My Go-To Everyday Cookbooks
Ina, Molly, Carla, and Joshua. My current favorite cookbook authors are creating some heavenly, mouth-watering meals you must try. Inspiring new delicious flavor combos, check. Easy everyday recipes that make you a better cook, check. These are the cookbooks I use every week when I want finger-licking, wholesome meals.
Here is my go-to, count on any time, and will never steer you to a wrong list of the best cookbooks.
Cookbooks for beginners and seasoned cooks.
These recipes are all incredibly simple and beginner-friendly. No matter what your cooking level, there is something here for you. If you are a skilled foodie who loves trying new recipes or are a newbie looking for tasty meals to mix up the week. The recipes in these books have become staples in my everyday cooking and have provided endless inspiration for my own cooking creations. Good recipes don't have to be complicated to be tasty.
The recipes you need to know how to cook.
I’m also going to share a few must-try recipes from each book. If you are vegetarian, vegan, or a meat-eater, these books have it all. You will come away feeling empowered to try new recipes and get inspired to experiment on your own too. As a passionate cook, I find it incredibly valuable to hear what cookbooks others like and try out. Everyone likes different things about different recipes. Learning what things other’s found helpful or changed in a recipe I think is a part of becoming a good cook.
My Go-To Cookbooks:
Ok hopefully you’ve already added a few of those books to your Amazon cart but if not that’s ok here are the recipe I’m loving from each book! Gives you some inspiration for your own cooking and help you try something new. Ok, keep reading.
Recipes on Repeat…
Cook This Book by Molly Baz
Can I just say I love Molly Baz. I first found her from Bon Appetit and now follow everything she makes. She really understands and has mastered how to combine flavors and textures into a completely unique experience. Nothing is left out. Every crunchy and salty bite, her recipes are just so good.
My favorite recipes, I’m really having a hard time picking just three…
Pastrami Roast Chicken with Schmaltzy Onions and Dill. The first recipe of the book and it’s probably my favorite. If you only learn to cook one thing make it this roasted chicken. The schmaltzy caramelized onion and roasted garlic, mixed with dill is really something special. Topped with mustard for that tangy bite. It’s wow.
Peanutty Pork Noodles with Crunchy Celery. Peanut and Pork! Who knew it was so dreamy. This one is so addicting. I make this slightly less spicy by adding less sriracha otherwise it’s so good. I love this dish because it comes together in 30 minutes, and is super simple to throw together.
Sunday Brisket. This had to make the list. I just recently made this for easter and it was so tasty. I used chuck roast instead of brisket because it was cheaper. Such a simple recipe with so few ingredients really lets the meat shine. The sauce is made up of tomatoes, rosemary, red onions, and chickpeas. My new go-to beef roast recipe.
2. Modern Comfort Food by Ina Garden
A classic cookbook. If you don’t own any Ina Garden cookbooks you’re really missing out. All simple flavorful meals, you just can’t go wrong.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup: In winter I probably make this almost every week its that good. It’s not creamy like you would think but is basically a better version of chicken noodle soup. More flavor, full of peas, carrots, rotisserie chicken, leeks, pearl onions, tarragon, and homemade chicken stock. Then Ina adds puff pastry croutons on top. The best warming winter weather soup.
Outrageous Garlic Bread: Everything you want it to be. Intensely garlicy, lots of parmesan, a little parsley, of course, lots of butter all on a baguette. It’s so good.
3. Six Seasons by Joshua McFadden
This book has helped me pursue my desire to eat more seasonally and opened my eyes to the vast world of vegetables. Every season is broken down by each veggie, packed with unique recipes. This cookbook has made me think about and cook with vegetables in a completely different way. No more boring, bland sad food.
Cabbage Onions Farro Soup: This is the soup you’d imagine your grandmother making, simmering on the stove. That meal that you can’t wait to curl up on a cold day and devour. I truly never knew how tasty cabbage could be. At first glance, you may pass over this but you’d be missing out. The cabbage is slowly cooked with onions, garlic, and rosemary until it becomes super tender and sweet. Then you add farro and lots of homemade chicken stock and let it simmer away. The best part is topping the steaming bowl of soup with a pile of freshly grated parmesan and serving with a large chunk of crusty bread. oh, it is so good.
Spiced Green Sauce: One of my favorite sauces I’m loving right now. This is packed with so much flavor, it’s bound to make every you put it on taste out of this world. Full of aromatic toasted seeds like cumin, coriander, and cardamom. Stuffed with cilantro, parsley, cloves, lemon, and fresh chilies all blended together with olive oil. This is the most versatile sauce I have found yet, hence why it’s my favorite. Tastes delish on eggs, drizzled over grilled veggies or slathered on sandwiches. The list goes on and on.
4. That Sounds So Good by Carla Lalli Music
Another absolute must-try cookbook. I love Carla’s name, by the way. She’s just amazing.
Ok, here are the recipes I make on repeat and never get sick of.
Pork Burgers with Cabbage Slaw: You really don’t need a grill to make an awesome burger with lots of flavors. Rich pork topped with a bright tangy creamy, crunchy slaw. Cumin, fennel, and cayenne are my new favorite spice combo. If you learn anything from this recipe it is to toast your spices. It’s a total game-changer. Another super easy go-to staple, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Charred Flatbreads with whipped Ricotta, Mushroom, and Scallions. This flatbread is an easy option for a quick summer night meal. Grill any veggies you like or add a different cheese. The flatbread is my personal favorite part of this recipe. Full of toasted cumin seeds and yogurt this bread is super tasty and has an incredibly soft, fluffy texture. The flatbread is the quintessential vessel for whatever toppings you like. Get creative; a great recipe for beginners, you can't mess it up.
I don’t know about you but, writing about food makes me so hungry! Check out my Instagram if you want to see weekly dinner ideas and watch me make my favorite meals. Let me know what cookbooks you’re excited to try!
Happy cooking!
New to the kitchen? I’ve got you covered.
Check out my favorite beginner-friendly cooking guides and recipes to get you started. You got this!
