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Cookbooks and resources that made me a better cook
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items My cooking has gone through quite the transformation from the early days when my roomates and I each knew how to make about 3 dishes, and we all had spaghetti as one of those three things. Here are the things that really moved the needle to become a ...
Sections
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Cookbooks (with TV Shows)
Tutorials
Other Favorite Books
Cookbooks (with TV Shows)
Some of my earliest learnings came from watching cooking shows on TV. Many times, there were corresponding cookbooks. This was great because I could watch them make it, then follow along with the cookbook and make it myself.
Caprial used to have cooking shows on PBS. This video is from a later series that she did with her husband John, also a chef. Everything I have ever made from her cookbooks has gotten rave reviews and I ate in her bistro in Portland a few times befor...
Caprial and John's Kitchen Pear Brandy
I have made more from this book than any other cookbook. This is best for special meals, as some recipes take some time. The pecan stuffed pork roast with mustard sauce, the potato pancake with mediterranean relish, and the potato leek soup with chic...
Caprial's Bistro-Style Cuisine
It started with a subscription to Cooks Illustrated, but this long running TV series has steadily delivered quality cooking content. What I appreciate is that they dive deep into creating the best recipe and explain their choices. This is how we lear...
America's Test Kitchen
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After years of watching the show, this compilation is a great reference. Not just recipes, but the results of their product testing as well. These folks geek out on cooking and testing. ATK has tons of cookbooks, but this is a great general one.
America’s Test Kitchen Cookbook 2001–2024
Two master teachers and cooks together. They are fun to watch together, gently ribbing each other on their differences. It's also educational to see how they each have their own approaches to the same dish. This is especially evident in the companion...
Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home - Full Episodes
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The companion cookbook to the TV show. Watch them make it, then make it yourself from this cookbook. I especially love Jacques French Onion soup in this book.
Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home: A Cookbook
I haven't kept up with Martha since her little “diversion” but prior to that, the Martha Stewart show was one of my earliest sources of all things cooking and baking knowledge. Her attention to detail makes her recipes very reliable. I have a few of ...
Martha Stewart | Recipes, DIY, Home Decor & Crafts
Tutorials
Learn specific skills from the masters.
I love Jacques Pepin, and his knife skills are incredible. If you want to learn to use a chef's nice, he's the one to watch. Learn to hold and use a knife, and then how to apply that to cutting different foods. I love him for his blend of impeccable ...
How To Sharpen Your Knife Skills With Jacques Pepin | Dear Test Kitchen
Alton Brown's videos dig into the science of cooking, with a sense of fun. If you want to branch out into cooking without a recipe, understanding the “why” is important.
Alton Brown
I used to watch Father Dom on PBS and own both of the companion cookbooks from those series. What I love about the cookbooks is he gives the recipes by hand and with a bread machine.
Baking Bread with Father Dominic
Other Favorite Books
These are books and resources that I love that didn't really fit in the categories above.
In an attempt to cook more healthfully, I bought this book and it rapidly became our family's favorite. Yep, even the teens like it. Favorites include the Vegetarian Paella, & the Chickpea Cakes with Yogurt Cucumber Sauce. Lots of different grain...
The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook: 500 Recipes
The name says it all. We have loved everything we have tried from here. We have even made our own flour tortillas. Burritos, enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas are all here plus a variety of seafood, poultry, sides and more. The Spicy Chicken Flautas take a little bit of time, but are soo worth it.
Best Mexican Recipes
In my house, the birthday person always gets a home made cake, and this is the first book I turn to for recipes. Always reliable and delicious.
Caprial's Desserts
Julia Child taught so many to be a better cook over the years, but this collaboration with Dorie Greenspan will help you create amazing baked goods too. Dorie Greenspan has some great books too. If you want to go next level, check out Dorie's Paris S...
Baking with Julia: Joys of Baking