Books on the Nightstand discussion

Hello everyone!

In just a few short months I will be off to begin my journey in the real of higher education! I am now ready to put my historical fiction titles aside for a bit to start learning to cook!

I both love and completely trust the podcast and all of my fellow group members to recommend grey books, so I was hoping some of you might have a few beginner cookbook suggestions!

I am looking for something basic with some comfort food recipes but also maybe another book that focuses on more health-oriented recipes as well. Just to provide some sort of reference as to my culinary skill, my scrambled eggs tend to be repulsive. I'm so ready to learn to cook though as it is absolutely a vital skill!


(Baking cookbooks are also welcome suggestions!)

Thank you everyone!

For baking, I would suggest Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar (even if you're not vegan--this book is amazing and will teach you a bit about the science behind baking). Also Kiss My Bundt--delicious cakes and so fun!

A couple recommendations:
How to Cook Without a Book: Recipes and Techniques Every Cook Should Know by Heart by Pam Anderson -- it does have recipes, but really goes over formulas and techniques.

150 Things to Make with Roast Chicken: And 50 Ways to Roast it : best roast chicken technique EVER.

Well Fed: Paleo Recipes for People Who Love to Eat by Melissa Joulwan: even though you may not be paleo, this book talks explains the "weekly cook-up" and the recipes are simple and good.

Quick Fix Meals: 200 Simple, Delicious Recipes to Make Mealtime Easy by Robin Miller - talks about meal planning. Often has a big recipes and then 3 additional recipes for the leftovers. I used this one a lot --- I bought a couple of her other ones but gave them away.

My favorite cookbooks are the America's Test Kitchen series.
The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbookand The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook are two of the best.

They have one that's Baking as well.

JoLene wrote: "A couple recommendations:
How to Cook Without a Book: Recipes and Techniques Every Cook Should Know by Heart by Pam Anderson -- it does have recipes, but really goes ..."

I just wanted to "second" this suggestion.

I have the book, and it really does address the fundamentals in ways that are easily applied and executed for everyday cooking. The kind of cooking most of us need to do.

Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything books go through the preparation process step by step and are great for the beginner. In addition to the same-named first book in the series, there are volumes on healthy cooking, vegetarian and vegan dishes, Thanksgiving, and other more specialized topics. For day-to-day basic recipes, I stick by the old reliable Good Housekeeping Cook Book.

I would recommend In the Green Kitchen: Techniques to Learn by Heart
It covers an array of techniques and foods, and helps build confidence in the kitchen. The recipes are delicious, nutritious and varied enough to keep your attention.

I would also choose either How To Cook Everything, How To Cook Everything Vegetarian, The Joy of Cooking, or your family's similar go-to big cookbook because it's nice to have a reference tome where you know you'll find what you're looking for.

Thank you all so much! I'm off to the local book store in a few days! These all look like excellent choices!

Thank you all so much! I'm off to the local book store in a few days! These all look like excellent choices!

Great topic!!!! Thank you for this - even though I've been out of academics forever, this is still great!

In general, I'd recommend skimming through, look for pictures and diagrams - these tend to be very helpful when you are just starting out!

Also if you're not on Pinterest it is amazing for recipes. Not trying to dissuade you from cookbooks but so many great bloggers are out there trying out recipes and posting about them.

I'd like to interject that America's Test Kitchen as well as its sister Cook's Country often have videos online that can be very instructional.

My "bible" had been The Joy of Cooking. It's been around almost as long as my mother. It has undergone several adaptions to remain current.