Heather Burton: “Although I have tons of cookbooks, my favorite place to find recipes these days is the website: www.allrecipes.com . You can search for recipes by category, create your own online recipe box, join the community or even purchase a paper version of their favorite and most popular recipes. I have found countless fabulous recipes on this website.”
Kim Root: “My favorite cookbook is the Junior League of Springfield’s Honest to Goodness Cookbook. It’s beautifully done and is the perfect gift for newcomers and for out of town family and friends. If this is missing from your collection, it’s well worth a look, particularly in honor of Abe’s Bicentennial. “Honest to Goodness” has been a top seller for several years and is sold locally at Barnes & Noble or you can order from JLS. My favorite recipes include: Gooey Butter Cake, Poppyseed Bread, Bates Avenue Chicken, New Salem Corn Casserole and the Egg Sausage Brunch (uses cream and a dozen eggs!).” Barnes & Noble always has it!
Nikki Arends: “There are a couple of cookbooks I pull out on a weekly basis. One is The Six O’clock Scramble by Aviva Goldfarb; published by St. Martins Griffin. I like this one because it gives you 5 recipes and one side dish for each day of the week. It also provides a shopping list and organizes the recipes into Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. The Thai Basil Chicken recipe is one of our favorites and like all the recipes in the book, it is very quick and easy. For healthy snacks, I turn to Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld; published by Collins. All of the recipes in this book are healthy and include pureed veggies hidden within. The recipes do require preparation time, but my kids and husband love the chocolate chip cookies. Unfortunately I have not had great success with the chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese (kid favorites) but I know others who have. I also use Westminster Co-op Preschool 35th Anniversary Cookbook for some dinner recipes as well as salads, breads and Smelly Playdough.”
Lori Reardon: “How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman, published by Macmillan USA. The title says it all! I reach for this cookbook time and again, whether for a special recipe for entertaining, a weekday dinner or how to bone a chicken breast (the book’s spine permanently opens to this page!). The recipes are very approachable, and Bittman often gives several versions of a preparation (eg, Provencal chicken can become Arroz con Pollo by changing a few ingredients). He injects instruction and storytelling into many of the recipes, which makes for interesting reading, and I can always pick it up and learn something new. This cookbook has helped me to be a more creative cook, and I’ve given it as a gift countless times – it’s a classic.”
Andrea Hanney: “Kraft Food & Family is by far one of my favorite cookbook/magazines. Easy recipes, easy to find ingredients, and a money saver. The magazine is free to register for on their website www.kraftfoods.com . Although I believe they are changing to an all digital version online. I use their website constantly. I can type in an ingredient that I might already have at home and it will give me tons of recipes to pick from with the ingredient in it.”
Kelly Kindred: “I am working with two kids. The cookbook or I should probably say magazine that I can’t do without is the Kraft Food & Family magazine. It comes 4 times a year and has great but quick recipes. A lot of the recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less. The magazine also provides a nutritional breakdown for each meal and gives a peek at new products. Oh, and it always had coupons inside for the items you commonly use. I couldn’t do without it!”
Allison Klint: “Fruits of Our Blessings Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Cookbook Publishers Inc. or Karen Himmel 19709 N. C. 2670E Forest City, IL 61532. I received this cookbook from a friend a while back so I don’t know if you can still get it. But it is still my fav!”
Carrie Sluga: “Biggest Book of Slow Cooker Recipes (Better Homes & Gardens, 2002.) I just love it. The recipes use easy simple ingredients that I usually have around anyways. And what busy mom doesn’t love their crock pot?!”
Amy McFadden: “I LOVE all the Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks (esp. Christmas Pantry); have been collecting them over the years (you can buy at Cracker Barrel, Hallmark and JoAnn Fabric, I think). They have other cute ideas (I like to actually READ them) in addition to different and easy recipes.”
Eileen Higgs Parn:”The Busy Family Cookbook ” I got for Christmas has fast become a favorite. Each category (like chicken, beef, etc.) is split into 10, 20 and 30 minute prep time options. I take a look at the week ahead and choose recipes with varying prep times based on whether we are home for the evening or running in and out to Scouts, basketball, music lessons, Parent Club meetings……”
Lisa Whelpley: “Joy of Cooking. I use the 1997 version. There are some great recipes in every section of this book, but I keep it around because it gives you instructions for preparing any fruit or vegetable I’ve come across. Not sure what to do with a pomegranite? Not sure the best way to serve yucca root? Joy of Cooking explains it!”
Christina Robinson-Race: “My favorite cookbook is Paula Deen Celebrates! Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 10, 2006). I grew up in the south eating southern foods and these recipes remind me of the foods my grandfather would cook for us growing up. Every time I miss him, I can make any of her dishes and feel just a little of that connection that I miss so much!”
Michelle Tungett: Rachael Ray: I’ll admit I am not the mom you will find cooking meals every night, but I do love resources that help me strive to do so! Rachael Ray’s magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray is a nice addition to your cookbook collection and overall magazine stash. My favorite feature is the Menu Planner with a week’s worth of recipes and a ready-made shopping list. I also like the Kids section and Celebrity Fridge feature. Rachael doesn’t leave out our four-legged children; the Pet cuisine section is unique. You can sign up for her free e-newsletter at www.rachaelraymag.com, which includes recipes and highlights from the magazine.
Where do I find the “food by the fork full” cook book? I heard it advertised on the radio, but can’t find anything here. Please help. Thank you,