The cookbook section has to be one of the best sections in any bookstore: full-to-brimming with the promise of delicious meals, exciting new recipes to add to the forever rotation, and tips to make even the most daunting dish more doable. To whet your appetite, some of the booksellers at Powell’s on Hawthorne put some of their favorite cookbooks to the test. They made pies and dough, cupcakes and miso cod, cake and soup. Check out their creations, and their recommendations, below.
The Joy of Cooking
by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker, John Becker, & Megan Scott
Apple Pie (pg. 670)
This book gave me my first perfect pie crust. So flaky and delicious, I'm now a better pie maker than my mother. I added a few quinces and that put it over the top. —
Julia K.
Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread (pg. 599)
It’s delicious, but probably would have risen better if I hadn’t put it in the fridge for the second proof and then gotten impatient for them to warm up before baking (oops). —
Julia K.
Baking: From My Home to Yours
by Dorie Greenspan
French Yogurt Cake (pg. 224–225)
This French yogurt cake is so easy; I couldn't believe it turned out so well. Blueberries and thyme were a great combination, but I can't wait to try strawberries and basil, rhubarb and tarragon, cherries and cocoa nibs — so many possibilities! Dorie Greenspan's recipes are always flawless. — Julia K.
Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World
by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Chocolate Mint Cupcakes (pg. 73)
The most amazing vegan cookbook out there IMHO (also according to my sister-in-law.) Full disclosure: I'm not vegan but my daughter is, and she is the chef here. — Anne R.
The Elements of Pizza
by Ken Forkish
24–48 hour pizza dough (pg. 118) and the Basic tomato sauce (pg. 145)
Scared of dough? This recipe is super easy and forgiving — all you need is time! The sauce comes together in seconds; the crust bubbled and crisped up with no soggy bottoms. Pizza is a weekly meal now! — Lesley A.
In 2016, Ken Forkish put a playlist together for Powell's Blog to celebrate the release of The Elements of Pizza.
The Spirited Kitchen
by Carmen Spagnola
Stout Onion Soup (pg. 130)
I was so excited to try out a recipe from this folk-infused resource of recipes (with craft activities and historical pagan traditions to boot). This stout onion soup turned out so thick and flavorful for a winter meal! — Hana H.
JapanEasy
by Tim Anderson
Sweet Miso-Grilled Cod (pg. 107)
After over a decade of being a vegetarian, I have started to include fish back in my diet. Since I became a vegetarian as a child, I have never cooked fish. This book was so easy to understand that it made that task less daunting. I know it looks a little over-cooked, but I promise it was not. It was delicious. — Sydney W.
The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook
by Dina Bucholz
Sugar Mice (pg. 224)
I highly recommend this cookbook and specifically this recipe for those stuck inside with kids. Although I don’t have any children, making the little mice was so much fun and brought out my inner child. I made them while watching Christmas movies and had a wonderful time. I wanted to make them a little more petite so I made mine extra tiny. They are so cute and were a big hit among my coworkers. — Sydney W.
For more cookbook recommendations, check out
10 Time-Saving Cookbooks and
5 Cookbooks That Will Up Your Grill Game This Summer.