Hey, you there. Yeah, I’m talking to you, the one who hates cooking. I get it: Looking for a recipe, finding the right ingredients, chopping up said ingredients and mixing them together seems like a whole load of faff when Deliveroo is merely a swipe away. But here’s what no one tells you: Cooking can be really soothing—a sort of active mindfulness if you will. (I’d wager jigsaws have the same effect.) Like most people, since lockdown began, I’ve spent a lot more time in the kitchen. I’ll spare you the list of meals I’ve cooked (although I have baked banana bread because of course I have), but I will say that having a good idea of what I’m going to cook for my evening meal has been a real joy.
And the easiest way to get inspiration for that evening’s menu? Some great recipe books. Now, I don’t own loads, but a few have been really helpful to give me ideas, even if I don’t have all the ingredients to hand. There is, however, one stipulation I have for these tomes: They have to look great. Yes, I know how ridiculous this sounds, but as William Morris said: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
I basically want all my cookbooks to look as good as a high-fashion coffee table tome but still offer me ways to create delicious food. I know—I don’t ask for much. The good news is there are plenty of books that cater to my tastes (I know!), so I’ve created an edit of the coolest-looking ones that you’ll love cooking from and then displaying in your home. Keep scrolling for my edit, and hopefully by the time you finish, you’ll be inspired.
