I have a love affair with cookbooks. Cooking is therapy for me. Time in the kitchen with the flavors, aromas, and the discovery of ingenious combinations lights me on fire, no pun intended. Here is a round-up of my most adored cookbooks to date to bring you some fresh inspo for your kitchen.

#1 Dude Diet by Serena Wolf

Serena Wolf is one of my favorite chefs! I once took a cooking class with her. She was kind and humorous, and her cooking knowledge was impressive. This cookbook makes eating clean easy by making more nutritious add-ins or swaps. Dude Diet is a collection of recipes that have taken beloved classics like lasagna or Chinese take-out and put a healthier spin on them.

#2 Just Eat by Jessie James DECKER

This cookbook screams home-cooked meals and nostalgia. Jessie’s recipes are cozy and comforting. What I love most is that most recipes are easy, fast, and budget-friendly, and you can find the ingredients you need at any store. We make at least one recipe weekly from this cookbook because it is that good, straightforward, and family-friendly.

#3 Nourish by Gisele Bündchen

This is not just a cookbook; it’s a lifestyle. Gisele discusses her journey with food, her daily routines and rituals, and how she takes care of her mind, body, and soul. This cookbook is mindfulness meets food, and that is up my alley! She gives many meal prep ideas and simple swaps to tailor meals to your liking or for your kiddos, which is a win in my book.

#4 I Love You by Pamela Anderson

This is my newest cookbook, and I chose this one out of all the cookbooks I own and could have shared. When I received my copy, it blew me away. First of all, the book and photography are stunning. It has lines of wisdom scattered throughout it, and I think it is a must in any cookbook collection. I Love You is full of plant-based recipes, and plenty could be accompanied by lean protein if you wish. I’m not a big meat eater, so I felt so happy to have many meals to look forward to. This cookbook is like a forest fairy tale with a whole picnic spread, tea time goodies, natural beauty DIY potions, and even doggy treats!

#5 Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat

This cookbook teaches the fundamentals of cooking with salt, fat, acid, and heat—a shocker, I know. Each section explains the techniques for each category and follows with recipes to try out what you learn. I like to call this cookbook my college textbook because it’s filled with knowledge. It doesn’t hurt that the illustrations in the book are playful yet practical. I highly recommend this one to advance your kitchen skill set.

What are your top five cookbooks?

Please share in the comments below! ☺️