Although we have evolved past the art of the print cook book and transitioned to an era of Pinterest and Food Blogs, I do love a hard copy of my favourite recipes. Some of these books are actually penned by the bloggers I follow. Not only do I like to support their endeavour but I do love the look of a stack of collected cookbooks. There is something to be said for sitting down and pulling a recipe, whether it be new or a tried and true favourite, from the pages of your trusted cookbook.

These ones also happen to be easy on the eye and help to style your kitchen counter (mine often end up mixed in my coffee table stacks, since I like meal planning from my couch).

Six Seasons

McFadden channels both farmer and chef, highlighting the evolving attributes of vegetables throughout their growing seasons—an arc from spring to early summer to midsummer to the bursting harvest of late summer, then ebbing into autumn and, finally, the earthy, mellow sweetness of winter. Each chapter begins with recipes featuring raw vegetables at the start of their season. As weeks progress, McFadden turns up the heat—grilling and steaming, then moving on to sautés, pan roasts, braises, and stews. I love the educational aspect as he explains more about the individual seasonal vegetables. It’s been divided into 6 distinct seasons rather than the typical 4. This is a collection of recipes that are beautifully in tune with the seasons and the land.

Canelle et Vanille

I added this one to my bookshelf this summer and it has quickly become my go-to. In my opinion, it’s important to have an arsenal of recipes that you feel confident cooking for company that suits all dietary needs and preferences. These gluten free recipes are so flavourful. Recipes are organized around the day: start off with Spicy Carrot, Grapefruit, and Sunflower juice Soft-cooked Eggs with Dukkah and Bitter Greens; and move on to Tomato, Corn, and Bread Salad at midday. There is a chapter of everyday dinners you can prepare on a weeknight, such as a simple spaghetti and meatballs supper or Braised Chicken with Apples and Cider. You'll also find a chapter of menus to inspire you when you want to gather together a larger group of friends and family which Aran heartily encourages! She is especially known for her tender, gluten-free baking, and the book includes recipes for her sourdough bread, caramelized onion and fennel biscuits, and apple tarte tatin (with flour substitutions are included for those who aren't gluten-free)

Check out Aran’s gorgeous Instagram feed.

Autentico

So much more than pasta! In Autentico, Rolando details how to make classic dishes from Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe to Risotto in Bianco and Gran Bollito Misto as they are meant to be – not the versions that somehow became muddled as they made their way across the globe. Among the 120 recipes, you’ll find Baked Zucchini Blossoms filled with sheep's milk ricotta; Roast Pork Belly with Wild Fennel; Savoy Cabbage Rolls made with farro and melted fontina; Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe; Risotto with Radicchio; and a Lamb Stew with ancient Spice Route flavors that have roots from the times of Marco Polo and could have been served to the de’ Medici during the Renaissance. And of course, there are dolci (desserts): Summer Fruit Caponata, Meringata with Bitter Chocolate Sauce, and a simple, moist, and succulent Extra Virgin Olive Oil Cake. Colored by the choicest ingredients from the shores of Italy and beyond, the pages of Autentico offer a rich taste of the Italy’s history, brought to life in the modern kitchen.

Half Baked Harvest Cookbook

Everyone’s favourite food blog! Tieghan Gerard grew up in the Colorado mountains as one of seven children. When her dad took too long to make dinner every night, she started doing the cooking—at age 15. Ever-determined to reign in the chaos of her big family, Tieghan found her place in the kitchen. She had a knack for creating unique dishes, which led her to launch her blog, Half Baked Harvest. Since then, millions of people have fallen in love with her fresh take on comfort food, stunning photography, and charming life in the mountains.

While it might be a trek to get to Tieghan’s barn-turned-test kitchen, her creativity shines here: dress up that cheese board with a real honey comb; decorate a standard salad with spicy, crispy sweet potato fries; serve stir fry over forbidden black rice; give French Onion Soup an Irish kick with Guinness and soda bread; bake a secret ingredient into your apple pie (hint: it’s molasses). And a striking photograph accompanies every recipe, making Half Baked Harvest Cookbook a feast your eyes, too.

Sweet Laurel

I’d be remiss if I left out sweets! Again, a gluten free book bursting with delicious treats. Some simpler than others. This strawberry cake has become my favourite to bring to a party in the summer. The recipes here are indulgent yet healthful. They use just a few quality ingredients to create delicious desserts that benefit your body; all of these treats are paleo, and many are vegan and raw. From Matcha Sandwich Cookies to Salted Lemon Meringue Pie to Classic German Chocolate Cake, these treats are at once uncomplicated, beautiful, and satisfying, made only with wholesome ingredients such as almonds, coconut, cacao, and dates. Here, too, are basic staple recipes to keep with you, like grain-free vanilla extract and vegan caramel, and fancy finishes, like paleo sprinkles and dairy-free ice cream.

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Kitchen photos by Paige Owen.

My Current Cook Books