The humidity and heat of summer are far behind us and cooler, crisp weather is here. With it comes packing away the tank tops and shorts and breaking out the cardigans and jackets and all that comes with the season of autumn. As we are still in the throes of a pandemic, many people who are at home have tried to sharpen their cooking skills. Whether you're a total novice or an expert (self proclaimed, or not), let The New York Public Library be your resource in finding books that cater to the inner ‘Julia Child’ many of us want to unleash.  

Sweetie Pie’s Cookbook by Miss Robbie

If you are a fan of the OWN reality show, Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s, then you will LOVE this cookbook. Miss Robbie (the family matriarch/show protagonist/soul singer) has compiled a variety of recipes, some of which were featured in her show. The pound cake recipe is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

 

 

Bigger Bolder Baking by Gemma Stafford

If you follow her Facebook show and/or visit her website with the same name, Gemma Stafford is one of social media’s well known bakers. She has even popped up as a personality on the Food Network. Her cookbook is a vast compilation of recipes with appealing photography so you can see what the finished product can look like. The tiramisu, chocolate chip cookies, and jelly doughnut in a mug are recipes you have got to try!

 

 

Fix It With Food: More Than 125 recipes to Address Autoimmune Issues and Inflammation by Michael Symon

Michael Symon is known as one of the hosts of the defunct ABC show, The Chew. You may also know him from the Food Network's Iron Chefs, for his own show Symon's Dinners Cooking Out. What you may not know is he has rheumatoid arthritis and discoid lupus (which affects the skin) which are both autoimmune diseases. He wanted to modify his diet to reduce inflammation, thus lessening the symptoms from these diseases. Many of the recipes are chock full of colorful vegetables, whole grains, and, yes—you can even eat chocolate! It’s included in the book! The Rolled Spinach Omelet and Pumpkin Pies are personal favorites!

Aarti Paarti by Aarti Sequeira

Food Network Star Season Six winner (and frequent Guy's Grocery Games judge) Aarti Sequeira’s cookbook shares the name with her former show, Aarti Paarti. It provides an Asian spin on many readily recognizable recipes with her own personal touches. She provides interesting details on her life, her husband Brendan, and her family—interweaving those personal details into her recipes, which are categorized by group (Two Legs-Poultry, Four Legs- Meat, Dessert (A.K.A. My Happy Place, just to name a few).  You’ve got to make the Bombay Sloppy Joes, Real Deal Hummus and Kulfi Pops—they are AWESOME! 
 

Pull Up a Chair by Tiffani Thiessen

Most people know Tiffani Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski (Morris) from Saved By the Bell, Valerie Malone from Beverly Hills 90210, Elizabeth Burke from White Collar or more recently as Lori Mendoza of Alexa & Katie. What you may not know is she’s adept in the kitchen, too. Her Cooking Channel show, Dinner at Tiffani 's showcased her strengths in cooking and entertaining where celebrity friends like Mario Lopez, Seth Green and Lance Bass often dropped by to enjoy the fruits of her labor. Her cookbook is a compilation of some of those recipes from the show plus more. The Not Your Mama’s Turkey Meatloaf and Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes are highly recommended for family dinners.

Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day by Leanne Brown 

The direct title may give the impression that these recipes are subpar, but that’s not the case. This book is suitable for anyone on a budget who needs to stretch what’s in their pantry. Many of the recipes are plant- and vegetable-based, so they really provide bang for your buck. There are helpful tips on what to stock in your pantry, and you can add in other proteins and items to increase flavor and texture. 

 

From Crook to Cook by Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg...a.k.a. Snoop Doggy Dogg...a.k.a. Snoop Lion is best known as a hip/hop artist, and media personality. But now he is also known for his tight friendship with media maven and cookbook author Martha Stewart. It’s through this friendship that we find out that he can cook too. Who would have thought! The Faux-Tisserie Chicken with Vegetables are a great way to use leftover chicken (or swap with Thanksgiving Turkey). ‘Not Ya Mamma’s Corn Muffins’ are some of the best corn muffins ever—they are WAY better than the store mix many use.

Instant Pot Fast & Easy: 100 Simple and Delicious Recipes for Your Instant Pot by Urvashi Pitre

If you are new to the Instant Pot (or maybe you are well-versed in what it does), this book should be part of your arsenal. These devices can cook rice, slow cook, make yogurt, cook whole chickens and more. This book provides recipes that can get meals on the table quickly! Another additional bonus is the recipes include dietary considerations for those with special needs, such as food allergies, low carb, paleo and so forth. The chicken shwarma and timely holiday side of Southern Beans & Greens should be part of your dinner repertoire. 

These are just a few of the many cookbooks available within the New York Public Library. Why not take the opportunity to check out a physical or digital cookbook, and flex those culinary muscles in your kitchens?  

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Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!