Can you ever really have too many cookbooks? If you’re reading my blog, you probably agree with me in the answer.
In a word, no. Even those of us who have upwards of 400, and who might be called hoarders collectors, still always want to read new cookbooks. It’s an illness obsession. It’s a crazy charming quirk.
So I signed up for a fun Food Blogger Cookbook Swap, hosted by Alyssa of Everyday Maven [1] and Faith of An Edible Mosaic [2]. I sent a cookbook to a fellow food blogger and received a different cookbook in return from someone else.
[3]Thanks very much to Holly from A Baker’s House [4] for sending me “Keeping it Simple,” by Gary Rhodes. Such a lovely book, and Holly carefully chose a title from a British chef, hoping I wouldn’t already have it in my vast collection. (She read my “About” page.) She was right! And note how food bloggers like to tie everything up in twine — even cookbooks. 😎
I set to work perusing, and found, as Holly said, that the author has “a style that highlights quality, fresh ingredients and sound technique.” I came across so many things I’d like to make.
[5]First off is Pork Chops with an Apple Tart Topping, in which a chunky apple sauce is smoothed onto the pork shops, and thinly sliced apples are arranged like an apple tart.
[6]Genius!
[7]A Bacon, Potato and Gruyere Frittata looks good for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner – my kind of all-occasion dish.
[8]His Irish Stew Broth may grace my table for St. Patrick’s Day.
[9]How good and simple does that look?
[10]And Cherry Tomato Soup is in my folder set for the summer glut of Sweet 100s that I expect from my garden.
[11]But wait, a Bailey’s Crème Brulee? I am all in. I even have a little torch I could dig out of the cabinet and fill with propane, to caramelize the top.
How many cookbooks do YOU have?
[12]Mine are in a tall bookshelf in the kitchen…
[13]…in a next-door bookshelf, also in the kitchen…
[14]…in an overflow shelf in the office…
…and pretty much everywhere!
I sent a book to Tara of Tara’s Multicultural Table. Called “The Adobe Road Cookbook: A Filipino Food Journey – From Food Blog, to Food Truck, and Beyond,” by Marvin Gapultos, it seemed right up her adventurous alley, especially since her husband is Filipino.
[15]Here are all of the bloggers who participated in the Cookbook Swap:
A Baker’s House [16]
An Edible Mosaic [17]
avocado bravado [18]
Blue Kale Road [19]
Blueberries And Blessings [20]
Cheap Recipe Blog [21]
Confessions of a Culinary Diva [22]
Create Amazing Meals [23]
Cucina Kristina [24]
Culinary Adventures with Camilla [25]
Cupcake Project [26]
Dinner is Served 1972 [27]
Done With Corn [28]
Eats Well With Others [29]
Everyday Maven [30]
Flour Me With Love [31]
From My Sweet Heart [32]
girlichef [33]
Great Food 360° [34]
Healthy. Delicious. [35]
I’m Gonna Cook That! [36]
Je Mange la Ville [37]
Karen’s Kitchen Stories [38]
Kitchen Treaty [39]
Olive and Herb [40]
OnTheMove-In The Galley [41]
Our Best Bites [42]
Paleo Gone Sassy [43]
poet in the pantry [44]
Rhubarb and Honey [45]
Rocky Mountain Cooking [46]
Shikha la mode [47]
Shockingly Delicious [48]
Sifting Focus [49]
Spiceroots [50]
Spoonful of Flavor [51]
Tara’s Multicultural Table [52]
The Not So Exciting Adventures of a Dabbler [53]
The Suburban Soapbox [54]
The Whole Family’s Food [55]
Please visit them to see all the books we swapped and delicious recipes we found!