Favourite Cookbooks / Chefs?

My sister has a ring binder which is pretty nice. I've thought about doing it on the computer, but then you have to have your computer in the kitchen with you while you cook! I definitely don't have room for that. Her binder is nice because you can easily take the page out that you need to use, and they're in a plastic sleeve so they don't get ruined. 

My best friend gave me something similar when I moved here. It's a ring binder with notecards in plastic sleeves, on which she wrote a few of her own recipes that I love and left the rest blank for me to write in my favourites. I have written out some conversion charts and other useful things in the back, too, which is helpful. If I make something that DH really loves, he tells me to write it down in my book so I can make it the same way again.

My best friend gave me something similar when I moved here. It's a ring binder with notecards in plastic sleeves, on which she wrote a few of her own recipes that I love and left the rest blank for me to write in my favourites. I have written out some conversion charts and other useful things in the back, too, which is helpful. If I make something that DH really loves, he tells me to write it down in my book so I can make it the same way again.

That's a great start! I know my sister doesn't just use notecards. It may have started out that way, but it has evolved to include newspaper clippings, etc. I have a recipe box that has everything jammed in there. Maybe I need to do a binder myself!

I have an A3 ring binder in my kitchen and I print out everything and pop them into plastic wallets (that have been donated by my company after using them for everything for years)

I get most of my recipes online and Gourmet (RIP) and Bon Appetit, but I do love cookbooks. The Tessa Kiros books, Falling Cloudberries and Apples for Jam, are beautiful and nice simple recipes.

I love my Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks...I have several editions. 

My sister has a ring binder which is pretty nice. I've thought about doing it on the computer, but then you have to have your computer in the kitchen with you while you cook! I definitely don't have room for that. Her binder is nice because you can easily take the page out that you need to use, and they're in a plastic sleeve so they don't get ruined. 

We use plastic sleeves, and I LOVE it.  If I find a recipe online that I like, I simply print it and toss it in a sleeve.  I started taping the smaller bits - partial magazine pages, old 3x5 cards, random scribblings - onto paper and sliding that into the sleeves as well.  We've now got a 3" binder stuffed to the brim with yumminess!

As for actual books, the one that's been the most helpful has (surprisingly) been my beat up Betty Crocker's Cookbook.  It's great for general information, as well as a source for basic recipes I can build on.  My mom gave it to me when I went off to college, and it gets far more use than our relatively ignored copy of The Joy of Cooking.

I absolutely love Paula Deen! Her recipes are great plus she is one funny lady and her laugh is fantastic. She really puts me in a good mood. I don't have her cook books though. I just go to food network and look up recipes. In fact I don't have any cook books I look everything up on line  . I usually just book mark my favorite recipes but the binder idea is pretty good! I will probably get around to doing that someday!

I know she's annoying, but I like Rachel Ray for recipes. I have her vegetarian cookbook which is good. I usually just look her up on the Food Network. They're simple, hearty meals that aren't too fancy and always turn out tasty!

I know she's annoying, but I like Rachel Ray for recipes. I have her vegetarian cookbook which is good. I usually just look her up on the Food Network. They're simple, hearty meals that aren't too fancy and always turn out tasty!

I like her too, I buy the mag most months at Costco.

I know she's annoying, but I like Rachel Ray for recipes. I have her vegetarian cookbook which is good. I usually just look her up on the Food Network. They're simple, hearty meals that aren't too fancy and always turn out tasty!

I dont find Rachel Ray annoying at all! Now Giada De laurentis That lady is soooooo Annoying!

I dont find Rachel Ray annoying at all! Now Giada De laurentis That lady is soooooo Annoying!

Giada doesn't bother me, but I hate the way her show is shot - all boobs all the time. Her cookbooks are actually pretty good, though.  We got one as a gift, and I've used it quite a bit.

As others have already attested, Nigel Slater is ace! 

Giada doesn't bother me, but I hate the way her show is shot - all boobs all the time. Her cookbooks are actually pretty good, though.  We got one as a gift, and I've used it quite a bit.

The boob shots to be honest are not what bother me about her. It's the way she talks In one sentence she sounds like a total valley girl and then in the next she is straight up Italian. It's probably just her natural voice and accent but to me it sounds like she is trying to much. That a side the recipes are what count and they are good .

I also have a ring binder with plastic sleeves.  I use it for recipes I cut out of magazines and newspapers, recipes found on line, and to hold the recipe cards I pick up at the grocery stores.  It is a pretty amazing collection, I need to go back and organise it.

I have some Barefoot Contessa books and they are great.

But as a kid, we only had one cookbook at our house, the Better Homes and Garden one with the red and white gingham cover.  When I first left home, I thought you would never need another cookbook!  I have become a lot more adventurous since then and now have about 2 dozen cookbook, but I still use the H&G one a lot, especially when I feel homesick for childhood goodies.

A recent acquisition that I really like is Bake by Rachel Allen.  I think she is rather like the Barefoot Contessa in her style.  Easy to make recipes, great on flavour.

A recent acquisition that I really like is Bake by Rachel Allen.  I think she is rather like the Barefoot Contessa in her style.  Easy to make recipes, great on flavour.

I'm really into this one! I just got it a few days ago and have already tried 3 recipes, with a few more in mind for the weekend! Greatness! Have you made the honey buns yet? Made those tonight and they are awesome! Also made the honey and ginger snaps and they disappeared fast at the office.  I'm kind of afraid of yeast and kneading dough for some reason, but she makes it sound pretty easy, so I might give one of her bread recipes a try.