My Current Favorite Cookbooks

Tuesday, June 23, 2015
I have quite an extensive collection of cookbooks. From baking to ethnic to regional to celebrity chef, you name it, I have it. I keep my all-time favorites on a bookshelf in my office, and the others are tucked away in the kitchen. Every six weeks or so, I pull a few from the shelves and choose several recipes from each book to focus on.

With the kids out of school for the summer, my focus has shifted. With more time to enjoy breakfast and lunch, I need some recipe inspiration. And on rainy days, we love holing up indoors and baking. Here's where I am turning to find that inspiration.

1. Buttercream Dreams by Jeff Martin
This book is filled with 30 signature recipes from the author's Smallcakes shops. From cupcakes to ice cream to other sweet treats including cookies, pies, and fudge, Martin has your sweet tooth covered. On our baking list this summer are the coconut-chocolate chip cupcakes and the strawberry lemonade cupcakes in a jar.

2. Baking With Kids by Leah Brooks
This book is not only filled with a selection of fabulous recipes, but it also gives detailed explanations of safe kitchen practices and how to use basic kitchen equipment. As you and your little ones are having fun, you will also be learning a thing or to as you bake together. What I love about this cookbook is that it isn't filled to the brim with sweet treats. There are recipes for French baguettes, soft pretzels, pizza dough, olive oil crackers, and more. On our to make list this summer: cheesy cheddar puffs, lemon poppy seed muffins, spring onion scones, and pizza dough.

3. America's Best Cookbook for Kids With Diabetes by Colleen Bartley
This cookbook is designed to help parents of children with diabetes provide delicious and kid-friendly meals that the whole family will enjoy. With a focus on foods that are low on the glycemic index, Bartley's recipes deliver the supervised diet that children with diabetes require without ever making them feel deprived or left out. Of course, the biggest plus is that the carbohydrate counts are included as well as other pertinent nutritional information. Here are a few of the dishes we'll be cooking up this summer: pina colada snacking cake, garden burritos, crunchy French toast, and BLT wraps.

4. Fondue by Lou Seibert Pappas
Fondue is the ultimate fun food. It easy to prepare. It's delicious, and it's a crowd pleaser no matter the occasion. We love cheese fondue, and it's surprisingly simple to turn into a main meal. This book has plenty of recipes for cheese, entree, and dessert fondues for any palette and any size gathering from an intimate dinner to a family gathering. This summer we can't wait to try queso fundido, Japenese tempura, and the cappuccino fondues.

5. Weelicious by Catherine McCord
When McCord became frustrated by the lack of healthy, easy recipes for kids online, she created weelicious.com. This book is a spinoff of the popular website that shares it's name. It's filled with fresh and delicious recipes that the whole family will enjoy. From breakfast to evening snack, McCord has meal solutions for anytime of the day.

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