Getting Inspired With Cookbooks

I think sometimes people don’t think of cookbooks as “actual books.” Those who tend towards reading snobbery can often look down on reading anything that was written in the last century or that actually serves a practical purpose. I personally disagree, as anyone who follows along with my reading logs will be able to tell. I frequently include cookbooks in my reading for multiple reasons:

1. They are easy reads that help me get back into reading when I’m struggling to finish anything.

2. They help me learn more about specific ways of cooking/eating, and they often spark ideas for how to help my kitchen run more smoothly. Reading recipes help me better understand different cooking techniques and also where ingredient swaps can be easily made.

3. Cookbook authors often have more “voice” (that characteristic where you hear the author’s natural personality coming through in their writing) than authors of other types of practical books; I imagine this is due to needing to “convince” you to make a recipe in an often very short introduction. For this reason, a good cookbook author will have to make every word count.

4. In an effort to save money on groceries, I’ve been planning our meals this year based on what food we already have on hand in our fridge, freezer, and pantry (just buying what’s needed to fill in the gaps). Sometimes I’ll get in a slump and look at the ingredients in my kitchen with no idea what to make with them; the more time I spend reading and perusing cookbooks, the more easily I come up with different ways to use up what I have.

5. Designating a shelf in my kitchen cupboards as my “cookbook shelf” allows me a little more space to store books, and when my regular shelves are full I can easily justify bringing home another new book since it’s a cookbook and will be stored in my kitchen 😉).

In December, I especially find myself turning to cookbooks more often, both as I plan holiday meals and baking, and as I look ahead to the new year and any changes I want to make with our diet and eating habits. If, like me, you are looking for some cookbooks to explore in the new year, I’ll close with some of our family’s tried-and-true favorites.

1. Trim Healthy Future by Rashida Simpson: Most of the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) cookbooks are actually written by Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett, but this one by their niece, Rashida, is my favorite. I love any cookbooks by THM, though, and their eating plan is almost always where I turn when I feel like we need to be eating healthier as a family. 

2. Celebrate Every Season by Six Sisters Stuff: Again, I own several cookbooks by Six Sisters Stuff, but this one (and their Christmas one, 12 Days of Christmas) are my favorites for seasonal recipes. Most of my holiday recipes come from these two cookbooks.

3. The Prairie Homestead Cookbook by Jill Winger: Making Jill’s recipes will make you feel like your Ma Ingalls. This is filled with simple, yummy, and healthy food.

4. Easy Awesome Bundt Cakes by Dawn Madsen: I bought the digital version of this cookbook last year and am obsessed with these fun and easy desserts! She just released a physical version of it this month, and I love mine so much I may buy a physical copy, too.

5. Anything by Pioneer Woman: Even if you don’t want to make her recipes, you should absolutely buy her cookbooks just for reading enjoyment because she’s such an entertaining writer. I also love her recipes for things that I’m not very comfortable making, since she gives pictures of each step of the recipe and very detailed (but not overwhelming) instructions.

6. The Grace-Filled Homestead Cookbook by Lana Stenner: I haven’t actually made anything from this cookbook yet since it’s pretty new to me still, but the recipes in it look so fun! Lots of things to make with edible flowers, which I know my girls will love, and the simplest instructions for sourdough starter I’ve ever seen.

7. 100 Days of Real Food by Lisa Leake: Lots of great simple recipes focusing on whole foods.