Mary-Jo's Favourite Recipes

I can't make a list of my favourite cookbooks without including my mother's recipe collection. It took her years to put together a binder she named "Mary-Jo's Favourite Recipes." I remember her sitting at her desk meticulously copying family recipes, her favourite recipes from classic books, and recipes shared with her from friends, family, and colleagues. There's probably over 1000 in there, but I'll always go back to the classics that remind me of her. Vanilla and chocolate icing, gingerbread cookies, her famous Thanksgiving stuffing, meatballs. This binder is one my favourite items of my mother's and I hope it stays in the family for generations to come.

Favourite Recipe: MJ's Turkey Stuffing

Jamie's Kitchen

Jamie's Kitchen was my very first cookbook. It was a birthday gift from my mom and I was so excited that I was in the kitchen the very next day creating dishes from this book. Jamie's Kitchen made me appreciate well written and tested, recipes. I've made almost all the recipes and all of them have worked out as planned. It helped build my confidence in the kitchen at an early age. Unfortunately, I can't say that for a lot of classic cookbooks out there. Too many times I've followed a recipe only for it to not work out, and for those who aren't versed in recipe development, the blame usually starts with the cook. This makes me so frustrated because 9 times out of 10, the recipe wasn't tested or proofread. My mantra is always there's no such thing as bad cooks, just bad recipes. And I can thank Jamie's Kitchen for making me realize the importance of a well written, and tested, recipe.

Favourite Recipe: The Proper French Side Salad

Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Mastering the Art of French Cooking is a classic, and a classic for a reason. Julia Child's attention to detail, her love of French cuisine, and passion for bringing it to an American audience is what makes this book one of my favourites. You can feel her love and patience for learning a new cuisine as you read through each recipe. Child's cookbook revolutionized the way American's cook and introduced an international approach to cooking decades before globalization, and the internet, were a thing. At first glance the recipes may look intimidating, but as you work through the book, Julia Child explains everything is such a way that makes you feel like you can conquer anything. Another reason why I love this cookbook is purely for aesthetic reasons. (I know - so shallow). I purchased my copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking from a used book store so it has the original hardcover and red quilted design on the front. It's the 13th edition so not exactly rare, but it's as heavy as brick, and I feel, that's just the sort of book Julia Child had in mind.

Favourite Recipe: Beef Bourguignon