What Makes Good Cookbooks Good?
This page will provide you with eight ideas to consider when choosing a new cookbook, some interesting cookbook facts and some great sources for finding new cookbooks. I hope this page helps you with your next cook book purchase!
Please leave your thoughts on what I can do to improve this page in the comment box at the bottom and remember to use the star ratings system shown above to rate this page and please check out the great new and pre-owned cookbooks that are listed on this page and in my eBay store, Treasures By Brenda. You never know what I might have in store for you!
Follow these easy steps to enjoy this page!
- Eight Considerations That Make A Cookbook Great
- What do you think makes a great cookbook?
- Good Cookbooks -- The Squidoo Community Recommends...
- Irma S. Rombauer Joy of Cooking Tips
- Purchasing Cookbooks from Treasures By Brenda
- Hard-To-Find and Rare Titles at Auction on EBay Right Now
- Books Dedicated To Collecting Cookbooks!
- Fast Cookbook Facts
- Cookbooks in the News
- More Great Cookbook Sites
- My Favorite Cookbook -- Yes, This Is The Spot To Enter Your Favorite Cookbook!
- The Final Step In this Recipe...
Eight Considerations That Make A Cookbook Great
When the Executive Editor of Gourmet magazine, Doc Willoughby, announced he had given away almost all of his cookbooks there was, understandably, chaos. But it was not long before someone asked the most important question - "How did you choose?" What followed was most likely a strong discussion but Willoghby summed it up with, "The recipes have to work," he said. "Otherwise, I'm not interested." That, naturally, is of the utmost importance. However, there are other considerations for a good cookbook:Format - consider a book that opens flat. Spiral-bound cookbooks are great because they open nicely. A regular hardcover book can be difficult to work with.
Good Photography - there are some books that do not have pictures that are good but in general, a cookbook with pictures draws you in and engages you and allows you to see how the food will appear when it is prepared. Great photos makes a cookbook more fun to read. However, do not make the mistake of buying a cookbook just because the cover is pretty!
Clear Instructions -- they should be clear, detailed and easy to follow as well as suitable for your level of cooking ability. A beginner would be better off with a beginnner's cookbook than with one that is too advanced.
Personality -- this will shine through, you should feel like you know the author's style a little bit, their lifestyle, their skill.
Theme -- this is a personal choice but without a theme a cookbook is just a collection of recipes. The subject could be a type of cuisine, a country, a produce, a type of cooking or a style of writing. Watch for recipes that you know you and your family and friends will enjoy eating and watch out for exotic and/or expensive ingredients.
Extra features -- are often helpful and might include a list of ingredient substitutions, conversion tables or basic cooking techniques.
Bargain cookbooks -- they are no bargain if you buy a mustard cookbook that you use once and never open again! Remember this bit of advice when you approach the sale table at the bookstore.
Recommendations -- there is no better way to know the quality of a cookbook than from someone who has used it and loves it. If a friend owns it and recommends it, you can be sure that it is great!
HOT MONEY-SAVING TIP
Check out cookbooks from the library before you buy them! This allows you to decide if you really like a cookbook and if it is worth owning. If you don't like it, you will have saved yourself some money! -- Design For Less Blog
What do you think makes a great cookbook?
Please vote and help us decide what makes a great cookbook! In this poll, you are free to add items to the list of items that make the perfect cookbook for you. Don't forget to vote for whichever consideration is the most important for you!
Clear Instructions
Without these, a cookbook is a disaster waiting to more...4 points
Personal Recommendations
Cookbooks that a friend recommend ROCK because the more...0 points
Good Cookbooks -- The Squidoo Community Recommends...
A place for all Squids, and valued guests, to recommend their favorite cookbooks!
My Favorite Cookbook -- rockycha
TYLER'S ULTIMATE: Brilliant Simple Food to Make Any Time by Tyler Florence
"He's Tyler Florence - the hunk of HGTV (goodness gracious he's gorgeous, lol)...He's another celebrity chef, for a long time he had a show on Food Network called "Food 911" where he'd go to people's houses (usually women) and teach them how to fix a certain recipe that always flopped for them...the whole time he was teaching them he'd flirt in all these cute subtle ways - a joy to watch...I loved it because it didn't matter if the lady was short, fat, old, young, attractive - he was just always so warm and delightful... ( I think this program is still on foodnetwork on sat. mornings too).
Anyway, now his show on food channel is "tyler's ultimate" usually on in the afternoon 'round 2pm central every day.... He takes classic recipes - beef stew, apple pie, meatloaf, roast chicken - and then investigates how to make them in the ultimate recipe - pretty good show and his teaching is very clear...." -- rockycha
Read rockycha's lens on Thanksgiving decorations by clicking here and find a selection of Tyler's cookbooks at the bottom of this page!
Click here to buy Tyler's Ultimate:
Brilliant Simple Food to Make Any Time
from Amazon.
Tyler Florence Cookbooks Abound
My Favorite Cookbook -- Treasures By Brenda
COUNTRY COOKING by Time Life in the American Country series
"My favorite cookbook? Well, as usual, a favorite is hard to pick. One that I positively, absolutely love though is a 1989 Time-Life book from the American Country series called Country Cooking. It is my favorite because several of the best recipes I have ever tried came from it. They include an absolutely amazing corn chowder and a delicious chicken pot pie." -- Treasures By Brenda 
My Favorite Cookbook -- The_Party_Animal
Any of the Campbells' Cookbooks
"I enjoy cookbooks with pictures for each recipe - that is a good cookbook for me. I honestly like the Campbell's cookbooks - all recipes are so easy!!!" -- The_Party_Animal
![]("http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=treasubybrend-20&l=as2&o=1&a=141272760X")
Fans of Campbell's Soup Will Find Plenty of Campbell's Cookbooks Available!
My Favorite Cookbook -- Amy from Americana Kitchen
Nigella Lawson's How To Eat
True, if you want glossy food porn pictures, one of Nigella's later cookbooks will be your best bet, but for classic cooking, How to Eat will tell you everything you need to know to do just that: eat." -- Amy from Americana Kitchen
Click here to buy
Nigella Lawson's
How to Eat: The Pleasures and Principles of Good Food
from Amazon.
A Selection of Nigella Lawson's Cookbooks
My Favorite Cookbook -- RubenCV
Treasury of Great Recipes by Vincent and Mary Price
"Restaurant cookbooks are my favorites but I'd have to vote A Treasury of Great Recipes by Vincent Price and his wife as the most beautiful cookbook ever in terms of the binding, material, etc. It is truly a treasure." -- RubenCV
Buy A Treasury of Great Recipes From Amazon By Clicking Here
By Mary and Vincent Price - Famous Specialities of the World's Foremost Restaurants Adapted for the American Kitchen 1965
My Favorite Cookbook -- rms
Giada De Laurentiis
"I like Giada De Laurentiis' cookbooks." -- rms
Buy Giada's Kitchen: New Italian Favorites from Amazon By Clicking Here
More Giada De Laurentiis Cookbooks
My Favorite Cookbook -- EverythingMouse
Gordon Ramsay Makes It Easy
"I think my favorite is probably Gordon Ramsay Makes it Easy. Although I love most of his books. I am also a big fan of Jamie Oliver - his latest book Jamie at Home is inspiring me to start growing my own food too." -- EverythingMouse
Buy Gordon Ramsay Makes It Easy From Amazon By Clicking Here
Some Great Gordon Ramsay Cookbooks
My Favorite Cookbook -- Joan 4
The Tate Family Cookbook
"I have to admit my favorite cookbook is the family cookbook my sister created, The Tate Family Cookbook." -- Joan4
My Favorite Cookbook - NancyOram
Vintage cookbooks.
"I love the vintage cookbooks. Not always practical for today's cooking, but fun to take a step back in time." -- NancyOram
My Favorite Cookbook -- GramaBarb
1957 Robin Hood Cookbook
"My favorite cookbook is still an old (1957) Robin Hood Cookbook I received as a gift at my wedding shower :) That book taught me how to bake the best bread ever! Since then I collect recipes from family and friends" -- GramaBarb
My Favorite Cookbook -- JudyDunn
Jane Brody's Good Food Gourmet
"My favorite cookbook is Jane Brody's Good Food Gourmet. The recipes are straight forward, not too complicated, and have ingredients that I am likely to have around....and they are healthy! It is probably the first cookbook I go to when I am looking for a recipe." -- JudyDunn
Click here to buy Jane Brody's Good Food Gourmet from Amazon.
My Favorite Cookbook -- ottoblotto
Church group cookbooks!
"I love cookbooks from church groups; church ladies in the south always have the greatest casserole recipes." -- ottoblotto
My Favorite Cookbook - NanLT
Better Homes and Gardens or What's Cooking
"I don't tend to favour one cookbook over another. But some that I return to again and again are 'Better Homes and Garden' cookbook for American recipes and the 'What's Cooking' series of books here in the UK." -- NanLT
My Favorite Cookbook -- CCGAL
Shirley Corriher's CookWise
"I think Shirley Corriher's book "CookWise" is my favorite. She teaches the kitchen chemistry side of cooking, so that once you understand why recipes work, you can develop the ability to read other cookbooks and look at proportions of ingredients and know in advance if a recipe is going to be a winner." -- CCGAL
Click here to buy Cookwise: The Secrets of Cooking Revealed from Amazon.
My Favorite Cookbook -- This Spot Reserved For Your Recommendation!
Irma S. Rombauer Joy of Cooking Tips
Take The Joy Fun Facts Quiz
Joy of Cooking: Fun Facts Quiz
The Joy of Cooking
Joy of Cooking: 75th Anniversary Edition - 2006
Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 07/09/2009)
List Price: $35.00
The book is the 75th anniversary edition of Irma Rombauer's Joy of Cooking. It almost needs no introduction...past versions have been favorites for generations. It is a staple and includes hundreds of brand-new recipes as well as recipes from previous editions. It is also probably one of the only cookbooks that does not have pictures that I would recommend to a friend.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Do you collect cookbooks?
Purchasing Cookbooks from Treasures By Brenda
When you shop at my eBay store, you can rest assured that customer service is my top priority. I am here, ready and willing to answer your questions or process your order. You will find me quite willing to combine items to help you save money on shipping. Two cookbooks usually ship for not much more than the cost of one. (Unless you are overseas.) If it is not clear in the description, please just ask for a shipping quote!
I stand by my auctions with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. I am willing to give you a full refund, including shipping, if the item is not as described.
Every item that I ship is insured and shipped the business day after payment is received. I do everything I can to get your purchase(s) to you as quickly as possible.
I have met many nice people through my eBay business and now I am meeting more through Squidoo. I love hearing your stories about the items you have purchased, what you collect and what it is that you are looking for. It is these stories that make selling on eBay rewarding. Please let me know if there is something special you are looking for and I will add it to my search.
Here are just a few of the cookbooks available in my eBay store, Treasures By Brenda.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Why Should You Buy From Me?
Here are just a few reasons I think you'd enjoy buying from me. If you're a happy customer already, feel free to add your own reasons below.
Friendly and Efficient Customer Service, Your Satisfaction Is My Top Priority
0 points
100 Percent Positive Feedback Rating and Top Ranked Detailed Seller or Star Rating
0 points
Combined Shipping -- Save Money On Shipping By Buying Multiple Items and Paying Just One Shipping Charge!
0 points
Hard-To-Find and Rare Titles at Auction on EBay Right Now
If you are interested in one of these books, act now for once the bidding is done the book is gone!
Hard-to-find cookbooks that are at auction right now for between $25 and $50. This section is sure to include vintage, retro and modern cookbooks.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byDo you have a favorite cookbook author?
Rare Cookbooks Valued at $50 to $100 -- These Ones Are Hard-To-Find and Sought After
Rarity drives the price up no eBay. Once again, f there is something here that you are interested in, bid NOW. When the auction is over, the cookbook will be gone.
This section includes rare, valuable cookbooks being bid on in the $50 to $100 range. Most likely to include older, rare cookbooks, this section could include the odd recent cookbook.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byRare Cookbooks Valued, Believe It Or Not, In Excess of $100
Once again, remember that these books are at auction. When the auction is over, the cookbook will be gone.
This section includes cookbooks that are going for in excess of $100 -- if you seen none here, it because there are no cookbooks being bid on in that price range right now. At the time that I created this page, there was just one cookbook in this category.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byBooks Dedicated To Collecting Cookbooks!
If you are a serious cookbook collector, you might want to read one of these titles.
A Guide to Collecting Cookbooks: A History of People, Companies and Cooking
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2009)
Antique Trader Collectible Cookbooks Price Guide
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 07/09/2009)
Fast Cookbook Facts
Cookbooks in the News
- A Southern Chef's Love Affair With Italian Food
- This cookbook could easily be overlooked as a coffee table book, but that would be an injustice to the author. Stitt is the chef/owner of restaurants in ...
- Marilynn Marter, Inquirer food writer, dies at 66
- In 2007, Miss Marter weighed in on wine tastings and cookbooks, as well as what to make for a Jewish holiday. Her breezy style was evident in a December ...
- Windstar Cruises Unveils 2010 Signature Collection Host Series
- Further accolades include "Ten Best Cookbooks of 2004" by Food & Wine magazine and the "Best Dessert Cookbook" by People magazine. Bigelow will discuss how ...
What brings you to this page about finding good cookbooks?
More Great Cookbook Sites
- What Makes a Good Cookbook
- Gourmet, the Magazine of Good Living. Recipes, popular columns, features archive, forums, and subscriptions. This is the direct link to the full story of Executive Editor of Gourmet magazine, Doc Willoughby who gave away almost all of his cookbooks.
- Tyler Florence's Official Site
- Official site of chef Tyler Florence. Includes blog, news, TV shows, books, photos, and information on the Tyler Florence Scholarship at Johnson & Wales University.
My Other Cookbook Lens
-
If Company's Coming Use Jean Pare's Cookbooks!
-
Company's Coming and Jean Pare have written a cookbook for almost every cook from the very youngest to the very experienced. This fantastic series of cook books is extremely popular and most books are still available. A few are out-of-print or hard-t...
Will you be buying a new cookbook today? If so, take a peek at the following cookbooks available through Amazon today.
My Favorite Cookbook -- Yes, This Is The Spot To Enter Your Favorite Cookbook!
(Or your comments on this page.)
Yes, that is right! You have found it! This is the spot that you are looking for. The spot where you can recommend your favorite cookbook. Just take a moment and submit the name and author of your favorite cookbook and the reason(s) why you like it.
If you are not a member of the Squidoo community, you could consider joining but do not fret if you do not want to do that. You are still welcome to submit your favorite cookbook and have it appear on this page. Don't forget to tell me WHY it is your favorite.
I look forward to reading about all of your cookbooks!
JaguarJulie wrote...
You know Brenda -- I was thinking of great recipe cookbooks from various countries! My mom has a lens on Hungarian cookbooks -- it would be cool to organize with a zeemap or some other interactive map to connect countries with the cookbooks! ;)
Posted May 10, 2009
AndyPo wrote...
Excellent idea for a lens. I have lots of cookbooks, but probably use just a couple of recipes from each one (actually I customise the recipes and rarely stick to the exact formula.)
Posted May 02, 2009
CCGAL wrote...
I think Shirley Corriher's book "CookWise" is my favorite. She teaches the kitchen chemistry side of cooking, so that once you understand why recipes work, you can develop the ability to read other cookbooks and look at proportions of ingredients and know in advance if a recipe is going to be a winner.
Nice lens! I have really enjoyed it, and the favorites of others is a very special and interesting touch. Great idea to keep your lens fresh. 5*
Posted March 19, 2009
NanLT wrote...
I don't tend to favour one cookbook over another. But some that I return to again and again are 'Better Homes and Garden' cookbook for American recipes and the 'What's Cooking' series of books here in the UK.
Posted February 07, 2009
ottoblotto wrote...
I love cookbooks from church groups; church ladies in the south always have the greatest casserole recipes. 5*
Posted February 06, 2009
The Final Step In this Recipe...
Celebrating Cranberries and Basically Blue (Blueberries) Cookbooks
by Treasures-By-Brenda
Shopping for a new cookbook... (more)
