If you like to cook, you may already own a few cookbooks. But if you’re looking to start or expand your collection, where do you begin? Walk into any book store, and you’ll find hundreds of cookbooks to choose from. So how do you sift through them all to find the cookbooks that you really need? You should see these Cookbooks that Every Cook Should Own first.
Here are five great cookbooks that every cook should own:
The Joy of Cooking by Irma Rombauer:
This thick volume has been around for decades and it has become a must-have for any beginning cook. More than just a collection of recipes (although it contains thousands of them) this book goes into detail about almost every cooking procedure. It is the one book that you, without question, must have on your cookbook shelf.
Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child:
Many famous cooks, such as Martha Stewart, got their start by practicing the recipes in this classic book. While some of the procedures may seem a bit complicated, they can be mastered over time. Indisputably the most important book ever written on French cooking, this Julia Child classic is required reading for all serious chefs.
Entertaining by Martha Stewart:
This book gave Stewart her big break in the early 1980s (before becoming a celebrity she owned and operated her own catering business). At the time of its publication. “Entertaining” was considered over the top and expensive, but it was still a must-have. Filled with lavish photographs, menus, and recipes, it has set the gold standard for books on entertaining. Although Stewart has had personal troubles in recent years, her books are still important and are still highly recommended.
Betty Crocker’s Cookbook by Betty Crocker:
If French cuisine and high-end entertaining aren’t your things, then settle in with this homey, classic book. Betty Crocker taught our moms how to cook and the recipes contained in this book have been around for generations. Updated to accommodate today’s busy families, this book has changed with the times– but you can still find recipes for things as simple as scrambled eggs or macaroni and cheese.
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten:
I love Ina Garten’s cookbooks and this is the one that started at all. Based on recipes from her famous, now defunct, East Hampton specialty shop (also named the Barefoot Contessa), this book contains recipes for gourmet chicken salad, guacamole, and the most delicious sun-dried tomato dip you will ever eat. Gorgeous color photos and Ina’s unique, easy-going style make this book a winner. Well, For the gourmet chicken salads, you can pick one of the grills between Weber 310 or 315, since they both are best for gourmet cooking and BBQing.
Last Words
Depending on your needs, there are many other types of cookbooks that you may want to own. There are many cookbooks that address healthy eating, low fat, and vegetarian cooking. If you love Italian food, look for books by the wonderful Italian cook, Marcella Hazan.
Aaron Franklin is a BBQ master, check out his work if you’re looking for some great smoking cookbooks, or have a peek at this web-site for more info. If you’re serious about cooking then it is important that you, over time, try to build a great cookbook collection full of classics and modern-day gems.
