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Every home cook needs at least one or two cookbooks in their kitchen. Up until this point in my life, I never thought about having a library in my home. As I’ve fallen more in love with reading over the last few years, I’ve found a love and desire to fill my home with books. Most would think to have books in a home office or area dedicated to reading. My goal is to have books in every room of my house. The kitchen is no exception.
I used to think that if I wanted to find out how to make something that I could easily find it on the internet. This is something that I still believe. The internet, Pinterest specifically, is a magical wonderland where you can learn to do or be anything. However, there is something equally as magical as cooking a home cooked meal from a cookbook.
I look at cookbooks as an adventure. Each book is filled with recipes you probably never thought of making. With the right cookbooks any home cook can explore a different culture from the comfort of your own kitchen or challenge yourself to learn new cooking skills like Julie in Julie & Julia (one of my favorite books). There is so much you can learn as a home cook from cookbooks. I want to encourage you to change it up a bit in the kitchen. Your tastebuds will thank you.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book My Drunk Kitchen Holidays! How to Savor and Celebrate the Year by Hannah Hart from the publisher, Plume of Penguin Random House, in exchange for my honest review. The opinions of this book are my own.
My Drunk Kitchen Holidays! How to Savor and Celebrate the Year by Hannah Hart.
This isn’t your typical cookbook. This book is full of fun. Each month features fun days to celebrate. But, we aren’t talking your typical holidays here. Nope. Hannah keeps it interesting with different days to celebrate each month. Some days Hannah suggests celebrating throughout the year are days like “I Am In Control Day” in March or “Video Games Day” in September (my boys will like this one). This is more than a typical “cookbook” it’s an inspirational book worth reading all year round.
HelloFresh Recipes that Work: More than 100 step-by-step recipes & techniques by Patrick Drake.
I did a post about Hello Fresh way back when they were a fairly new company. One of the takeaways I learned from trying out Hello Fresh was how it is a great way to learn a different way to cook. Hello Fresh challenges you to try different ingredients and flavor combinations. As a home cook I like to have a challenge every once in a while because let’s face it cooking the same thing every week can be a little boring. The recipes I did try of theirs were phenomenal. I love that I stumbled upon this cookbook. If you want to step out of your comfort zone and get a little adventurous in the kitchen, this is the cookbook to grab.
The Walking Dead: The Official Cookbook and Survival Guide by Lauren Wilson
Anyone else a huge fan of The Walking Dead? My husband and I have been loyal to this show from the very beginning. We may be a little partial because the show takes place and is filmed in Georgia. Regardless, each season seems to get better and better. Browsing cookbooks on Amazon, I was ecstatic to see a cookbook for our favorite show. I want to add this one to my collection just for the sake of Carol’s cookies.
Mad Hungry Family: 120 Essential Recipes to Feed the Whole Crew by Lucinda Scala Quinn
Recipes that can feed the whole family will always have a place in my heart. I cook almost everything, from scratch, at home. When you are a home cook, you can never have enough recipes. Sometimes the tried and true recipes just get a little bit old. So change it up a bit and make something a little bit different by cooking someone else’s recipe. A new recipe you try to make in your kitchen is just as good as a night out to a new restaurant. If you are a mom to a household of boys like I am, you might be more interested in the Mad Hungry: Feeding Men & Boys cookbook instead.
Matty Matheson: A Cookbook by Matty Matheson.
I LOVE Matty. I’ve been hooked on his style of cooking ever since I stumbled upon him on YouTube. I love his approach to life and cooking. He is very entertaining to watch. I don’t think anyone will forget his macaroni and cheese. If I could hang out with any chef in the world, it would be this guy. Opening up his cookbook in the kitchen would be like hanging out with Matty himself.
Every Day is Saturday: Recipes + Strategies for Easy Cooking, Every Day of the Week by Sarah Copeland
Quick and easy cooking is my favorite style of cooking. I don’t really want to be in the kitchen more than an hour, two tops. If I can whip up something tasty and delicious in a small amount of time, then I’m a fan. This cookbook is intriguing because who doesn’t love a delicious Saturday meal. But honestly, this cookbook caught my eye for the claim of easy cooking. Some nights, you just want to cook something quick, easy, and delicious.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat
If you want to know more about the elements or science behind cooking. This is the cookbook for you. Good cooking has a little bit of each element: a little salt, a little fat, a little acid, and a little heat. Fun fact: this is also a Netflix series. Look it up!
The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook by Annie Gray
Have you seen the movie yet? Oh my heart. I just watched this movie last night and….Oh! the emotions. The characters of Downton are some of my favorite out of any cast. I think the movie was nicely done. It picked right back up where the show left off. It felt like such a tease though. I wish this show would return, or perhaps another movie. I don’t know what the future of Downton Abbey will be. But, I do know that with the Downton Abbey cookbook, you can enjoy a little bit of Downton each time you make a recipe.
Chinese Takeout Cookbook: From Chop Suey to Sweet ‘n’ Sour, Over 70 Recipes to Re-create Your Favorites by Kwoklyn Wan
Yes, my one true love. I am a big fan of Chinese cuisine. Anytime I can replicate a restaurant favorite in the comfort of my own home, I am all about it. This cookbook would be my go-to anytime I had a craving for Chinese takeout. This cookbook has 70 recipes. Such a great way to learn how to cook your restaurant favorites and discover something new.
From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen by Snoop Dogg
You gotta end the list with the best. First of all, I had no idea that Snoop Dogg could cook. But I am here for it. I’ve been a fan of Snoop for the longest. I’m talking way back to the ’90s when MTV actually played music videos. I’m curious what kinds of recipes he has in this book.
This list of incredible cookbooks is just the smallest percentage of what has been published. A home cook can find cookbooks on anything they are looking to create. Challenge yourself. Take an adventure inside your own kitchen.
For more book recommendations check out my bookshelf on Amazon or GoodReads.
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