New cookbooks help you seize May for all it’s worth + a dip to tote all summer, a turkey burger with a twist, plus a yummy corn and feta salad because we need more corn salads, right?
I love to buy new cookbooks, but I've started to get rid of the ones that don't inspire me. Do other people feel ok with cleaning them out once in awhile?
I definitely feel ok cleaning out cookbooks especially when I gift them to someone who might enjoy the book. Hang on to sentimental cookbooks. I learned that selling Moosewood in a 1993 garage sale.
Karen, this is a constant struggle for me as I am blessed to have steady supply of fabulous review copies coming to my door, but I do not have the space to keep them all and am forced to make tough decisions regularly! I donate many of them to my sister's small nonprofit fundraiser (she hosts bi-annual cookbook sales with my leftovers in her carport!) and it's a good feeling knowing they're re-homed to an appreciative taker. There are books I appreciate primarily for reading and those I am the most ruthless about getting rid of once I have gleaned them. The ones I keep are the ones that truly inspire me to get in the kitchen and cook. sometimes the ones I like best are those I wouldn't have thought to buy, but turn out to have really good recipes that work perfectly and make me feel like I've learned something.
I agree. I either give them away or take them to a place like Half Price Books where they'll find a new home. There are books certain authors I would never get rid of (yes, you Anne :)), those I feel nostalgic about and those that simply inspire me and I love to cook from them.
Marion Cunningham's The Breakfast Book. The Silver Palate, Jane Brody's Good Food Book and The Good Food Gourmet, Everything by Deborah Madison especially The Savory Way and The Greens Cookbook and my all time favorites - Laurie Colwin's Home Cooking and More Home Cooking. I need to think about what more current books I like - I know there are some.
I have nearly all of those— still! Jane Brody’s good food book was one of my most used books for years when I was first starting to cook. And still have Deborah Madison’s books and of course can’t give up my silver palate. We have similar tastes!
I need to mention one of my very favorite cookbooks of all time - Jane Brody's Good Food Book. It came out in the early 80's when I was newly married and I have used it ever since. I pick up extra copies when I find them at yard sales or in used book stores so I can give friends a copy. Absolutely my favorite book for cooking seasonal and healthy food that tases great. I learned how to make pesto from that book - that was very exotic in the 80's!
Good to know! I think I owned that book in the 80s and interviewed Jane Brody several times during the health food era. She was a trailblazer! Other favorite recipes in that book?
I credit her with teaching me how to cook and it's the kind of food we eat every day. Simple ideas like taking her Ratatoille recipe, putting it on a pita with cheese and making an individual pizza. I also make a lot of the soup recipes. It has the Cranberry Bread and Pumpkin Bread recipes that I've used over and over. It also showed me how to do things like make turley soup using the turkey carcass from the Thanksgiving turkey. There is also a second book called Good Food Gourmet that has many recipes that I use all the time.
I love to buy new cookbooks, but I've started to get rid of the ones that don't inspire me. Do other people feel ok with cleaning them out once in awhile?
I definitely feel ok cleaning out cookbooks especially when I gift them to someone who might enjoy the book. Hang on to sentimental cookbooks. I learned that selling Moosewood in a 1993 garage sale.
You sold Moosewood! Did you get another copy of it later?
Yes, what was I thinking? I did buy another but it didn’t have my notes in margins.
Karen, this is a constant struggle for me as I am blessed to have steady supply of fabulous review copies coming to my door, but I do not have the space to keep them all and am forced to make tough decisions regularly! I donate many of them to my sister's small nonprofit fundraiser (she hosts bi-annual cookbook sales with my leftovers in her carport!) and it's a good feeling knowing they're re-homed to an appreciative taker. There are books I appreciate primarily for reading and those I am the most ruthless about getting rid of once I have gleaned them. The ones I keep are the ones that truly inspire me to get in the kitchen and cook. sometimes the ones I like best are those I wouldn't have thought to buy, but turn out to have really good recipes that work perfectly and make me feel like I've learned something.
I agree. I either give them away or take them to a place like Half Price Books where they'll find a new home. There are books certain authors I would never get rid of (yes, you Anne :)), those I feel nostalgic about and those that simply inspire me and I love to cook from them.
Me too! I’d love to know some of your favorites that you can’t part with.
Marion Cunningham's The Breakfast Book. The Silver Palate, Jane Brody's Good Food Book and The Good Food Gourmet, Everything by Deborah Madison especially The Savory Way and The Greens Cookbook and my all time favorites - Laurie Colwin's Home Cooking and More Home Cooking. I need to think about what more current books I like - I know there are some.
I can’t part with Silver Palate either. That was such an iconic time in food.
I have nearly all of those— still! Jane Brody’s good food book was one of my most used books for years when I was first starting to cook. And still have Deborah Madison’s books and of course can’t give up my silver palate. We have similar tastes!
Happy I make the cut!! 😂
Yay! I love a trusted source for my cookbook purchases. Thank you for the recipes, too!
That’s the true test of a new cookbook! The recipes and do they work and taste good.
Some great cookbook picks and recipes! Thanks so very much, Anne and Susan!
I love other people’s perspectives when it comes to new cookbooks. I get so set in my own ways.
Delicious!
Thanks Jolene!! ❤️
“Self care in the kitchen…” 💜
I have Southern Living, Betty Crocker--several versions, including my grandma's, BH&G, and a slew of other ones. I really need to pare down.
Thanks for the new suggestions.
Happy Mother's Day!
I need to mention one of my very favorite cookbooks of all time - Jane Brody's Good Food Book. It came out in the early 80's when I was newly married and I have used it ever since. I pick up extra copies when I find them at yard sales or in used book stores so I can give friends a copy. Absolutely my favorite book for cooking seasonal and healthy food that tases great. I learned how to make pesto from that book - that was very exotic in the 80's!
Good to know! I think I owned that book in the 80s and interviewed Jane Brody several times during the health food era. She was a trailblazer! Other favorite recipes in that book?
I credit her with teaching me how to cook and it's the kind of food we eat every day. Simple ideas like taking her Ratatoille recipe, putting it on a pita with cheese and making an individual pizza. I also make a lot of the soup recipes. It has the Cranberry Bread and Pumpkin Bread recipes that I've used over and over. It also showed me how to do things like make turley soup using the turkey carcass from the Thanksgiving turkey. There is also a second book called Good Food Gourmet that has many recipes that I use all the time.
Thank you!
Yum yum!!! To the kitchen we go
What a great cookbook rundown.
Thank you!