Top 5-Cookbooks

Caroline

Behold. I have compiled a list of my top 5 cookbooks for you. These are the ones I reach for most often and love recommending and gifting.

I love cookbooks. I read them like I used to read Nicholas Sparks in high school. Getting a new one is very exciting to me, and I love reading through it. If it also has pretty pictures, I’m smitten.

I know you can get almost any recipe online now, but this just adds to the reasons that I’m an old soul. I love buying cookbooks much more than recipes online. There’s something about holding the book in your hand. It’s Hemingway-esque.

• 100 Days of Real Food Fast and Fabulous by Lisa Leake

If you’re someone who would like to eat healthier, better food, this book is a great place to start. Her family committed to cutting out processed food for 100 days to see how it affected them.

Favorite recipes from this book:
*Hash brown casserole-Say goodbye other recipes of this that call for can of creamed soups (your insides will thank you)and make this.
*Weeknight kale and mushroom pasta-Kale yeah. It’s delicious and easy.

• The Dude Diet Dinnertime by Serena Wolf

Don’t be deceived by the title. It’s not filled with recipes to help you look manly. Unless you’re into that, then you do you, baby. Her tagline is “Clean(ish) recipes for Weeknight Dinners and Fancypants Dinners”.

While I love her main dish recipes in the book, my favorite chapter is the one devoted to side dishes.

Favorite recipes from this book:
*Boss Brussels Sprout Salad- The Bruce Springsteen of Brussels sprouts. It’s everything you’d want in a Brussels sprout salad even if you didn’t know you wanted one.
*Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Creamy-Spicy Sauce-This takes those orange spuds to the next level.

• Lexi’s Clean Kitchen by Alexis Davidson

I never wanted to be one of those people that says, “I don’t eat gluten.” However, I am now one of those people that says, “I don’t eat gluten.” Never say never. About a year and a half ago, I stopped eating it for health reasons, and I really didn’t know where to begin. I found her website and book, and it has been so helpful. I want to be her best friend.

Favorite recipes from this book:
*Orange Chocolate Chunk Scones-I love any baked good, and the chocolate and orange are a perfect marriage.
*Buttery Drop Biscuits-Even my gluten-loving, Bojangles enthusiast mother claimed she liked these.
*Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts-Apparently, I love sprouts .

• The Skinnytaste Cookbook by Gina Homolka.

I have loved and followed her for a long time. She has several cookbooks, but this one is my favorite. This is also a great book to buy if you’re trying to slowly start learning how to eat better.

Favorite recipes from this book:
*Too-Good -to-Be-True Baked Potato Soup-This recipe has a small amount of potato paired with everyone’s favorite cruciferous vegetable-cauliflower.
*Kiss my (Shrimp and) Grits-It looks like an impressive meal without much effort.

• The Pioneer Woman Cooks A Year of Holidays by Ree Drummond

All of the other books I have mentioned would fall into a “healthier” category. I don’t think this one could do that. However, I couldn’t leave out my favorite cattle-ranching redhead. Yes, she calls for blocks of Velveeta in some of her recipes, but I’m still a devoted fan.

I have all of her books, but this one wins. I love the idea of recipes centered around holidays throughout the year.

Favorite recipes from this book:
*Watermelon Pico De Gallo-Nothing screams summer like this.
*Broccoli-Wild Rice Casserole-It’s everything you’d want in a Thanksgiving side dish.
*My Favorite Pasta Salad-It’s pretty, it’s summery, it’s perfect.

I hope I’ve given you some good ideas if you were wanting to add to your cookbook collection.