Every summer, I choose 2 or 3 recipe goals—usually, recipes that are perfect for get-togethers, and by the end of the summer, I’ve perfected them. Last summer, it was my grilled pizza and Amy Chaplin’s Black Sesame Bread—I made them so often that I didn’t even need to look up the recipe. In August, they would become my new signature dishes. This year, my summer weatherboard is all about long, lazy lunches on the Spanish coast, so my cooking plans are next: whole branzino with lemon and herbs, and linguine with tomatoes and fresh clams.
For me, any new recipe goal always begins on a Sunday afternoon spent on the couch with a good playlist and a stack of my best go-to, ride-or-die cookbooks—these ear-tagged, sprinkled, lovingly worn books that I reach for often—those that have inspired and guided my own cooking, revealing, even revealing new recipes. freaking delicious. It’s official time to share the cookbooks I cook all the time. But only on one condition: leave a comment and let me know yours!
Gjelina
Oh, Gjelina, your dining room has been the scene of more memorable dinners than any other place for me, and your cookbook has inspired my recipe creation forever. I could use an entire article on my love for Gjelina, but let’s just say this is one of the best cookbooks I turn to when I don’t know what to do. A few minutes spent flipping through her pages has me exclaiming, “How about a Precious Little Salad with Persimmons… and maybe I’ll finally make a Cioppino!” or happily grabbing pizza dough flour.
The most popular recipe: Pizza with Spinach, Feta, and Garlic Confit– actually inspired my version here: Spinach and Ricotta Pizza with Garlicky Olive Oil.
Every day is Saturday
As the name suggests, this book makes me want to live every day like it’s the weekend. And really, what more could you ask for in a cookbook? Sarah Copeland has created that extraordinary book where I want to make literally every single recipe within its pages, from Chocolate Snacking Loaf to Moroccan Tomato Toast to Braised Short Rib Supper. Everything is divine and meant to be shared with your loved ones.
The most popular recipe: Easy-Than-Pie Warm Apple Tart is beautiful, simple, and very satisfying right out of the oven.
Six seasons
Joshua McFadden, chef at popular Portland restaurants Ava Gene’s, Cicoria, and Tusk, visited our studio when his cookbook dropped a few years ago, and I’ll never forget the “Chinese Beef” and Broccoli he served us that convinced me with one bite: this guy knows his way around vegetables. For me, her cookbook inspired me to make food choices and the excitement of trying humble vegetables that I might have overlooked: spinach, cabbage, and kohlrabi each get their own chapters full of delicious ideas for using them. My CSA box has never been the same.
The most popular recipe: Grilled Eggplant With Tomatoes, Croutons, and Lots of Herbs
Columbusiana
If you caught our interview with author Mariana Velásquez, this shouldn’t come as a surprise: her cookbook is as fun as she gets—it makes me want to crank up her playlist, slap on some red lip, and get cooking. This is one of the best cookbooks when I crave the flavors and traditions of a culture in a way that makes me feel lucky, to cook through it. If you’re feeling lonely in life, I have a solution: buy this cookbook, turn to a random page, and dive in.
The most popular recipe: Bogotánian Ajiáco: Potato Soup with Corn, Chicken & Capers
Eating inside
My mom gave me this cookbook in 2017 (I know, because she always writes a dated note inside the cover, a tradition I love)—and I’ve been cooking my way ever since. This is a cookbook I often pull out for special occasions—not because it’s complicated (it’s not), but because Alison knows how to create unexpected flavor combinations that feel special. And he’s not afraid of butter and cream—and let’s be honest, sometimes a date night just calls for a pot of bucatini and roasted tomatoes in 1 1/2 cups of olive oil (really). But really, Alison’s recipes strike the perfect balance between interesting and just plain delicious.
The most popular recipe: Salted Butter and Chocolate Chunk Shortbread-they are a myth. I once had a drink with Alison in New York, and no joke, she sent me home with a bagel she had baked earlier that day. Of course, I finished them all on the trip home and I still dream about it to this day.
Cooking Perfect Meals Every Day
If your body is craving a reset, this is one of the best cookbooks to turn to. It never fails to inspire a Saturday morning spent soaking beans, picking carrots, and making the aforementioned Sesame Bread for a week of clean eating. This is the bible of healthy eating, y’all. I interviewed Amy when the book came out, and since then, she’s been my go-to mentor for healthy, vegetarian recipes that always make you feel amazing.
The most popular recipe: Rosemary Butternut Squash Soup with Roasted Hazelnut Milk (scroll to the bottom of the post for the recipe)
Cinnamon and Vanilla
Everything about this book makes me swoon, from the stunning photography (by the multi-talented author, Aran Goyoaga) to the descriptions of vanilla and cinnamon-scented arroz con leche from his childhood in the Basque Country. Everything in this book sounds simple but is incredibly thoughtful—each ingredient serves its purpose and is allowed to shine in all its beauty. It’s the way I would like to cook every day, and it serves as a reminder to slow down and enjoy the process. Our team traveled to Seattle to photograph Aran in his kitchen for us How do I collect chain, and the magic was easily visible to the person. PS—This is definitely one of the best cookbooks for dietary restrictions, as everything is gluten-free and many are dairy-free.
The most popular recipe: Chocolate, Olive Oil, and Citrus Cake.
Some of the Best Cookbooks of All Time
Here are some of the most popular cookbooks that should be on your shelves.
This post was last updated on June 24, 2026, to include new information.
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