FOUR COOKBOOKS TO ADD TO YOUR SHELF

The summer is my favorite time of the year to try out new recipes, especially during this season of motherhood when my oldest is so interested in learning how to cook. Normally, I would just love to throw some chicken or steaks on the grill and put together a loaded salad and call it a day, but lately, we’ve been trying out new recipes and finding new family favorites to add to the rotation once school starts and life gets a lot busier. I’m always on the hunt for new cookbooks with easy to follow recipes that my family will love, so I thought I’d share a few favorites I’m pulling dinners from lately!

I like to do my meal planning in the morning by the pool while the kids are swimming. It’s also relaxing to page through some of my favorite cookbooks that also happen to be about as aesthetically pleasing as they come. Not only have I found recipes to love, but I’ve also inadvertently been inspired by table settings and entertaining basics through some of the most gorgeously photographed tables and meal presentations (Mimi Thorisson’s cookbooks are about as beautiful as they come; her hubby , Oddur, is a photographer for Conde Nast). Here are a few beautiful cookbooks that are as helpful as they are beautiful:

OLD WORLD ITALIAN BY MIMI THORISSON I think I’ve made the most recipes out of this one cookbook! The baked meatballs, ricotta cheesecake, roasted pepper salad, eggplant parm, ragu bolognese and spaghetti alla carbonara are family favorites and the Prampolini (red wine with a splash of Campari and a splash of blood orange soda) has become one of our favorite aperitivos. Aside from the incredible recipes, this book is truly a feast for the eyes with some of the most spectacular food styling and views of the different regions of Italy. It’s one of my favorite gift ideas for the perpetual hostess or foodie. I can’t recommend this book enough.

A TABLE IN VENICE BY SKYE MCALPINE Of all McAlpine’s cookbooks, this one is my favorite. Venice is one of my favorite spots to visit in the whole world and this book is a testament to the beauty of the simple, hearty food found there. I love her baked polenta with melted gorgonzola, her variety of crostini recipes and chocolate and amaretto custard, to name a few.

ACQUACOTTA RECIPES AND STORIES FROM TUSCANY’S SECRET SILVER COAST BY EMIKO DAVIES Another beauty that’s chock full of simple, one-pot dishes that are as comforting as they are low maintenance, as well as the simplest appetizers like toast with tomato and anchovies, bread with wine and sugar and cannellini bean soup, as well as incredible desserts (looking at you, lemon ricotta cake and apple and jam cake). All of these are super simple to prepare and about as unfussy as it gets, which is right up my alley. LOVE this book.

HALF BAKED HARVEST EVERY DAY BY TIEGHAN GIRARD I got this book for Mother’s Day last year and immediately started cooking my way through it. I think my kids like the most meals out of this cookbook; we make Tieghan’s baked tacos every week, they’re THAT GOOD, but we also love her garlic butter brussels sprouts, parmesan chicken saltimbocca and her Mongolian beef.

What are some of your favorite cookbooks?