Have you ever wondered which cookbooks truly deserve a spot on your kitchen shelf?
Whether you’re dreaming of wowing guests with holiday-perfect cinnamon rolls or mastering a melt-in-your-mouth pot roast, the right cookbook can be a game-changer for any home cook.
In this episode, we’re diving into the cookbooks that have shaped how we cook—well-loved gems with splattered pages, the ones we gift over and over, and the timeless classics that every home chef should own.
By the end of the episode you’ll discover:
Why a cookbook with a collection of diverse recipes can be just as (if not more) supportive than one from a single author’s voice
How a chef from a top restaurant can teach you professional techniques that transform home cooking
The standout recipes from best-selling cookbooks that you’ll want to make on repeat
Hit play to uncover how these books spark joy, build confidence, and turn your everyday cooking into something extra special in the kitchen!
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Links:
Kari’s top 5:
Most cooked from: The 150 Best American Recipes, by Fran McCullough and Molly Stevens – https://www.mollystevenscooks.com/the-best-american-recipe-series
Most inspiring: Food of Life: Ancient Persian and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies, by Najmieh Batmanglij – https://www.najmieh.com/book/food-of-life-ancient-persian-and-modern-iranian-cooking-and-ceremonies/
Gifted the most to others: Sonya’s cookbook Braids, https://www.sonyasanford.com/book and The Cooks Illustrated Cookbook https://www.powells.com/book/-9781933615899/7-5?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA88a5BhDPARIsAFj595iHOEKVbt0F3llsFNk16cEO9p1Meb4CPAb47h8VZtUwU8Zgzl1MXlkaArAbEALw_wcB
Life changing: The Improvisational Cook, by Sally Schneider – https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-improvisational-cook-sally-schneider?variant=40975294038050
Biggest influence: The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook, by Amelia Satlzman
Sonya’s top 5: https://santamonicahistory.org/product/sm-farmers-market-cookbook/
Most cooked from: Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/225366/jerusalem-by-yotam-ottolenghi-and-sami-tamimi/
Most inspiring: Summer Kitchens by Olia Hercules
Gifted the most ot others: Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking – https://www.powells.com/book/-9780394584041/1-30?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA88a5BhDPARIsAFj595gak6A7ko1BvZ_qDh-91mOcrnu92nD79Z7BxinnaGWetGY44S2SMGUaApJrEALw_wcB and Julia Turshen’s Small Victories -https://www.juliaturshen.com/small-victories
Life changing: The Book of Jewish Food by Claudia Roden https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/156485/the-book-of-jewish-food-by-claudia-roden/9780394532585/?ref=PRHB7BD76FBDB&aid=14813&linkid=PRHB7BD76FBDB
Biggest influence: Prune: A Cookbook, by Gabrielle Hamilton https://www.amazon.com/Prune-Gabrielle-Hamilton/dp/0812994094
Recipe links from this episode:
Diana Kennedy’s Mexican corn soup https://dianescookbooks.wordpress.com/2018/09/05/mexican-corn-soup/
Butternut squash tahini spread from Jerusalem
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/sep/09/butternut-tahini-spread-batata-recipes
Fresh Herb Khoresh (Khoresh-e qormeh sabzi) from Food of Life
https://asiasociety.org/blog/asia/fresh-herb-khoresh-khoresh-e-qormeh-sabzi
Julia Turshen’s turkey meatball recipe from Small Victories https://www.thekitchn.com/turkey-ricotta-meatballs-recipe-23044552
Toasted manti https://dish.co.nz/recipes/toasted-manti-garlic-yogurt-and-cayenne-pepper-butter/?srsltid=AfmBOop4ZQgI5GPpbiydvkhm-TEiCaejviBOcL43CDhI0P2QwI4olUSi
and cold candied oranges – https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/good-food/recipe-cold-candied-oranges by Gabrielle Hamilton from Prune
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