Lisa’s Top 10 Cookbooks

…that she may have cooked from or just stared longingly at the photos!

“Another cookbook I see,” my husband said to me as I flipped through my Library book. “Cookbooks: they’re picture books for adults.” 

I had to laugh because he’s right in a way. Who doesn’t love a cookbook with photos so glorious you want to pick up a spoon (or a fork, or a knife, or anything!) and dig into the page? Whenever you grab a new cookbook, the first thing you do is go through it just to look at the photos! Don’t deny it; you know I’m right! 

As I contemplated all the cookbooks that I’ve brought home, I decided it was time to put my inner chef to work and actually make a recipe from every cookbook I check out.

Now the problem is: where to start? Here are just a few on my list:

• Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook by Cheryl Day
  Words cannot express how much I love the warm hug this book gives me. I’ve checked this one out more times than I can remember! It has homespun, loving recipes, and the photos are simply wonderful. The Days also have another book—Back in the Day Bakery, Made with Love, which is every bit as fabulous. 
• The Goldberg’s Cookbook by Beverly Goldberg 
  As a fan of the show, I had to check out this accompanying recipe delight. It contains ’80s recipes (ah I sure do miss the ’80s!) that are perfect nostalgia in the form of delicious food. Tater Tot Casserole, anyone? 
• The Little Library Cookbook by Kate Young
  Recipes inspired by your favorite books. I love this book not just for its enticing recipes, but for the great book references as well. New Year’s Day Turkey Curry—can you guess which book inspired that one*? 
• Sweetie Pie’s Cookbook by Robbie Montgomery 
  Oh my, soulful southern recipes! This lovely book has wonderful snippets of stories and lessons surrounding the recipes. I call these “happy recipes,” and I’m sure you will too!  
• Grandma’s German Cookbook by Birgit Hamm 
  My Omi [Omi is German for Nan/Nanny] made the best roulades with red cabbage. Seeing that the first recipe in the book was just that brought back many wonderful memories!
• The Dog-Gone Good Cookbook by Gayle Pruitt
  Hear me out on this one. I was hooked by the subtitle: “100 Easy, Healthy Recipes for Dogs and Humans.” With home cooking being popular with dog owners, what could be more perfect than cooking for both at the same time!  
• The Chocolate Addict’s Baking Book by Sabine Venier
  You had me at chocolate and 75 recipes! S’mores Chocolate Cheesecake bars? Yum!
• Recipes from a Mexican Grandmother’s Kitchen by Jane Milton 
  During my first year of marriage, I asked my husband what he wanted for his birthday dinner. He wanted Mexican food. Having never cooked a Mexican dish before, off to the Library I went. This was the perfect book, and my work got a nod of approval from the hubs. 
• The Tucci Cookbook by Stanley Tucci
  After watching Julie and Julia, starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Stanley Tucci, I instantly placed a hold on Julia Child’s famous Mastering the Art of French Cooking and also Stanley Tucci’s book. This is his family’s Italian cookbook, and I highly recommend Tucci’s ragu sauce. Delish!  
• Daisy Cakes Bakes by Kim Nelson
  I’m a big fan of the sauces section in this delightful book. I am not certain about the “pork rind-crusted cheesecake” though!  

So while I totter off to the kitchen with my Library cookbook in hand, I suggest you get online, explore our wonderful range of cookbooks, and check out some today!  

I’ll meet you in the kitchen. Bon appétit! 

Lisa P 
Information and Reader Services Department 

*Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding