My Favorite Cookbooks (Part 1)
By Josephine
My Favorite Cookbooks (Part 1)
As much as I love perusing fun recipes from food content creators on Instagram and TikTok, there’s something sweetly special about physical recipes and cookbooks. Though I grew up in a house with a small kitchen and limited storage space, my mom had no shortage of cookbooks. Even now, I can picture her cabinet shelf, tightly packed both vertically and horizontally with a plethora of well-loved cookbooks. When I moved to my new apartment, I was so excited to build my own personal collection of cookbooks. I can’t wait for the gorgeous glossy pages to become dogeared and marred by spills and splatters over time, which are signs of good use and a busy kitchen.
Whenever I feel too lazy or uninspired to cook, I can rely on these creative cookbooks to remind me how fun, varied, and nourishing a homemade meal can be. I often give these cookbooks as housewarming presents because they’re beautiful to display, practical, inspiring, and joyful. This is going to be a two-part post because I couldn’t fit all of my favorites here!
America’s #1 cookbook with over 40 million copies sold, the iconic red plaid cover was a fixture in my childhood. Originally published in the 1930s, the cookbook has remained a classic through every newly published edition and innovations in cooking, such as the microwave. I personally can’t remember a Christmas when we didn’t make sugar cookies using the Better Homes and Gardens recipe, and the old-fashioned beef stew is, in my opinion, the greatest of all time. I also appreciate that this cookbook is a three-ring binder that always lies flat (genius!) and has neatly labeled tabs for breads, soups, appetizers, mains, and desserts.
My favorites: sugar cookies, old-fashioned beef stew, apple dumplings, and gingerbread cookies.
A couple years ago, I decided to try eating a more plant-based diet. During this time, I struggled to find meatless versions of the Korean dishes I grew up enjoying. I was genuinely worried that I’d have to avoid some of my favorite Korean recipes and flavors entirely. However, when my friend Vibha gave me the The Korean Vegan cookbook for Christmas, I was delighted to see classics like kimchi chigae so thoughtfully reimagined. As a bonus, Joanne also writes beautifully about her personal connection to her family and food. The cookbook’s emotional introduction made me tear up a little and every section begins with a personal essay featuring some of Joanne’s favorite recipes.
My favorites: dooboo jeon (tofu cakes), kimchi chigae (kimchi stew), tteokbokki (rice cake) arrabbiata, and the Korean BBQ black bean burgers.
I’ve been following Meredith Hayden’s journey since her early days as a private chef in New York City and the Hamptons. So many of her simple recipes have gone viral and appeared on my Instagram feed, so I was intrigued when she announced her Wishbone Kitchen cookbook. Because her recipes are always vibrant and focused on the freshest seasonal foods, her cookbook is full of gorgeous, bright, and colorful photos. Admittedly, going to the grocery store or farmer’s market for some of the required ingredients might seem fussy, but I promise her recipes and the cooking techniques aren’t complicated at all. Her focus on shareable dishes (think big salads and substantial side dishes) make hosting an impressive dinner party considerably easier than it looks.
My favorites: sungold pasta, green garlic & ginger chicken and rice soup (affectionately nicknamed “swamp soup” by her social media followers), and olive oil cake with peaches and cream.
This cookbook is truly wonderful. Dessert has a special place in my heart; my sweet tooth is notorious and I can’t end the day without some kind of treat! Claire Saffitz makes the most complicated pastries and desserts approachable, versatile, and fun to make. I’ve learned so many baking tips and tricks from this cookbook and Claire’s YouTube channel - when I watch her video tutorials, it feels like I’m hanging out with an extremely talented mentor in the most well-equipped kitchen ever! I also think her flavor combinations are unmatched in their inventiveness: earl grey and apricot, pecan and pineapple, plum and pistachio...the mouthwatering list continues!
My favorites: double-apple crumb cake, meyer lemon tart, chewy molasses spice cookies, and chocolate buttermilk cake.
If you have a favorite cookbook, please let me know! I’d love to seek them out and try a new recipe or two.