dishoncookingI own some great cookbooks that I would recommend to you and others that I wouldn’t! (last updated 8/3/09)
#1 ALL TIME FAVORITE: The Bride & Groom First and Forever by sisters Mary Corpening Barber and Sarah Corpening Whiteford, 2003, Chronicle Books. These talented ladies were the first to show me how fulfilling and rewarding cooking well can be and how important it is for a family to enjoy meal time. I will slowly but surely review the many recipes I’ve made from this book, Rating: 5 Stars
#2 easy breakfast and brunchpublished by Ryland, Peters and Small. A very easy to use and fun cookbook makes weekends better! I’ve loved nearly every recipe I’ve made and I’m anxious to make more. Rating 5 Stars.
#3 The Barbecue! Bible by grill master Steven Raichlen. My husband loves this cookbook and has made quite a few from this over time. We love the variety and we love to grill, so, it’s a winner. Rating 5 Stars.
#4 Simply Organic written by Jess Ziff Cool. I’ve only had this for about 6 months and it’s broken out by season which is why I really like it, but I haven’t made it through a year yet. Her recipes take into consideration seasonal produce which is really helpful and she does a great job – they are delicious! My only compliant is that there are a lot of sides or light meals and I need full entrees to feed my husband! Rating 5 Stars.
#5 Everyday Italian by Giada de Laurentiis is a lot of fun. I’ll review it eventually and tell you what’s best, but the cannoli cream with fresh berries is FANTASTIC, I love making it. Rating 4 Stars.
#6 Giada’s Family Dinners also by Giada. This is a new cookbook for me so I have yet to review many – but I will. Let me know if you have favs! Rating: N/A just yet.
#7 Everyday Pasta, my last one by Giada. Can’t say I have a lot of favs from this book…so again, let me know if you’ve had success. Rating: 2 Stars.
#8 Barefoot Contessa at Home by the fun Ina Garten. There are a few clear winners in here like the lemon fusilli with arugula (p.120) and she has a lot of great sides like the mustard-roasted potatoes (p.153). Her desserts look great too, just haven’t had a chance to make many of them yet. Rating: 3 Stars.
#9 Barefoot Contessa Family Stylealso obviously by Ina Garten. I’ve made quite a few from this cookbook and recommend it over the “at home” book. Check out the short ribs from my posting on 8/3 for a short rib recipe from this book. I will eventually review more here. Rating 4 Stars.
#10 Rachel Ray 365: No Repeats. My take on Rachel is before her magazine, her recipes were big hits or big misses. There are some mainstays from this book that I rely on for a quick dinner like the Park City Cashew Chicken #108 and my husband’s all time favorite burger, a Burger for Brad #259. I have made the Saucy BBQ Chicken Sammies for entertaining and guests loved it! Rating 3 Stars.
#11 Big Orange Book also by Rachel Ray. My husband gave this to me for Christmas and I’ve made quite a few – these recipes are more consistently good compared to the 365. Try the Seared Salmon with Potato-Chorizo Ragu on page 215 – it’s a great combo! I also like the Shrimp with Garlic on page 254 and served it with a combo of salad and rice. Overall I really like this cookbook – so far they have been really interesting and tasty, I can always find the ingredients, and it’s not very complicated. Rating 4 Stars. (Potentially 5, as I make more. Trending upwards!)
#12 everyday celebrations by Donata Maggipinto. I received this as a gift and have found some really original menus. The author takes the four seasons and suggests themed parties to throw for each season. I liked the Roast Chicken with Asian Flavors (p. 44) with coconut rice and green beans also in the cookbook. It was pretty easy and was very tasty. My favorite though and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this, are the Nectarine-ginger Pancakes with World’s Easiest Blueberry Sauce (p. 68). It was so good – even my friend (Paul) who never eats breakfast, ate them. My only complaint is many of these recipes aren’t easily approachable. Rating 3.5 Stars.
#13 Seriously Simple Holidays by Diane Rossen Worthington. This book was recommended to me by a perfect stranger and I’m so glad! I use it more around the holidays as there are plenty of great recipes in this book. I will review it closer to the holiday season. I do remember not all were so “simple,” but most were definitely worth it! Rating 4 Stars.
#14 Smoothies and #15 Super Smoothies by sisters Mary Corpening Barber and Sarah Corpening Whiteford. This is how these very talented sisters got started and we should be so grateful! I wish I made more smoothies because these books certainly give you lots to choose from. I highly recommend them. Rating 5 Stars.
#16 Cocktail Food by Mary Corpening Barber and Sarah Corpening Whiteford. I used this book exclusively for a very, very fun party for about 60 people and the food was terrific! Can’t wait to review it to tell you all about it. Rating 5 Stars.
#17 Nick Narin’s Top 100 Salmon Recipes. I got this when I was living in the UK for 6 months – I can’t imagine you have this in your collection but I’ll share some of these recipes eventually. I like salmon – it’s versatile, easy and delicious and Nick has lots of good ideas. Rating 4 Stars.
Magazines I love to cook from:
Bon Appetit
Living Magazine
Then I also check out allrecipes.com, foodnetwork.com, and epicurious.com often for recipes.
Cookbooks I own but haven’t tried much:
#18 Mastering the Art of French Cooking by the very famous Julia Child
#19 The Silver Spoon This is a very popular Italian cookbook from Italy but I’ve had a really difficult time getting into it. Please tell me if you have recommendations, I’m dying to get into it!
#20 Wine Bar Food by Cathy Mantuano and Tony Mantuano. I’m dying to try this food but am also having a difficult time getting into it. Again, if you can recommend recipes in here, please let me know.
#21 The Bon Appetit Fast Easy Fresh Cookbook. I have tried a handful and enjoy them, just haven’t had it that long.
#22 easy desserts published in the same fashion as easy breakfast & brunch, I’m sure these are great, but I have only tried a couple things so far. I tried the Summer Berry Cobbler on page 62 and it was a lot of fun – we loved it. I also made the Strawberry Buttermilk Cake (p 94) and it was really nice.
#23 The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters. Highly recommended I used it when I first got it but then moved on…will return eventually.
#24 The Gourmet Slow Cooker by Lynn Alley. I have tried a few in here but didn’t enjoy it this much…I may give this one up.
#25
