Kindles and Cookbooks

Wondering what the heck a party
cheese ball is? Look at 3 o'clock. 

Whenever I visit home, I always flip through my mom's 1974 edition of Betty Crocker's Cookbook that she received as a wedding shower gift from my Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Ken more than 35 years ago. I love looking at the retro recipes (fondue, party cheese balls) and always get a kick out of the book's overt references to keeping your man happy through food ("Nothing will warm your husband's heart quite like fresh baked muffins.") While Betty Crocker has evolved since 1974 (she has an iPhone app now, after all), it remains an absolute classic.

I will always own and acquire books, especially cookbooks. There are certain things that should never be viewed on a device. While I love the convenience of my kindle, you need to see the pictures in a cookbook, feel the pages, dog ear menu ideas and most definitely spill on it. This experience just can't be replaced.

Over the years, these are the books that I come back to time and again for inspiration, ideas or a quick gut check on cooking temperatures and techniques. These books have made it through multiple moves, kitchens and cities. It never feels like home until they are unpacked in the kitchen.

The Good Housekeeping Step-by-Step Cookbook: My sister Kim got this book for me when I started cooking in my early 20's. There isn't a season that goes by that I don't reference this book in some way. From tarts to roasts to soups to cakes, this book is a great primer and foundation on how to cook pretty much everything. I will own this book forever.
Favorite Recipe: Sugar cookies  -- a fail proof recipe for a holiday favorite

Barefoot Contessa: I like Ina Garten. I like that all of her recipes typically call for several sticks of butter and some sort of alcohol. I will forever be indebted to her for teaching me how to roast the perfect chicken. Not only are her books absolutely stunning, every recipe is delicious.
Favorite Recipe: Macaroni and cheese -- the mix of gruyere and cheddar makes this the ultimate comfort food. Ina recommends adding truffle butter or lobster for a luxurious way to "turn up the volume."

A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes: I originally bought this book for a friend as a birthday present. Once I started flipping through the recipes, I knew immediately that I'd need to get another copy and keep one for myself. Written by David Tanis of Chez Panisse, the recipes are deceptively simple.The book is organized into six thoughtfully crafted menus for every season of the year, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and small, flavorful details.
Favorite Recipe: Ricotta with honey - savory and sweet  and the perfect way to end a meal.

Put this dish in the oven at the start of an NFL Sunday,
and it will be ready for the Sunday night game. 

The Balthazar Cookbook: Written by the chefs de cuisine of the classic NYC bistro, the Balthazar Cookbook is one of the authorities on classic french cooking. It offers gorgeous pictures and (relatively) easy recipes of the restaurant's best-selling plats du jour.
Favorite Recipe: Braised short ribs - I opt to substitute beef stock for veal stock and let it braise in goodness for as long as I can stand it.

What cookbooks and recipes do you come back to time and again? Do you use your kindle or e-reader for new cookbooks? Leave a comment or send me an email, and I'll use your responses in a follow up post.