Cookbook Club? Cooking and Booking? Cookbook and cocktails?
Trying to get creative over here as it’s my first post of 2020 and I can’t let you down with some lame title…but I got nothing. So, you get a lame title: Cookbook Round Up.
Lame or not though, I am pretty excited for this post. I know many people share book roundups or are part of a book club or get together with friends to exchange books and well, you see. I’m not that cool. I always tried to be though. I would buy all these books that I had big plans of reading but then they would just collect dust on my shelf and eventually get coffee or something spilled on them before I ever got around to reading them. So I guess I’ll never be cool enough to talk “book” with people unless that is…it’s “cookbooks”.
I LOVE LOVE reading cookbooks. Maybe because to me, it’s the adult, food version of a picture book or maybe because after every page I turn to a new recipe and just want to jump in the kitchen and start cooking up something delicious. Cookbooks are my jam.
I read through every single page, bookmark my favorites, sometimes get a little wild and take notes if there’s good tips in there before I put it up on my shelf. Not the shelf with the books that have dust and coffee spills on them, these books have red sauce, olive oil, flour and batter on them because these are my kind of books. The ones I lay on the counter while I attempt to make something that looks half as good as what is on the page and then ask Steve to come in and be my taste tester to see if we keep the bookmark on the page or remove it and make frozen pizza for dinner instead.
These books get wear and tear and give me inspiration in the kitchen. Sharing my current favorites below.
The Southern Living Party Cookbook
The ultimate guide to party hosting. Highly recommend for any hostess with the mostess. This cookbook has tips and tricks, plus full menu/party guides for every type of get together.
Martha Stewart’s Newlywed Kitchen
Whether you’re an at home chef or a kitchen newbie, this book is a must. It has everything you need to learn from how to perfectly sear your steak, what kitchen gadgets to use and how to properly plan your menu for dinner parties.
Cooking that Counts
This is a great cookbook whether you’re looking to drop a few pounds, get back on track with healthy eating or just learn portion control. Also great for weeknight meals and meal prepping.
Martina’s Kitchen Mix
Another favorite hostess cookbook. Filled with delicious dishes that give you that warm and cozy feeling. A good variety of flavors and involvement levels as some dishes are a little more involved but worth it! Plus, Martina includes a fun party playlist and menus.
Creative Cookie Decorating
If you need a fun girls night in activity or want to master your decorating skills then this is the cookbook for you. So many great tutorials with step by step photos and some great go-to cookie and buttercream recipes!
And if your food isn’t going to look as good as the pictures, at least your kitchen can. Loved whipping up some dishes in the beautiful new kitchen at Wicker Park Inn. This local Chicago spot is perfect for a stay-cation, out of town visitors and even private parties. With a huge kitchen in the center of the space, large communal table and fully equipped kitchen it’s the perfect spot to host your next dinner party!
