Tootsie got me thinking about Cooks Illustrated. So I was wondering, what are your favorite cookbooks, and are there any particular winners in those cookbooks?
One selection from my library: The Moosewood Cookbook Cooks from Home
I love to make the Sweet Potato Salad (steamed, on greens - very original recipe) for get-togethers with my girlfriends. Of course, I make it with Annie's Naturals "Goddess Dressing!"
Replies
67
Beach Fanatic
I collect Junior League cookbooks from all over, and (well, it's called the Utility Club, but I think it's pretty close) this it the best one ever.
A bunch of my cookbooks were under a window that leaked wind driven rain during Katrina, and the Stuffed Griffin among others had some nasty looking mold. I was so upset. I went through them all and chose to salvage just three -- The Stuffed Griffin, The River Cafe (where Jamie Oliver worked and copied most of his recipes from...if you like the Naked Chef, order the gorgeous River Cafe books.... http://www.amazon.com/River-Cafe-Co...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208143986&sr=8-1)
and Talk About Good! it's basically the Cajun Bible. Given that I had to Clorox, wipe down with alcohol, leave in the sun, and iron these cookbooks, trust me when I say they are staples in a good kitchen.
My favorite cookbook right now is Susan Spicer's Crescent City Cooking http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-City...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208144222&sr=1-1 I can't even begin to tell you how good this book is. Susan Spicer's restaurant, Bayona, is one of my two favorites in New Orleans. Her food is rich without being heavy. It's just really fresh and flavorful. The crazy thing is, the cookbook shows that the food is pretty simple, too. It's just that she uses some great flavor combinations. She also is pretty frugal about ingredients, and tells you when olive oil will do over extra virgin olive oil, and recommends cheeses other than parmesan reggiano. It's a great cookbook. I could live off her Green Rice recipe.
I have never heard of green rice until now. I googled and found 3 different, yet similar recipes. I will try this soon....sounds yummy! We love mexican food!!!
Beach Fanatic
On Food and Cooking and The Food Lover's Companion are both excellent references, although I wouldn't call either of them a cookbook.
My two favorite cookbooks are Thomas Keller's Bouchon and Anthony Bourdain's The Les Halles Cookbook.
Of course, there's also the notebook Allifunn gave me in which I keep all my favorite tried-and-true recipes.
My two favorite cookbooks are Thomas Keller's Bouchon and Anthony Bourdain's The Les Halles Cookbook.
Of course, there's also the notebook Allifunn gave me in which I keep all my favorite tried-and-true recipes.
Beach Fanatic
I collect Junior League cookbooks from all over, and (well, it's called the Utility Club, but I think it's pretty close) this it the best one ever.
A bunch of my cookbooks were under a window that leaked wind driven rain during Katrina, and the Stuffed Griffin among others had some nasty looking mold. I was so upset. I went through them all and chose to salvage just three -- The Stuffed Griffin, The River Cafe (where Jamie Oliver worked and copied most of his recipes from...if you like the Naked Chef, order the gorgeous River Cafe books.... http://www.amazon.com/River-Cafe-Co...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208143986&sr=8-1)
and Talk About Good! it's basically the Cajun Bible. Given that I had to Clorox, wipe down with alcohol, leave in the sun, and iron these cookbooks, trust me when I say they are staples in a good kitchen.
My favorite cookbook right now is Susan Spicer's Crescent City Cooking http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-City...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208144222&sr=1-1 I can't even begin to tell you how good this book is. Susan Spicer's restaurant, Bayona, is one of my two favorites in New Orleans. Her food is rich without being heavy. It's just really fresh and flavorful. The crazy thing is, the cookbook shows that the food is pretty simple, too. It's just that she uses some great flavor combinations. She also is pretty frugal about ingredients, and tells you when olive oil will do over extra virgin olive oil, and recommends cheeses other than parmesan reggiano. It's a great cookbook. I could live off her Green Rice recipe.
I'll be down week after next. Punzy, I've a got a new Stuffed Griffin with your name on it. Thanks for the review.
SoWal Guide
Cook book??? I don't need no stinkin' cook book, :lie: J/K
I have several, but not any specific one. I love to go to the internet for recipes!
same here. the food channel is my fave. I've retrieved so many emeril recipes - and I never watch the show - but his recipes are often really helpful.
On Food and Cooking and The Food Lover's Companion are both excellent references, although I wouldn't call either of them a cookbook.
My two favorite cookbooks are Thomas Keller's Bouchon and Anthony Bourdain's The Les Halles Cookbook.
Of course, there's also the notebook Allifunn gave me in which I keep all my favorite tried-and-true recipes.
wait. I didn't get one of these. allifunn!!!!!!!!!!
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
My Aunt and Uncle both retired from Alabama Power Company. They have an organization called the Pioneers that most of the retirees are memebers of. They publish cookbooks with recipes from their members. They are called Calling All Cooks. These cookbooks are filled with great Southern Recipes. You can order them here. I have the 1982 edition, and I use it all the time. If you like good southern food you will love these cookbooks.
Beach Crab
Beach Fanatic
On Food and Cooking and The Food Lover's Companion are both excellent references, although I wouldn't call either of them a cookbook.
My two favorite cookbooks are Thomas Keller's Bouchon and Anthony Bourdain's The Les Halles Cookbook.
Of course, there's also the notebook Allifunn gave me in which I keep all my favorite tried-and-true recipes.
Combine the On Food and Cooking with something like
and you have all you could need. Quintessential cookbooks imo. They offer the what, when, where, and how of cooking. The "who" is in the other books-- compare Marcella Hazan's braised pork loin in milk from the book Tootsie mentioned with Bourdain's version in the Les Halles book. Two peoples' interpretations of the same techniques. Both of which are tasty btw.Edited
Beach Fanatic
I guess my all time favorite is the old Red & White checked Better Homes cookbook. Mine is so pitiful looking, but I go back to it time after time.
I use mine for breads, etc. I love it! I just adjust ingredients a little & it's grayt! It's totally falling apart.
I also use "Feeding the Whole Family," "1,000 Vegetarian Recipes," etc, but we mainly cook by whatever we feel like doing at that moment. In 7 years, I've only had 2 total flops, according to Mr. OM.
Skunky
Actually, Rapunz's 1957 Columbus (GA) Junior League cookbook survived. It is a true curiousity. Tonight for dinner we can start with a rolled bacon canape, move on to a hot chicken loaf with casserole of green peas finished with a 'girdle buster' pie!
SoWal Insider
wait. I didn't get one of these. allifunn!!!!!!!!!!maybe they will be in another book soon to be arriving...;-)
post more often!!!
Beach Fanatic
Actually, Rapunz's 1957 Columbus (GA) Junior League cookbook survived. It is a true curiousity. Tonight for dinner we can start with a rolled bacon canape, move on to a hot chicken loaf with casserole of green peas finished with a 'girdle buster' pie!
Hmmm. . .sounds yummy.
Now if only her "101 things to do with Hamburger Helper" cookbook had survived. I hear that one is a favorite! 
FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
It was an empty notebook, not one with my recipes....
Spud has her own great recipes, no doubt!
Spud has her own great recipes, no doubt!
Beach Fanatic
It was an empty notebook, not one with my recipes....
Spud has her own great recipes, no doubt!
It has "The Great Wave" on the cover, and that was my 'tar for a while. I
it. I need to get a couple of allifunn recipes for it, though. ^_^Beach Fanatic
I love all of the late Lee Bailey's cookbooks, but my favorite of them is "Country Weekends." It contains the best blackberry cobbler recipe I have ever found. And I love the baby lima beans cooked with pears in the oven.
For southern food, any of Craig Claiborne's cookbooks are wonderful. I also like Frank Stitt's new cookbook, with beautiful photographs.
"The Joy of Cooking" should be in every cook's kitchen.
And there is a cookbook entitled "Southwest Tastes" that contains so many superb recipes that I have lost count over the years. I think every single recipe in this book is a real winner. Nice photos, too.
Oh, and I love Jr. League cookbooks from all places. The best ones I have found are from the Leagues in St. Louis and Seattle.
For southern food, any of Craig Claiborne's cookbooks are wonderful. I also like Frank Stitt's new cookbook, with beautiful photographs.
"The Joy of Cooking" should be in every cook's kitchen.
And there is a cookbook entitled "Southwest Tastes" that contains so many superb recipes that I have lost count over the years. I think every single recipe in this book is a real winner. Nice photos, too.
Oh, and I love Jr. League cookbooks from all places. The best ones I have found are from the Leagues in St. Louis and Seattle.
beats on hood
I guess my all time favorite is the old Red & White checked Better Homes cookbook. Mine is so pitiful looking, but I go back to it time after time.I knew we were soul sisters! That was my first cookbook.
That's how I learned to cook.I also like:
Flavors of Tuscany by Nancy Harmon Jenkins
Savoring Italy by Michele Scicolone
Barefoot Contessa Family Style by Ina Garten
Southern Born and Bread by the LaGrange Junior League
Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen by Paul Prudhome
My daughter's and my unpublished collection of recipes that we really need to publish
Joy of Cooking for basics
"Good cooking, cook eating, good loving."
Edited
SoWal Expert
I knew we were soul sisters! That was my first cookbook.
I also like:
Flavors of Tuscany by Nancy Harmon Jenkins
Savoring Italy by Michele Scicolone
Barefoot Contessa Family Style by Ina Garten
Southern Born and Bread by the LaGrange Junior League
Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen by Paul Prudhome
My daughter's and my unpublished collection of recipes that we really need to publish
Joy of Cooking for basics
"Good cooking, cook eating, good loving."
I love Barefoot Contessa too. Don't have any of her books, but love her show.Beach Fanatic
Seagrovegirl, I think I have the same one - Bayou Cuisine! It belonged to my grandmother. Is that the one with the nostalgic/historical photos in it? I will check my cabinet!
Johnrudy, love the cover on that cookbook - I'll bet it has some good stuff in there!
That sounds like the same one. Pulled it out last night and made crayfish etoufee (crayfish in the cookbook). My book is falling apart...but I love it!
Beach Fanatic
I love cookbooks and have quite a collection. My wife's father was cajun and he left us quite a few as well. My favorite is "the Cotton Country collection", a Junior League of Monroe, La. cookbook. The recipes are almost entirely southern and wonderful. Great cookbook!
SoWal Guide
Combine the On Food and Cooking with something like
wow gordhead, you know your cooking doncha? I'll look at this book next time I'm spending the day at B&N. making a note now.
SoWal Guide
hey cranky - you like this one? my mom has it and I haven't looked through it yet...
Beach Fanatic
Now you've got me thinking about Telluride.
Beach Lover
I really like the Southern Living yearly cookbooks, Emeril's "every day is a party"-I think that's what it is called-I lost the cover-and the University of Memphis alumni cookbook has some very interesting ideas in it. Being a "former" restaurant manager, I have dozens of cookbooks & recipes I have compiled. There was a time when I would rather read a menu in a good retaurant insted of my cookbooks, 
but now I am getting that itch again to create.
By the way, I have used Emeril's chili recipe and added my own ingredients to it to make the best chili I have ever had. It has won 3 different chili cookoffs.
It is a tad bit on the hot side but nothing a cold PBR tallboy can't fix.
but now I am getting that itch again to create.By the way, I have used Emeril's chili recipe and added my own ingredients to it to make the best chili I have ever had. It has won 3 different chili cookoffs.
It is a tad bit on the hot side but nothing a cold PBR tallboy can't fix.
Beach Comber
I love the pictures! I've never tried the recipes....
"The New InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook
The New InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook by Martha Hopkins
Excerpt - on Page 152: " ... harissa-spiced tilapia cakes with cucumber salad for the cucumber salad: Juice of 1 orange Juice of 112 lemon 1 tablespoon orange blossom water, ... "
"The New InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook
The New InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook by Martha Hopkins
Excerpt - on Page 152: " ... harissa-spiced tilapia cakes with cucumber salad for the cucumber salad: Juice of 1 orange Juice of 112 lemon 1 tablespoon orange blossom water, ... "
Beach Fanatic
"The Joy of Cooking" should be in every cook's kitchen.
i agree - either the original version, or the very newest - the "updated" one from about 10 years ago was not a good idea. the author was persuaded to change the emphasis to california cuisine. the newest edition is back to the original cookbook. another good one is southern sideboards.
btw - just found the stuffed griffin at amazon for $5. can't wait to get it!
Beach Comber
Good Grits at Great Southern Cafe
Give my book a look, at the cafe or at Goodgrits.com, it usually comes upright but it was a long weekend.
Thanks
Jim
Give my book a look, at the cafe or at Goodgrits.com, it usually comes upright but it was a long weekend.
Thanks
Jim
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.