5 Cookbook Ingredients Required for a Tasty Review
With all the books I receive, I read them front to back, take extensive notes, and then write a light-hearted, yet constructive review.
Cookbooks are different.
I can’t whip up every single recipe, nor can I read it front to back like a fictional tale; still, I run the book down my list of must-haves. Not wanting to be a biased reviewer, I reached out to culinary experts to see if they use the same process I do. What I found surprised me. I’m not far off from the industry professionals on what we agree upon.
The five ingredients that make a tasty cookbook review.
Great Recipes. “A cookbook belongs on my shelf if it makes cooking easy, fresh, and full of flavor. Shawna Clark, founder of a Healthy Foodie Girl. “I want recipes I can actually cook and love. In my opinion, a five-star cookbook delivers reliable, flavorful recipes with clear instructions and helpful tips, while showing the author’s expertise and personality.:
“For me, it’s all about the recipes!” says Katie Vine, Recipe Creator & Food Blogger, Owner of Dinners Done Quick. “If a cookbook will just sit there collecting dust while I ‘look’ at it, it’s not worth it. I want one that I reach for because I love the dishes in it, and I return to them time and time again, which solidifies their place in my kitchen!” She gives 5-star reviews to cookbooks with numerous recipes she’s tried, loved, and created on repeat. “It’s critical that the recipes actually turn out – meaning they were tested and created with heart,” says Katie. “Especially in the modern world of AI, there are so many fake things out there that I’ve learned to cherish and appreciate the real stuff.”
Author’s Story. A brief about the author, or a professional author’s bio, is typically included in every published book. However, cookbook readers often want more. Adding a childhood memory or a heartfelt reason for creating the book to the author’s story not only draws readers into the chef’s kitchen but also into their family and culinary world.
“My favorite cookbooks teach you the ‘why’ behind the recipes,” says Nicole Langdon, recipe developer, co-owner of The Candid Cooks. “I love reading the author’s story to learn more about their connection to food and their experiences that led them to write a cookbook.” Cooking at home is often an intimate experience, born of love for those you love (including yourself), so when the author shares poignant sentiments throughout, it adds that extra zing worthy of a chef’s kiss!
Inclusive Recipes. “I’m constantly borrowing cookbooks from my local library in search of recipes that are made without gluten and the top nine food allergens — which can be challenging to find in regular cookbooks,” says Kelly Costigan, Recipe Consultant, owner of Without Options LLC. “So, when I find one that’s packed with safe recipes (like Ottolenghi’s Simple), I immediately run out to get my own copy!” Kelly’s favorite cookbooks include flavorful recipes that everyone can enjoy. She likes to see generous cooking tips that also include mistakes to avoid when cooking a recipe for the first time. “These are the cookbooks that teach me how to be a better cook.”
Tasty Photos. “My favorite sections are usually the recipes (bonus points for pictures of said recipes),” says Katie. “That’s the ‘meat’ of the cookbook and what I’m there for when I grab the book. Sure, the backstory is inspiring, but I’m there for the tasty parts. Tips can certainly be appreciated, especially if it’s a complicated recipe or something I’m unfamiliar with. Still, I really just want to peruse those drool-worthy dishes and find my next dish to try!”
“I love the photos because they show me in a split second so much about the recipe that the words alone can’t,” says Carissa Erzen, food photographer & blogger, owner of Humbly Homemade. “I also love the snippets of stories and recipe inspiration from the author. These make it feel like I’m making a cherished recipe shared by a friend, and connection is such an essential part of my experience in the kitchen.”
Lasting Touches. Also important are layout, indexes, tabs, space for notes, hacks, shortcuts, simplicity, and, of course, author inspiration and feel-good recipes you’ll create repeatedly. These elements complete the list of what readers want in a cookbook. While one book can’t be everything to everybody, when it includes several of these key ingredients, it earns a five-star review from these culinary experts.
“In addition to author stories, I love tips, ingredient guides, and substitutions,” says Shawna. “They make a cookbook personal, practical, and inspiring.”
“I own a wide array of over 40 cookbooks,” says Carissa. “They all share a couple of things in common. I’m drawn to cookbooks that are equal parts inspiring and practical.” She appreciates well-tested recipes, as well as those that don’t require many specialty ingredients or tools. “As soon as I buy a new cookbook, I try to make at least three to five recipes from it. If all those recipes taste delicious, look good, and are easy to follow, the cookbook is off to a great start.” Clarissa believes a great cookbook is the one on her shelf, bookmarked with Post-it notes that she turns to time and again. “To me, the best cookbooks feel like the author is right next to me. They are cheering me on to make a last-minute weeknight dinner for my hungry family, or an aesthetic weekend bake that I can’t wait to post on IG.”
We all have beloved recipes and cookbooks that have been passed down through the generations. And every year, new ones fill the shelves of bookstores, ready to become a family tradition. But how do you know which ones to invest in?
As you can see from these culinary experts, it’s not just about the recipes. It’s so much more. At least five ingredients more. And like any bestselling book, a great cookbook should evoke emotions. When that happens, you know you’ve found one worthy of a five-star review!
Image Courtesy of Pexels
