If you read my intro to the blog, you know that I looooove to read cookbooks and get inspired by all the talented bakers, chefs and cooks out there. I’m a pretty visual person so love to look at Pinterest and magazines as well! In my coffee table, you will find various books that either myself or a family member has picked out, magazines or my iPad because nothing is better than snuggling on the couch on a Sunday morning with a piping hot coffee planning what I am going to make in the next week. As I started really getting into this blog, I couldn’t forget about all of the recipes that were shared with me over the years from my Mother, the kid’s day-home Mom (she seriously was their second mom and I couldn’t do it without her, perhaps I need to do a post about how it takes a village to raise the children!) and other special people in my life.
One of my favourite things to do is visit our public library to pick out cookbooks that I normally wouldn’t pick out or ones that look visually appealing. My kids have recently picked out an ice cream book for me to look at…challenge accepted! I have never made ice cream before, but there is always a first for everything.
Here are a few of the recipe books on my bookshelf that I love:
- Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets To Get Your Kids Eating Good Food: Jessica Seinfeld – Still to this day, I puree or use the processor to finely chop tons of vegetables to sneak into our meals. Whether it’s sweet potato, zucchini or cauliflower the kids sometimes don’t even know they are eating it! This book was so helpful when the kiddo’s were toddlers and it provides some great ideas to incorporate more healthy foods into their diet. I have just recently handed this book down to a friend who is expecting and hope she get’s good use out of it!
- Fraiche Food, Full Hearts: A Collection of Recipes for Everyday and Casual Celebrations – Alright folks, I am guilty of being influenced by an influencer! I started following Jillian Harris and Tori Wesszer a few years ago and they are so delightful. I feel like it’s because they are real and share so much love with the world so you could imagine how excited I was when I heard they were coming out with a cookbook! If you haven’t followed them yet, you definitely should…so many ideas and inspirations! The photography in this cookbook is absolutely gorgeous and this really resonated with me. Although I am not vegan or vegetarian (this book is plant based), there are some pretty amazing recipes in this one. Check it out next time you are in the bookstore!
- Life’s on Fire: Cooking for the Rushed by Sandi Richard – Seriously, if you have a busy family like I do (with small kids) then you should definitely check out this book. It is colour coded for the time frames you have available, so if you have 30 minutes, then pick recipes from the red or yellow category! So creative! Also, I think this author had me hooked when she said, ‘Your kitchen is not a restaurant!’ You speak my language Sandi! The kids love the Tangy Meatball recipe!
- Earls: The Cookbook – Eat a Little. Eat a Lot by Jim Sutherland – I remember spending a weekend in Banff, Alberta and had a couple hours to myself and of course, I found the nearest bookstore. Although I don’t go to Earl’s often for dinner (what’s dinner at a restaurant really like anyways??!), I remember LOVING their Hunan Kung Pao dish and was shocked to see the recipe right before my eyes! SOLD! Also, I do love their house salad and the recipe for their dressing was in there as well. So delicious!
Alright, this is it for now! I will be sure to continue any other awesome cookbooks that cross my path! Happy reading!
