Some cookbooks in my libary

Some cookbooks in my library

Yes, I do have and use cookbooks. I have quite a library, arranged by type of cooking. I have baking books, books by nationality, and general cookbooks. I also have some old books that are no longer in print, but if you can find them, I highly recommend them.

Newest Cookbook

Spane holding Paula's book

My newest book is The Southern Cooking Bible by Paula Dean. My grandmother was originally from Texas, and my grandfather’s family was in the South. I have Southern roots, and this cookbook has a lot of recipes for dishes my grandmother used to make that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else. I love my new book!

Not only that, it’s a signed copy. Spane and I went to Barnes and Noble on October 24, 2011. We waited in line to see Paula and her husband. She was just so nice, and I told her that next time she came to Glendale to check out the local shops. When I mentioned Rose Petal and Young Walnut preserves, her eyes got as big as saucers. I told her to check out The Good Plate. Her husband asked Spane to Hi-5 him, and Spane did. Spane doesn’t know his own strength – I hope Paula’s husband is okay!

Also In the Collection

I am listing the books that are still available with their link on Amazon, so you can get a copy yourself. Try Ebay or older bookstores for ones that are out of print.

General Cookbooks

  • The American Woman’s Cook Book – I love this book. Mine is the War Time edition (World War II that is), and even though the spine is almost gone, I consult this book a lot. Everything is in here, from how to set the table (a lost art I think), to how to arrange your kitchen.
  • The Joy of Cooking – Yes, Julia Child had this book in her library, and I do, too.

International Cookbooks

  • The Mafia Cookbook: Revised and Expanded – If you like truly good Italian food, the select recipes in here are wonderful, and the stories the author tells about his time in the Mafia ain’t bad either.

Baking

Out of Print

I had the fortune of going to the Dollar Book Store in Burbank, and was able to pick up some out of print books to add to my collection.

  • Jeff Smith’s Frugal Gourmet Series. I used to love watching the Frugal Gourmet when it was on PBS. No matter what Jeff Smith did, he is and always will be a good cook, and an excellent teacher. I already had The Frugal Gourmet Cooks with Wineand regularly used it for reference. Here’s what I was also able to pickup:
    • The Frugal Gourmet – the book that a started it all
    • The Frugal Gourmet Cooks American
    • The Frugal Gourmet Cooks Italian (my favorite)
    • The Frugal Cooks Three Ancient Cuisines Greek, Italian and Chinese
  • Woman’s Day Encyclopedia of Cookery – my mother and I had the complete set when I was a little girl, and these are the books gave me my cooking skills (and The American Woman’s Cookbook). These are wonderful books, if you can get them. They have been republished a few times, but I like the original ones that my mother and I had. I was only able to find four of them, and am still missing nine books. If you find em, let me know!

Other Recipe Resources

There is only one cookbook that I want that I cannot have! If any of you have read any of the wonderful Faye Kellerman’s books, you know about Rita Decker. I want Faye Kellerman to write Rita’s cookbook. I want to make what Rita’s making – and I am going to email Faye Kellerman until she agrees!

My other source of recipes is BigOven, and I often copy a frequently used recipe from one of my cookbooks to my cookbook program, then publish it on-line (of course giving credit to the author and the cookbook), where I can find it without being at home.