlic-Butter Shrimp. SO good. And all of her baking recipes that I’ve tried are seriously off the hook. I don’t have her other book, but it’s def on my list. +
+ I have been following Michelle Tam’s Nom Nom Paleo account for a few years. Several of her recipes are absolutely essential family favorites, including her Wonton Meatballs and Watercress+ Chicken Soup. She also includes a bunch of recipes with instructions for an Instant Pot in case you’re into super delicious, healthy AND crazy easy meals. So Ready or Not! is a favorite and I’ve already pre-ordered her new book, Let’s Go! +
+ Why We Cook: Women on Food, Identity and Connection is a unique book that compiles essays, interviews, quotes and a few recipes from 112 women ‘in food’ across a wide range of backgrounds. It recalls food memories, celebrates cooking and community and has really pretty illustrations. It’s just cool perspective and a lovely celebration of women’s unique connection to food and cooking. +
+ It’s All Good is a kind-of-oldie but so goodie. I LOVE her Thai Style Chicken Burgers, they’re so flavorful and delicious. My sister makes the Japanese Chicken Meatballs on repeat. It’s a great, fresh, light book for anyone, but especially if you have intolerances or are experimenting with any kind of elimination diet. +
+ Full confession, I bought Cravings: Hungry for More based entirely on the recipe for Taters, Shrooms & Peas with Parmesan Cream. And it was totally worth it. They’re SO GOOD and my younger son asks for them by name. But I’m also super intrigued by some of her Thai recipes and can’t wait to check them out. +
+ I’ve been tricking my kids with Jessica Seinfeld’s Deceptively Delicious recipes for YEARS, most notably with her veggie-filled absolutely delicious Donuts. There are lots of equally clever recipes for kiddos whether they’re happy with their veggies out in the open or need them included a bit more covertly. +
+ Jamie’s Italy is one of the first cookbooks I ever bought and I still totally love it. The Spaghetti Tetrazzini is so delish. The recipes all call for fresh, yummy ingredients and the photos are super charming. It’s very nostalgic for me, bringing me back to my newlywed days. +
+ Jamie’s Dinners is another old school Jamie Oliver that’s still totally relevant. The Scrumptious Spanish Chickpea and Chorizo Soup is SO good and hearty, especially with the crumbled hard boiled eggs. And the Tender and Crisp Chicken Legs with Sweet Tomatoes is classic and so fresh. I just love the photos. +
+ Ok, I’ll freely admit that I was initially drawn to Food Between Friends because of Jesse. I mean he’s awesome. And I love to learn about people’s secret skills. Like when you find out all the totally unexpected stuff your mom friends did before kids. But, this is a legit cookbook. I haven’t made anything from it yet, but there is a lot to get excited about like Ratatouille, Seafood Gumbo and some Braised Chicken Thighs with Vidalia Onions & Cabbage that look incredible. Plus it’s funny, so I’m sold. +
+ The Clean Plate is another book filled with super light, fresh and healthy recipes for anyone and also includes a few cleanses [which I haven’t tried]. The Peruvian Chicken Cauli Rice Soup is a fan favorite, it’s just so bright and fresh. And the Za’atar Chicken Bowl is so flavorful and satisfying. +
+ Milk Bar: Kids Only is just straight up fun. Christina Tosi has made an empire based on creating fantastic and fun desserts from nostalgic childhood favorite treats put together in a totally new way and it’s awesome. +
+ I had to throw Dessert Boards in there because I’m kind of obsessed with these amazing char’treat’erie boards I’ve been seeing. They’re just so fun and I can’t wait to wow some kiddos at our next gathering. Of course you can just throw a bunch of yummy stuff on a plate, but this book has some fun ideas and inspiration to guide you through making a really fantastic presentation. +
Cookbooks My Aunt Laurie Loves
MY AUNT Laurie is a passionate and excellent home cook. I asked her for some cookbook suggestions for ‘normal’ people who are cooking on a weeknight and these are some of her very favorites. She loves Ina, too.
+ Simply Julia: 40 Easy Recipes for Healthy Comfort Food by Julia Turshen +
+ Cook What You Have: Make a Meal Out of Almost Anything by Christopher Kimball +
+ I Dream of Dinner by Ali Slagle +
+ Milk Street Vegetables by Christopher Kimball +
+ Salad Freak: Recipes to Feed a Healthy Obsession by Jess Damuck +
+ Milk Street Cookish: Throw it Together by Christopher Kimball +
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