Gift Guides 2013: For the Cookbook Enthusiast

I thought I would share a few gift guides this year and today I’m starting with cookbooks.  You can really never have too many.  At least in my opinion.  And while e-readers seem to be taking over the book world I don’t think they’ll ever be able to fully replace the cookbook.

I’m constantly flipping around to different pages referencing things in the beginning chapters that I find annoying to do with e-readers.  Plus, having a piece of electronic equipment in the kitchen spells disaster and tears for me.  I just love when a cookbook starts to look used—smears of batter, worn pages, favorite recipes the book opens right to, etc.

That said, here are some of my favorite cookbooks and some I’m looking to add to my collection, plus the one I wrote.  Couldn’t help myself there!

Feel free to add your favorite cookbooks in the comment section below.  I’m always on the lookout for new books to add to my collection.

Happy December!

Ashley

[vegan]

Isa Does It + Veganomicon by Isa Chandra – I have heard nothing but great things about all of Isa’s books and can’t wait to finally add some of them to my collection.  V.K. Rees—one of my very favorite food photographers—photographed her latest book, Isa Does It.

The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon - due out 3/4/14 – Angela has been a good friend for years now and I’ve been patiently waiting for the arrival of her first cookbook.  I have no doubt her recipes and photography will impress.

365 Vegan Smoothies by Kathy Patalsky – A smoothie every day!  I’m always looking for new smoothie ideas and I love how Kathy breaks down the chapters and really informs the reader about nutritional benefits of the ingredients used.

[vegetarian]

Super Natural Everyday + Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve flipped through and cooked from Heidi’s books.  She was the first blog I ever read—before I even knew what blogs really were—and her recipes and photos are timeless.  Heidi was a major influence in lessoning my meat consumption and then cutting it completely a few years back.

The French Market Cookbook by Clotilde Dusoulier – I don’t yet own this book but just know these vegetable-heavy, vegetarian recipes will be right up my ally.  The photography is inspirational as well.

Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi – A seasonal vegetarian cookbook with a Mediterranean flare.  I’ve been eyeing this cookbook up for awhile now!  I love the simple, vibrant photos.

[gluten-free]

Baked Doughnuts for Everyone by Ashley McLaughlin – Had to add it to the list!  My goal with this book was to create gluten-free baked doughnut recipes that no one would suspect are actually gluten-free.  I wanted the recipes to feel accessible and easy enough for anyone to whip up with a simple combination of gluten-free flours.

Gluten-Free on a Shoestring Bakes Bread by Nicole Hunn – I am so looking forward to trying my hand at baking real-deal gluten-free bread!  I’ve been scared up until this point but the cover photo has me sold.

Gluten-Free Girl Every Day by Shauna James Ahern – If you’re just delving into the world of gluten-free cooking I’ve heard this cookbook is a great place to start. 

The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook by Elana Amsterdam – If you’re grain free or love baking with almond flour this is the cookbook for you!  Elana is a pro at grain-free baking.

[little bit of everything]

The Sprouted Kitchen by Sara Forte, photographed by Hugh Forte – I use this book all of the time.  Whether it’s for following an exact recipe, for recipe ideas, or photography inspiration, it’s a favorite in my collection!

Joy the Baker Cookbook by Joy Wilson – Beautiful baked goods of all varieties and fantastic flavor combinations.  Love the creativity of the recipes and cheery design of the book.

Bountiful by Todd Porter and Diane Cu – Still waiting to own this beauty of a cookbook!  I love how their photos and recipes tell a story. 

It’s All Good by Gwyneth Paltrow – I don’t own this one yet but love Gwyneth’s approach.  The recipes were created with simplicity in mind and meant to leave you feeling healthy, energetic, and satisfied.

The Homemade Flour Cookbook by Erin Alderson – due out 6/1/14 – With my obsession for grinding my own flours at home I cannot wait for this book to come out to learn more about different types of grains and how best to mill them at home.  Erin’s book also includes many recipes [and beautiful photos!] utilizing the freshly milled flours.