Every summer, I choose two or three recipe goals for myself. They’re usually the perfect recipe for gatherings, and I’ll have them perfected by the end of summer. Last summer, it was grilled pizza and Amy Chaplin black sesame bread. I made it so often that I didn’t even need to look up the recipe anymore. By August, they had become my new signature dish. My summer mood board this year is all about long, lazy lunches on the coast of Spain, so my cooking plans will follow suit. Whole branzino stuffed with lemon and herbs and linguine with fresh tomatoes and clams.
For me, my new recipe goals always start with a Sunday afternoon spent on the couch with a good playlist and a stack of my go-to, ride-or-die cookbooks. These are the ear-marked, marinara-splattered, lovingly worn books that I reach for again and again. These books have inspired and guided my own approach to cooking, teaching me new flavor combinations, kitchen shortcuts, and ways to make even cabbage truly delicious. It’s time to officially share the cookbook that I actually cook all the time. However, there is only one condition. Please leave a comment and let me know your comments.
Gelina
Oh, Jelina, your dining room has been the setting for more memorable dinners than anywhere else, and your cookbook has provided endless inspiration for creating my own recipes. I could spend an entire article talking about my love for Gelina, but let’s just say this is one of the best cookbooks I turn to when I don’t know what to make. After spending a few minutes flipping through her pages, I exclaimed, “How about a little gem salad with persimmons…and maybe I’ll make cioppino eventually!” Or excitedly grabbing flour for pizza dough.
Most popular recipes: Spinach, feta cheese and garlic confit pizza—In fact, this inspired my own version. Spinach and ricotta pizza with garlic olive oil.
every day is saturday
As the name suggests, this book will make you want to live every day like a weekend. Really, what more could you ask for in a cookbook? Sarah Copeland has created a rare book that literally has every recipe you want to make within its pages, from chocolate snack breads to Moroccan tomato toast to braised short rib dinners. It’s all sacred and meant to be shared with loved ones.
Most popular recipes: Easier than pie, warm apple tarts are beautifully simple and so satisfying to take out of the oven.
six seasons
Joshua McFadden, chef of popular Portland restaurants Ava Jeans, Chicoria, and Tusk, came to our studio a few years ago when his cookbook was no longer published. I’ll never forget the “Chinese” beef and broccoli he made for us. One bite convinced me. This guy knows how to use vegetables. For me, his cookbook sparked an obsession with pickles and an excitement to try out humble vegetables that I might have previously overlooked. Turnips, cabbage, and kohlrabi each have their own chapters, filled with delicious ideas for using them. My CSA box has never been the same.
Most popular recipes: Grilled eggplant, tomatoes, torn croutons and plenty of herbs
colonIAna
If you’ve seen our interview with author Mariana Velasquez, this won’t come as a surprise. Her cookbook is just as enthusiastic as she is and makes you want to crank it up. her playlistswipe on some red lipstick and start cooking. This is one of the best cookbooks when you’re craving flavors and cultural traditions that give you the adventure of cooking your own way. If you’re feeling bored with life, I have an antidote. Buy this cookbook, open a random page, and dive in.
Most popular recipes: Bogotanian Ajiaco: Potato soup with corn, chicken and capers
dining in
My mom gave me this cookbook in 2017 (she always writes a date note on the inside of the cover, a tradition I love). Since then, I have been cooking while reading this cookbook. This cookbook is one that I often read out on special occasions. Not because it’s complex (it’s not), but because Allison manages to create flavor combinations that feel unexpected and special. She’s not afraid of butter or cream either. Let’s be honest, sometimes date night just calls for a pot of bucatini with roasted tomatoes in 1 1/2 cups of olive oil (really). But in reality, Alison’s recipes strike the perfect balance between interesting and truly insanely delicious.
Most popular recipes: Shortbread with salted butter and chocolate chunks—They are legendary. I once had drinks with Alison in New York and, no joke, she sent me home with a bag of baked goods that day. Of course, I ate them all in the taxi ride home and still dream about it.
daily whole food cooking
If your body needs a reset, this is one of the best cookbooks. A Saturday morning of soaking beans, pickling carrots, making the aforementioned black sesame bread, and having it on hand for your week of clean eating is sure to inspire you. This is the bible of healthy meal preparation. I interviewed Amy when this book was published. Since then, she has become my unwitting mentor for healthy, vegetarian recipes that always make me feel great.
Most popular recipes: Rosemary butternut squash soup with roasted hazelnut milk (Scroll to the bottom of the post for the recipe)
Canel et Vanille
Everything about this book amazes me, from the stunning photography by the versatile author Alain Goyoaga to the description of the vanilla and cinnamon-scented arroz con leche from his childhood in the Basque Country. Everything in this book is simple yet incredibly thoughtful, allowing each ingredient to serve its purpose and shine in all its beauty. This is how I like to cook every day, and it also helps remind me to slow down and savor the process. Our team traveled to Seattle to photograph Alan’s kitchen. How to collect The series’ magic was equally evident in person. PS—This is definitely one of the best cookbooks for dietary restrictions, as everything is gluten-free and many are dairy-free as well.
Most popular recipes: Chocolate, olive oil and citrus cake.
Some more of the best cookbooks of all time
Here are some other popular cookbooks that are literally bound to be on your shelf.
This post was last updated on June 24, 2026 with new insights.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
