12 years ago I owned 2 cookbooks, and now I have enough to open a small shot. My first cookbook was an impulse buy I made while living in South Africa called The Complete South African Cookbook. I bought with my last few Rand that I had in my pocket while I waited to board my flight home after one of the best years of my life. What an 18 year old needed with a cookbook is beyond me, but it has been with me ever since despite only being used a few times, it is one of my most prized books. Several years later, I was given my 2nd cookbook, my mother gave me The El Charro Cafe Cookbook as a wedding present. It is so dog eared and worn that you would think I cooked Mexican food for the first few years of our marriage — truth is, they have the best Margarita recipe inside, and the photos reminded me so much of home on those cold winter London days that I looked at the pictures more than I cooked with it. It was not until Margeaux was born that I began collecting cookbooks like some people collect stamps (do people really still do that?). At first they were focused on weaning, making baby food and basic cooking skills almanacs that I would hover over, finding delight when the pages were marked with flour or mushy peas because on some level it made me feel grown up and domestic. As the children grew, so too did my collection…as I write this we are packing up our kitchen preparing for our move to Seattle in June, and I count over 60 cookbooks. Apparently I have a problem, because 60 just does not seem like enough, especially when I browse the cookbook section and discover new books that I simply must have. Among them are these 4 beauties that at the moment are resting on my bedside table, whispering for my attention each night and filling my dreams with spicy gumbo, baked apples, kale salad and Parmesan hash browns.
While the other 60 are packed away for our long journey up north, these 4 beauties will be within arms reach should the inspiration strike on our first night in our new kitchen.
The Muffin Tin Chef by Matt Kadey. Who knew that the muffin tin could be such an over achiever and the home entertainers best friend? I love the concept of taking your favorite meals and creating miniature versions using nothing more than a muffin tin. With 101 recipes and 65 stunning photographs, this cookbook is full of healthy menu ideas ideal for brunch, entertaining or simply adding a twist to some of your favorite dishes. Find out more about Matt Kadey and his new book here.
Eat Raw Eat Well by Douglas NcNish. Raw, Vegan and Gluten-Free recipes are all the rage right now, and there is no better time to try these healthy menu ideas than in the summer. Written for both those that fully embrace a raw food lifestyle and those (like me) that like to dabble in it. The recipes are easy to follow and are all nutrient-rich, making it one of the healthiest cookbooks I have on my shelf. Find out more about a Raw Food Lifestyle and Douglas McNish’s new book here.
Pure Style: Recipes for Every Day by Jane Cumberbatch. This book is like a journey back into London living for me. It is a visual notebook of cooking, gardening and modern lifestyle tips that offer up seasonal recipes and inspirations for every day healthy living. Sketches and photos bring the pages to life, making the reader hungry to tie on an apron and put the kettle on. Read more about Jane Cumberbatch’s new book here.
If You Can’t Stand the Heat by Robert Medina. I love it when a passion for great food turns into a fabulous cookbook, and this New Orleans Fire Fighter knows how to turn up the heat. His simple to follow steps can turn anyone into a Gumbo expert, and if you like Southern Louisiana cooking, you will love how his Firefighter kitchen skills make New Orleans style cooking in your own kitchen possible. Read more about Robert Medina’s Firehouse cookbook here.
Recommended Reading
My Family Table | housewifebliss.com
Robin Takes 5 | housewifebliss.com
Friends at the Table | housewifebliss.com