When I first started cooking, I didn’t know where to start. How do you go from preparing the same 5 recipes on rotation to preparing more gourmet meals at home?
I remember feeling the desire to make better meals at home but getting overwhelmed by all steps of the process. The grocery stores – where do I find that one random ingredient that I never have heard of? The recipe instructions – what does the author mean when they say “bring to a simmer”? How do I properly cut these ingredients without cutting my finger? Why does my recipe not taste familiar? All of these questions ran through my brain when I first started to cook. I imagine if you’re reading this, that you might be feeling the same. Maybe you want to prepare better meals but are stuck as a beginner, do not have enough time in the day or trying to navigate feeling overwhelmed. What is it for you?
Throughout my home cook journey, I’ve used a handful of cookbooks. These are my top cookbook recommendations that will transform you from a beginner to intermediate home cook. What I love about all of these cookbooks is that they have information on the hows and whys of cooking. They teach you why salt is important and how it enhances flavor. Believe me, you’ll think differently about the ingredients and techniques that you use in your kitchen. You’re going to be cooking with confidence in no time.
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The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001-2023
Why You Should Buy:
- Best Value
- An Array of Easy Recipes and Kitchen Tool Recommendations
- Has a little bit of everything - you may never need to buy another cookbook again
- The most used cookbook in my kitchen
When I used to work at Williams Sonoma Inc, I used my 40% off corporate discount often at the Union Square location in San Francisco. One day I was in the store chatting it up with a sales associate and he recommended the America’s Test Kitchen cookbook. The Holidays of 2016, I asked for this cookbook and was given it by my parents.
This cookbook is an essential. With over 800 pages, you’ll learn everything from how to properly bake a potato to how to sear a pork chop. If a college cooking 101 class was packed into one cookbook, it would be this one. America’s Test Kitchen prides themselves in being a leader in the kitchen space. They test their recipes over 50 times and make subtle tweaks to make sure any home chef can properly execute the recipe. This cookbook has taught me so many great food tips & tricks in the kitchen.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
Why You Should Buy:
- Modern Approach to Cooking
- Elevates classic recipes like Chicken Pot Pie and Bolognese
- Half educational, half recipes with a section for cooking notes
I was socially influenced to buy this cookbook. Having lived in the Bay Area, many would talk about Chez Panisse and this young chef who was studying there, Samin Nostrat. What Samin has done is categorize cooking into 4 pillars: salt, fat, acid, heat. This basic approach is easy for beginners to understand and her cookbook does a great job of breaking down these pillars. She believes that every great meal has a balance of these components. Let’s think about it by using a Cobb Salad as an example. There’s salt and fat with the bacon bits, acid with the tomatoes, some type of spice with black pepper. Those 4 components are the essentials to great meals.
Maybe you’ve seen this title before? That’s because Samin Nosrat has a show on Netflix called Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat.
Vegetable Kingdom
Why You Should Buy:
- Showcases how delicious vegan food can be
- Food activist, Bryant Terry, pairs a song with each recipe
- A step out of your comfort zone
Since I ordered this cookbook back in 2020, there has not been a cookbook that I recommend more than Vegetable Kingdom. I’m obsessed. This cookbook is for home cooks of all levels – beginner, intermediate and advanced. Bryant Terry is a long time food activist and vegan who brings his background of African and Southern culture to the table. Oyster Mushroom Po Boy sandwiches, Umami Rigatoni, and Dirty Cauliflower Rice, are all included in the cookbook. You may not be vegan but many of these recipes won’t have you craving for meat or dairy. This cookbook is great for incorporating more plant based meals into your diet.
The Whole Smith’s Good Food Cookbook
Why You Should Buy:
- Simple ingredients with powerful flavor
- Meals are usually 1 hour or less
- A Whole 30 approved cookbook which means you’ll be eating a clean diet
A while back I attempted to complete the Whole 30 challenge. I only made it to Day 17 but beyond that I continued to make recipes from the Whole Smiths Good Food Cookbook. I owe it to my family friend, Nicole, for introducing me to this hearty cookbook.
This cookbook has easy techniques that are perfect for a beginner learning to cook. All of the recipes typically use simple ingredients that you should already have in your fridge or pantry. The types of recipes you can expect are roasted carrots, braised short ribs, egg frittatas with seasonal vegetables, and apple crisps. This would be a great cookbook to use in the fall or winter as the techniques used are roasting, slow cooking and pressure cooking. If you have an Instant Pot - this cookbook is for you!
The Food Lab
Why You Should Buy:
- Scientific approach towards cooking
- Will offer the most on information on techniques of how to advance cooking like how to cook medium rare steak with a crispy crust
- Learned skills will apply to cooking and baking
At the end of the day, cooking is science. The difference between an average cook and a Master Chef is how well they understand ingredients and cooking techniques. If you’re really wanting to push the envelope of transforming from a beginner cook, then The Food Lab is a great choice. I recommend this cookbook because it’s not a fluffy cookbook just telling you what to do, it’s giving you the WHY. Your brain will start to function differently when preparing food.
Many of the techniques that you’ll learn can be applied to baking as well.
There’s no right one cookbook to start leveling up your cooking game. It all starts with making one meal at a time and having fun with it. Take my 5 cookbook recommendations as a start to your own culinary journey. If you have any questions or would like a personal recommendation, please don’t hesitate to reach out!