If it’s not already obvious to you…I’m a planner to the nth degree. And that includes weekly meal planning. I’m not a “meal prepper” per se – I can’t busy myself with all that cooking, storing, Tupperware, etc etc etc. But I do love to set my menus on Sundays so that I’m not scrambling when it comes to dinner time after a long work day. This is something I’ve always watched my mom and my grandmother do, and we love to chat about our menus during our Sunday family dinners.
I refer to a lot of places when building my weekly menus, asking Qs like – what’s a recipe we haven’t made in a while? what’s a new one we can try? what’s everyone craving? I’m a strong Pinterest user to this day, but I also looove flipping through my several (several) cookbooks for inspo. I mean is there anything better than a slow Sunday morning, sipping coffee and looking at beautiful photos of delicious food?! Maybe with a Bravo show on in the background? I think not.
Anyway, here are a few of my favorite cookbooks that I’m constantly reaching for.
My friends and I have been massive Alex fans from her start when she was just sharing recipes on her IG and blog. Fast forward to now, she has 3 cookbooks, a delicious line of dressings and sauces called SideDish, and countless other exciting accomplishments. But I tell you what – the OG Defined Dish cookbook is the one I reach for most. It has cooking stains on the pages – that’s how you know it’s well-loved. 🙂
I first heard about Gaby a few years back, when my co-worker was constantly bringing in her chicken larb dish for lunch. Let me tell you – this dish is ADDICTING and probably my most shared on IG. I could also drink her basil vinaigrette (IYKYK). All of Gaby’s recipes are super flavorful and refreshing, and she even sends out weekly menus to everyone on her email distro. Such a delight! She is also just a gem of a human. Highly recommend.
Check out all of Gaby’s cookbooks here.
Follow Gaby on Instagram.
No round-up of cookbooks is complete without a mention of the queen: Ina Garten. Ina is my mom’s favorite chef to follow, hands-down. We’ve watched countless episodes of Barefoot Contessa together, and she has every single one of her cookbooks. I’m slowly but surely following in her footsteps with my own collection. No one does it like Ina! If you’re just starting off on your cookbook journey, this is one that I personally refer to often.
Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics
See all of Ina’s cookbooks here.
My sister gifted me Serena’s second cookbook, The Dude Diet Dinnertime, a few years back and I’ve been an avid follower of hers ever since. While her recipes offer a great way to lighten up quintessential “man food,” Serena’s IG offers more than just recipes. Her style is unmatched, her regular cooking tips are so nifty, and she’s a massive proponent of mental health. A lifestyle follow, through and through.
Another gal that has gone from someone I follow on IG to now owning her cookbook: Caroline Chambers. I’ve loved following Caro’s NorCal, boy mom life for years and I feel like a proud friend seeing another one of her cookbooks on shelves. Her no-frills recipes makes cooking feel not-so-daunting, and this cookbook is a homerun. Plus, her newly decorated home (shared on IG) is literally *chef’s kiss*.
Interested in knowing what I’m cooking each week? Happy to share my weekly menus with you! Maybe on Instagram? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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