I am obsessed with cookbooks. There is nothing better than buying a new cookbook, taking it home and going through it page by page. At last count, I had 145 which may or not be alot for someone to own, and who doesn’t actually cook all that much. I just like to hold them, what can I say. My favorites are the ones who have beautiful pictures for each recipe, although I have all kinds. Here are some of my favorites – new and old:
EVERYDAY FOOD – GREAT FOOD FAST (From the Kitchens of Martha Stewart Living)
This is a beautifully illustrated book with 250 recipes, each one paired with a photo of the finished product. The book is divided into Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter recipes and also a special section for Basics. With the prep times clearly stated for each recipe, even I (Ms. Amateur, slightly useless cook) could make something brillaint with this cookbook. Its one of my absolute favs.
Italian Comfort Food: Intensive Eating from Fresco by Scotto Restaurant
I discovered this cookbook after seeing the Scotto family on the Today show during a cooking segment. I adore that this book is filled with these great old family photos of this large Italian family, and that the book is dedicated to their grandchildren. They even make a point of thanking their staff by name. Love that. The recipes are amazing – if you love Italian food, you will love this book. Our favorites include Spaghetti Pie, Meatball Lasagna and Penne from Heaven. Some recipes may be a little more complicated than others, but they are all doable and all delish.
I subscribe to Real Simple magazine and was very excited when I found out that they had a cookbook coming out back in 2006. The cookbook follows the beautiful layouts of its magazine pages, with simple yet perfect photos for each recipe. The book has 75+ recipes and is divided into one-pot meals, no-shop meals, 30 minute meals, no-cook meals, freezer meals, shortcut meals and reliable sides. I particularly like that they have fresh takes on some common meals, but not too crazy so as to scare away a non-foodie. The shortcut meals are kindof hilarious and include french fry pie (oh yeah!) and ham-and-cheese waffle sandwiches.
Everyday Pasta – Giada De Laurentiis
This is one of four Giada De Laurentiis’ cookbooks that originated from her cooking show on the Food Network. When I was pregnant, I could have watched her show, Everyday Italian, for hours. I love all four of her cookbooks, but since this one focuses on pasta (my bestest friend), I thought I would include this particular one in my list. Again, beautiful illustrations make this cookbook great to look at as well. Besides pasta, it outlines recipes for appetizers, salads and dressings. My husband loves to cook from these books, and I love to eat whatever he dares make. Seriously, who doesn’t love a yummy casserole – there are many of those to choose from in this book.
This is one of my newest cookbooks and it was the cover that sold me. Don’t we all have a special place in our hearts for a good cupcake? I love this book. It is beautiful to look at, and is similar in format to the Cookie book she released last year (which I also have and love). It has over 175 recipes and ideas for the most amazing cupcakes. Divided into Swirled and Sprinkled, Dipped and Glazed, Simple and Sweet, Filled and Layered, Piped and Topped, Birthdays, Holidays, and Celebrations, this book has something for everyone. My favs include the Tiramisu cupcake, Streusel Cupcakes and Mint Filled Brownie Cupcakes. I’ll be honest, I get as much enjoyment looking at this cookbook as I do using it.
Ready, Steady, Spaghetti – cooking for kids and with kids - Lucy Broadhurst
The least I could do as full-time mommy is include a cookbook for kids, because that’s just the kind of mom I am. This cookbook is by an Australian food stylist and it shows. The photos are fun and colourful. The book is divided into the following sections: little food, dinner time, eat your greens, sticky puddings, biscuits cakes and fetes, and let’s party. The recipes range from some common mom staples like blueberry pancakes, smoothies and pizza to some more original fare like chicken noodle omelette, pork pumpkin and cashew stir-fry.
HERE IT IS – MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!
It has been great fun discovering Twitter and entering your giveaways, so I thought I would offer my own. I have a brand new copy of Martha Stewart’s CUPCAKES to offer to one winner, who resides in either Canada or the U.S. This is not a sponsored giveaway – I picked up this book just today, so that I could gift it to one of you. One winner will be chosen randomnly, from the comments.
TO ENTER:
Please feel free to check out my blog and then come back to this post. You can get up to four possible entries – one separate comment for each:
1) Leave a comment on this post and tell me what your favorite cookbook is and why.
2) Follow me on Twitter (@BOREDmommy) or let me know if you already do.
2)Tweet the following about the giveaway: Enter to win Martha Stewart’s Cupcake Cookbook @BOREDmommy http://bit.ly/16hmRI Please RT!!!!
3) Subscribe to my feed (or let me know if you already do) and I will love you forever.
THIS CONTEST ENDS FRIDAY, JULY 3rd at 9:00 p.m. EST !!
Thanks in advance to everyone for entering !!
{ 85 comments… read them below or add one }
My fav cookbook by so far, it the giant Taste of Home, cookbook my sister gave me. It has lots of friendly easy apps, meals, desserts and drinks for any cooking skill level. I do love the Real Simple mag and did not realize they had a cookbook. I will have to check out Chapters tomorrow to see if I can pick it up, Thanks, great review, love the kids spaghetti might have to pick that one up as well…
I already follow you, what did you win at the twitter party last night, will I see you there tonight? :0
Just RT about you blog post and the giveaway!
OK, never did that before was an RSS feed virgin, now I am all set up with a google reader, great blog!
I don’t have a favorite cookbook, I love them all. Of course looking at the ones that you were showing above I now have the urge to run to the bookstore and buy more. What a great contest!
Oh, and I follow you on twitter too!
FUN! Yay for your giveaway! I love the look of the ready, set, spaghetti cookbook for kids – think I might even pick that up!
But mmm, those cupcakes do look sooo good!
Of course I already follow you on Twitter…
I’m pretty sure I subscribe to you!
I have to say, I keep going back to my old reliable ‘Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book’. My mom gave it to me when I first moved out 14 years ago and it’s still my favorite.
I like the good ole Betty Crocker cookbook!
Nice first giveaway! Perhaps not a fav, but definetly a stand out cook book in my mind is “First Meals” cookbook, geared towards baby/toddler food. That’s because I didn’t cook much before I had kids. Now I cook all the time, with the help of various cookbooks. But it started with that book because it was my desire to feed my baby healthy and nutritious food that insipired me to cook for my family.
I follow you on Twitter! (@OrbitMom)
My favorite cookbook is fix it an forget it crockpot super fast an easy. I already follow you on twitter an I retweeted
I also tweeted about your giveaway
I subscribed to your feed, thanks!
I don’t have a favorite cook book per say but I have my recipe binder that I love! I filled a binder with plastic sleeves and all the recipes I get from magazines or friends I put in there. It’s awesome!
I follow you on twitter and I love your tweets! : )
@elainea
I tweeted too but I can’t figure out a way to get back to the link! I’m tired…
I tweeted it this morning for you. @scunning
Since it is summer my fav cookbooks of the season are Cottage Life’s Summer Weekend Cookbook and More Summer Weekend Cookbook. But any cookbook from the domestic goddess Martha is a fav too!
I already follow u on Twitter & luv u’r tweets!!!!
I had trouble subscribing 2 ur feed – I think it is a firefox / google prob will try from different way.
Great blog – food is a great passion in our household & cupcakes are always my go to for snacks for kids to take school, activities, etc.
Can relate to “keeping sanity” LOL!!!!
I’m not a huge cookbook fan, to be honest. I prefer getting recipes online where I can just print the page for the one I want. But, I have one of Ina Garten’s cookbooks and I love it. I can’t remember which one it is, but I love looking at the pictures and I feel more sophisticated just owning it.
I love cupcakes!
I already follow you on Twitter too.
Okay, I’m following you on Twitter (both my contest acct, Mom_04, and “real” account (jlfmama), I subscribed to your feed, and I re-tweeted the giveaway. Whew!
My favorite cookbook is Weight Watchers’ Take Out Tonight, which has lots of “take out” favorites – like Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Italian – altered to be more healthy. Take a look!
Jen
I am liking deliciously deceptive…I truly cant taste the veges!
zealandsmom follows you on twitter
tweeted:)
I subscribe….and have been honestly looking 4 a cupcake book!!
i am totally in love with “Chocolate and the Art of Low Fat Desserts.” Why? Because it’s lowfat and gourmet goodness.
fentonslee at gmail.
My fav cookbook is actually the one with all of my Mom-mom’s recipes in it. My mom sat down with her 17 years ago and she wrote them out, when she got tired, my mom took over for her. They printed out copies for the entire family.
You have been tweeted.
You have been followed.
You have been subsribed.
ps
Thank you!
I have been following you on twitter for awhile, and I subscribed to your blog a couple of weeks ago.
I have been a long time subscriber of Martha’s Everyday Food and I love it. It is chalk full of seasonal recipes.
My favorite cookbook is the Vegetarian Times Cookbook because it has a large number of recipes with innovative ways to prepare vegetables which is essential when you don’t eat meat.
I follow you on twitter.
My favorite cookbook is probably my Southern Living cookbooks. So nice to have all the recipes in one place.
My favorite cookbook is Familiar Favorites by The Ladies Guild of St Stanislaus Church Omaha NE. It isn’t dated but I believe it was published in 1971. After deciding to try to eliminate the additives and chemical preservatives in prepackaged foods from our meals, I turned back to the simple, economical recipes that my mother used. It has wonderful entree, casserole, and dessert recipes.
I did RT your contest note too.
Ready, Steady, Spaghetti sounds great! My kids love pasta and I do too cause it’s easy but I need to find some new, fun ways to make it!
Great giveaway!
I subscribed by reader!
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/MommyKennedy/statuses/2382311364
I follow you on Twitter now!
I really enjoy Sandra Lee’s cookbooks and I like The Dinner Doctor by Anne Byrn. I never have time to cook.
I also follow you on twitter (sara3isenough)
I love any “baking” cook book, because frankly, I don’t cook. But… I love to bake! I have the Cake Mix Bible and my son and I have made a lot of fun things from it.
I tweeted it!
@bitofmomsense
My favorite cookbook is one that my son’s class made for an auction. He was in a special needs classroom at the time and all of the recipes are good for kids with special dietary needs. Plus it was put together with love:)
I also follow you and tweeted about the giveaway!
Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200: 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories by Lisa Lillien
Great meals for 200 calories – they are all innovative and taste great!
I also follow u on TWITTER! And i RT’d!
Thanks!
jen
The best cookbook I own is an Amish one from Arthur, Illinois. The women of the local church put together receipes for the book. They are simply and VERY good.
Oh gosh, my favorite cookbook? I have shelves full…but I usually reach for my Paula Deen cookbooks first.
Following you
@give_me_a_latte
Hey – I love reading your blog & I just added it to my reader.
Right after filling this out I’ll be retweeting it. It is such a cool contest
My favorite cook book (call me boring) is my Weight Watcher’s “SLOW GOOD” book. I have made many of their simple, healthy recipes and had rave reviews from friends and family. MSG me if you want a killer recipe for Pulled Pork.. it is DROOL worthy!
I also follow you on Twitter
bee good & thanks for this cool contest.
My favorite cookbook is the Purity Cookbook. It’s my go-to book. Has all the basics in it. I too have a HUGE collection of cookbooks though.
I’m already a twitter follower!
And I already subscribe to your feed.
Ok, I follow your blog now, I follow you on Twitter now (I’m @ricola260), I tweeted about you and my favorite cookbook is Food You Crave by Ellie Krieger. Love love love the recipes in that book!!! I love knowing that the food will be great but that it’s better for me
Thanks for this giveaway — I have been eye-ing this cookbook for a while now — love baking cupcakes (my blog is http://cupcakeswithnic.blogspot.com).
I have to say my favorite cookbook is a collection my mother had gotten from shopping at the A&P. Local grocery store in NY. Not even sure if they are still in business. They were The Encyclopedia of Cookery. I picked up a second set of 20 books from the goodwill store, but I am still missing one or two volumes.
If I don’t use these cookbooks, my favorite is James Beard Vol 1 & 2.
All of these cookbooks use lard and real butter. I hope the cupcake cookbook use butter too.
i need the cupcake cookbook! my son was just given the OK to eat eggs (had been allergic til now) so I’m excited we can now make and EAT baked goods together! and Martha’s would be the perfect cookbook to experiment with!
thanks for the chance!
karry
Should check out the Soprano’s Cookbook. Mangia Bene!
What a great list of cookbooks! I have to get my hands on Real Simple, Meals Made Easy. In the magazine their recipes are fabulous!
My favorite is I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence… it is SO GOOD, you must read this.
http://www.amazon.com/Like-You-Hospitality-Under-Influence/dp/0446578843
I now follow you on Twitter (EmilyHorne)
http://twitter.com/EmilyHorne/statuses/2413992387
Tweet Tweet
I am a vegetarian so my fave cookbooks are anythng by Moosewood!
My favorite cookbook is Notably Nashville, one of the Nashville Junior League cookbooks. It has the BEST carrot cake recipe in it!
I am following you on Twitter. @StephJenkins
I tweeted the giveaway!
I subscribed to your feed! Just found your site via MMW. Can’t wait to read more!
My favorite cookbook is the first one I ever bought for myself – The Big Book of Casseroles by Maryana Vollstedt. I have about 70 cookbooks and it’s the only one that I use over and over and over again.
I already follow you @JennSicu
And I just Tweeted for ya too. http://twitter.com/JennSicu/status/2423668458
My fav cookbook is Hello, Cupcake! by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson. I just really love making cupcakes. Which is why it would be awesome to have this cupcake cookbook also!
Also, I’m following you now and I tweeted the giveaway. @robotsushi
<3
My favorite cookbook is the good old Betty Crocker.
It has stood the test of time
I like my Better Crocker “Pink” Cookbook- I turn to it time and time again!
Thanks for the chance to win!
My favorite cookbook is Taste of Home because it has so many recipes.
I follow you on Twitter. (agafford)
I tweeted at http://twitter.com/agafford/status/2429069942.
I subscribe to your feed.
Amazing giveaway!! Very exciting, can’t wait to see how it goes. I just read about this Cupcake cookbook in the paper the other day. Looks amazing- especially since this is my very favorite thing to do- bake cupcakes!
Keep up the good work
I enjoy cooking, but really complex recipes intimidate me, so I like Rachel Ray’s cookbooks and some made locally.
I already follow you on twitter! @AmyElk
Tweeted!
fantastic cook books
I love Michael Smith’s “Chef At Home” cookbook. easy recipes, but delicious.
I tweeted this and follow you on Twitter!
My fav would be Everyday Pasta. Pasta is something I adore and can never get bored with. I can eat it day after day after day after day!
My favorite cookbook is one I’ve had for many years…It’s called Best Loved Chocolate Recipes. I just LOVE looking through it because it’s full of yummy pictures!
ljatwood at gmail dot com
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