I’ve been moving books around, packing some of them for future reference (older kids, more space, more bookcases…), and in some cases grouping them. I had thought we had cookbooks all in one place, but they were spread around a bit. Sadly, there is no place for them in the kitchen proper, but for now they are stacked on the counter.
Not that there are so terribly many.
This inspired an audience participation post. What cookbook(s) do you particularly like? Do you even look at any cookbooks much? I would probably benefit from looking more, but the intertubes are so rich in specific, easily searched information, I tend to forget about it.
Beyond cookbooks, how about cooking books? By that I mean something like the textbook I have been eyeing, used by Culinary Institute of America. It’s on my Christmas list for this year, along with certain other kitchen and clothing items.
Honestly, the one I reach for most often is the Betty Crocker cookbook that I got from my Nana – I believe it’s a 1960 version (though the updated 10th is just as good). 🙂 I have The Joy of Cooking and often find it useful, though not as much as I’d honestly thought I would. But they’re the two I consider “staples.” I lust after the ring-bound Better Homes and Gardens plaid one, though.
Beyond that – despite 3 shelves of the things – most of the time I just wing it. Or I use a recipe out of Gourmet magazine or off FoodNetwork as a starting point. Though I love (for fancy play-time in the kitchen) my Barefoot Countessa cookbook. 🙂
On the other hand, I’m a bit of a cookbook-a-holic…and now that I know there’s a text from the CIA, I’m going to have to add it to my drool pile as well.
The one go-to for me is The Joy of Cooking – it’s good for basic stuff, like how to roast a chicken or how to make stock. I somehow have three copies of it. If you want one of them, let me know and I’ll send it to you once it’s unpacked.
I LOVE Fix it and Forget It. It’s a cookbook of crockpot recipes and I am a big fan of throwing stuff in the crock, and leaving it for the day. Other than that, I am more of a make my own recipe up” kind of gal.
1. I’d recommend Julia Child’s cookbook for comprehensiveness and as a classic since you’re thinking of the CIA book. But, even better would be the DVDs of the first French Chefs. She cooks like you post about your cooking; doing it well so that it tastes good, but definitely not fussy.
2. My personal favorite, because I’ve had success with some of the recipes and because it’s actually a good read, is Peg Bracken’s I Hate to Cook Book. I haven’t seen it in a while as a new copy, but you may be able to find it used.