7 favorite cookbooks to give the foodie or food lover

Younger kids might cringe opening a book on Christmas morning, but foodies love cookbooks. These seven favorite cookbooks will have the food lovers cooking long after the holiday season.

Like a good fictional book, a cookbook can be like an old friend. Each recipe reveals a special memory, favorite food or sense of accomplishment. Going back to that splattered page time and again is part of becoming an established cook. Even as people go online for recipes, the classic cookbook will never go out of style. These five favorite cookbooks would make any foodie or food lover happy this holiday season.
7 favorite cookbooks to give the foodie or food lover , photo by Cristine Struble

The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

Have you ever wondered why your dinner never looks like that plate from the restaurant, television show or Instagram photo? It’s not an Instagram filter that makes the steak appear perfectly seared, it is science. The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science shows how science affects how we cook and can help us cook better.

With hundreds of pictures and easy to understand recipes, anyone, even the worst cook in your family, can be a good cook. By focusing on the how and why behind a recipe, the final result (aka food) tastes just like it is intended. From the newbie cook to the experienced cook, everyone can enjoy reading through this informative cookbook.

The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt is available on Amazon.

The Gourmet Cookbook by Ruth Reich

With over 1,000 recipes, this cookbook will take up a lot of space on a bookshelf. This cookbook covers all types of cuisines, cultures and foods. From old world style dishes to contemporary favorites, this cookbook is a wonderful reference guide. Also, the explanations about cooking techniques, cooking terminology and tips from the Gourmet test kitchen are extremely helpful. It is a great resource for any food lover.

The Gourmet Cookbook by Ruth Reich is available on Amazon.

Le Cruset cookbook

The iconic cookware is known by foodies and newbies. The original enameled cast iron cookware is often proudly displayed on the stove. In October 2017, Le Creuset published its first cookbook. Inspired by French cooking, the cookbook simplifies French cuisine.

Learning how to make a classic French dish is often a milestone for a new cook. The Le Creuset cookbook makes recipes easy for the novice and the experienced cook. From impressing a loved one to enhancing your culinary knowledge, this cookbook appeals to everyone. Plus, it gives you another reason to use your Le Creuset cookware.

The Le Creuset Cookbook retails for $34.99.

Cheers to the Publican, Repast and Present: Recipes and Ramblings from an American Beer Hall by Paul Kahan

The uber successful chef behind The Publican and One Off Hospitality Group shares insights on Midwestern cuisine in this very enjoyable cookbook. Eating at one of Chef’s Kahan’s restaurants is a memorable experience. With this cookbook, the home cook can explore the flavors from some of his memorable dishes. While the home cook may not make the picture perfect plated meal of an executive chef, this cookbook should foster a love of better cooking. From seasonal ingredients to pushing the boundaries, this cookbook is an engaging read.

Cheers to the Publican, Repast and Present: Recipes and Ramblings from an American Beer Hall by Paul Kahan is available on Amazon.

Cooking at Home With Bridget & Julia: The TV Hosts of America’s Test Kitchen Share Their Favorite Recipes for Feeding Family and Friends

America’s Test Kitchen has been a staple on public television. The company’s numerous brands have become a trusted source in the kitchen. This new cookbook focuses on the two hosts of the popular show. Fans of the show and the brand will want to get this cookbook.

The new cookbook focuses on the two hosts favorite and memorable dishes. The best part of this cookbook is how relatable the stories are. Food isn’t just the sustenance on the plate. Each recipe, dish and bite tells a story. From a family memory to a special occasion food brings everyone together.

Cooking at Home With Bridget & Julia: The TV Hosts of America’s Test Kitchen Share Their Favorite Recipes for Feeding Family and Friends by Bridget Lancaster,‎ Julia Collin Davison, and America’s Test Kitchen is available on Amazon.

My Perfect Pantry: 150 Easy Recipes from 50 Essential Ingredients by Geoffrey Zakarian

Have you ever stared at your pantry and can’t figure out a single thing to cook? With My Perfect Pantry: 150 Easy Recipes from 50 Essential Ingredients, Chef Zakarian explains how a well-stocked pantry can serve as cooking inspiration. Building on pantry staples, the home cook can add proteins and produce to create a delicious meal. This cookbook shows that pantry staples can be the star of a dish, not just another ingredient.

My Perfect Pantry: 150 Easy Recipes from 50 Essential Ingredients by Geoffrey Zakarian is available on Amazon.

Legends of Texas Barbecue Cookbook: Recipes and Recollections from the Pitmasters by Robb Walsh

Barbecue is legendary in Texas. Good barbecue is sometimes less about following a specific recipe and more about learned experience and feel. The book, >Legends of Texas Barbecue Cookbook: Recipes and Recollections from the Pitmasters, is part cookbook and part barbecue history lesson. The stories about the actual barbecue legends share insight on how and why those tasty came to be. Don’t expect this cookbook to be a simple how to, recipe guide. This cookbook sheds light on the craft that is delicious Texas barbecue.

Legends of Texas Barbecue Cookbook: Recipes and Recollections from the Pitmastersby Robb Walsh can be purchased on Amazon.

Do you have favorite cookbooks that you can’t live without or a favorite cookbook that you love to share with friends? Let us know what it is and maybe it will get added to our cookbook shelf.