With the kitchen renovation and Whole30 behind us, I am SO excited to get back into cooking exciting, elaborate meals. Sometime last summer, I really started getting into cookbooks. They feel like an art form, to be honest. The photos are always stunning and I love pouring over them, expanding my cooking repertoire. A few cookbooks have really risen to the top for me though. So today I wanted to share 5 of the best cookbooks that I truly think everyone should own!
The Best Cookbooks in My Collection That Everyone Should Own
Simply Nigella: Feel Good Food by Nigella Lawson
The cookbook that started it all for me! I can’t remember why I picked this one up, but I did and immediately fell in love. It’s really the first one that I read cover to cover before even making a recipe from it. Simply Nigella covers so many different, easy meals — especially ones for weeknight meals. The drunken noodles and crunchy chicken cutlets are personal faves.
The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from A Delicious Revolution by Alice Waters
If you need a go-to source for easy, everyday recipes, The Art of Simple Food is total perfection. My friend bought this cookbook and, while hanging out at their house, I poured over it, page by page… then immediately ordered a copy for myself. I love how Alice breaks down the WHY of a recipe. Plus, she also has great recommendations for variations on most recipes. Definitely try the braised oxtail, chicken noodle soup, and risotto bianco recipes.
The Minimalist Kitchen: 100 Wholesome Recipes, Essential Tools, and Efficient Techniques by Melissa Coleman
OMG you guys… The Minimalist Kitchen is truly the best cookbook. Every recipe I’ve tried comes out perfectly, every time. I can absolutely feel that Melissa worked hard to test each recipe, making sure they are perfect. I’m also a big fan of her suggestions for pantry storage, dry good essentials, and how she sets up her grocery shopping lists. Personal favorites include butternut pasta, sun-dried Greek pasta, and beef tacos with chimichurri.
Small Victories: Recipes, Advice + Hundreds of Ideas for Home Cooking Triumphs by Julia Turshen
In case you’ve lived under a rock, the chocolate cake recipe from Small Victories is enough to purchase this cookbook alone. It’s so good that I plan to make one for my own birthday this year. More than the wonderful recipes and beautiful styling, I think this is one of the best cookbooks because of Julia’s philosophy. The title says it all: these recipes are meant to celebrate the simple victories of every day life and connection.
Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over by Alison Roman
Nothing Fancy is the newest addition to my collection and I love everything about it. The photos, the styling, the recipes… it’s truly one of the best cookbooks in my collection. I haven’t had a chance to make even half of the recipes, but current favorites are the overnight focaccia and slow-roasted oregano chicken with buttered tomatoes.
Have you tried any of these cookbooks? Or do you have one to add to the list? Leave a comment and let me know!
You might also enjoy:
8 Cookbooks I’m Loving Lately
As tired as I am of cooking every meal for the past 4 months, it’s also been incredibly gratifying to try new things, explore new ingredients and discover cookbooks to add to my library.
Cookbooks I’m Loving Lately
In case you’re also in a cooking rut, I wanted to share a few cookbook recommendations I’ve loving these days! I hope they help to inspire you to try something different.
