8 Recommended Cookbooks on Amazon That’ll Help You Say Goodbye to Boring Recipes

The earliest known written recipes have been found as long ago as 1730 B.C. So even back then, people were saving great recipes to create (and recreate) the perfect meal.

Cooking techniques have changed significantly throughout the years, but recipe books will always be useful. They increase your ability to make and save recipes, making cooking more enjoyable for everyone. Here are 8 cookbooks that will help you add a bit of spice to your kitchen routine.

1. Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen by Snoop Dogg. Make cocktails, dishes, and even cakes based on recipes from the famous recording artist.

It’s not just a recipe book, it’s full of life stories and pictures from behind the scenes. And the recipes are surprising in their flavor and simplicity. Snoop Dogg has collected his most colorful and favorite recipes in this book.

• It turns out that an old dog can be taught new tricks... Who would have guessed that Snoop Dogg would release such a brilliant cookbook? The recipes are surprisingly accessible, with no great fancy ingredients that we can’t get this side of the pond or that can’t be easily substituted. So far, I have made his crisp-coated chicken wings, which are to die for, and his peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies, which are, yep, you guessed it, to die for! Next on my hit list are his chocolate cake and his pork chops with garlic sweet potato mash.
  If you told me a month ago that I would have Snoop Dogg’s cookbook in my collection, I would have laughed in your face. Now I would pick it over Mary Berry, Jaime Oliver, etc. any day of the week. A fantastic introduction to American-style cooking that I highly recommend. @Nicci

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2. One: Simple One-Pan Wonders by Jamie Oliver. Simple, delicious recipes with minimal cleaning up.

Jamie Oliver is a campaigning and culinary icon around the world. He has sold over 46 million books globally over his 20-year career in television and publishing. His estimated global TV audience reach is 67 million in 182 territories. Jamie has influenced millions of people to love creating wonderful, fresh meals from scratch as a result.

In One, he will walk you through more than 120 recipes for delectable, hassle-free, and filling meals prepared using just one pan. What’s even great is that each dish calls for only 8 ingredients (or fewer), which means minimal preparation (and clean up) and maximum ease.

• Loads of lovely easy recipes. Worth buying as there are loads of recipes, and they are cooked in one pan, which is great with the price increase in gas and electricity. It saves on washing up as well. I like that there are tips for swapping meat for vegetables at the end of the recipe. I’ve made the vegetarian chili, which I actually prefer to the meat one I usually make. I’ll be trying a lot of these recipes because they’re easy and use ingredients that are easy to find. @Anna

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3. Ottolenghi: The Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi. Stylish cookbook that contains numerous cooking traditions.

Ottolenghi’s groundbreaking classic cookbook, which defined modern culinary style by utilizing inventive flavors and ingredients, has been updated with a modern look. An updated introduction puts new light on a book that has grown to be a favorite across the country.

• This is an exceptional cookbook. There are hundreds of cookbooks out there, and I certainly have my share of them: Nigella, Delia, Jamie, Nigel Slater, Ripailles (has anyone ever cooked anything from that book?! ), Sarah Raven, and so on. But once in a while, a book comes along that is amazing. I’ve bought most of my cookbooks from Amazon (thanks for making them affordable, dear Amazon), but rarely have I wanted to write a review. The recipes in this book work, and the tastes are extraordinary.
  My favorite at the moment is the squid, prawn, and fennel salad. The combination of flavors—I’d never used sumac before—is truly a magical mix — these guys understand the chemistry of food! Every recipe I’ve tried is fresh, delicious, different from anything I’ve made before, and impressive. I live miles from London and have never heard of the restaurant, so unlike some reviewers, I didn’t buy the book because I knew what to expect. Guess where I’ll be the next time I’m in town! I’m really looking forward to visiting! @J. Pritchard

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4. Modern Comfort: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten. Feed your deepest cravings with these 85 new recipes.

Ina Garten offers 85 brand-new recipes in Modern Comfort Food that will satisfy all of your cravings. Ina’s Creamy Tomato Bisque pairs perfectly with cheddar and chutney grilled cheese sandwiches, smashed hamburgers with caramelized onions, and the crispiest hash browns, which are actually prepared in a waffle iron. Many of these meals are inspired by childhood favorites.

• Awesome recipes. I own many cookbooks, but now I’ll need one more... I bought this one as a gift. I went through it before giving it away, and I made one dish the first night and another the next. Photos are beautiful, and recipes are relatively simple. No exotic ingredients or difficult, time-consuming techniques. Just simple, amazing food.
  The pea soup with kielbasa was outstanding and reminded me of my grandmother’s cooking. The chicken pot pie soup was incredible — it came together so quickly, and the flavor was phenomenal. I made the soup while roasting the chicken, and the whole thing was ready to eat in less than an hour. I ate some for dinner and gave some to a friend, who said, “How can anything be so delicious?” I’ll be buying another, so I can keep this one for myself because there are just too many recipes in this book that I need to try. @justme

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5. Ottolenghi FLAVOUR by Yotam Ottolenghi. The authors divulge the 3 factors you need in a dish to create flavor and offer innovative vegetable dish recipes.

Ottolenghi FLAVOUR mixes exceptional meals for the casual cook, easy weeknight recipes, and dishes that make a significant impact with little effort. FLAVOUR, is jam-packed with the author’s distinctively vibrant imagery, and it not only gives us ideas for what to prepare but also explains how and why the flavors are enhanced.

• Best cookbook I have ever owned. I am often not a review-writing kind of person, but this one deserves a real 5-star rating!
  I am very picky with cookbooks, and I get bored very easily with repeating tastes. I bought this book, and I was sure that I would change one or 2 things while making it. But the recipes are so accurate and are written with such a great knowledge of taste layers and a deep understanding of various things that work well with each other that I just follow each step exactly as it is written. And I don’t dare change the slightest bit! I can’t recommend it enough! @Amazon Customer

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6. Joshua Weissman: An Unapologetic Cookbook by Joshua Weissman. Find the beauty of cooking.

Bring your own flair to the cooking process. With irreverent humor, some playful jabs, and more than 100 incredibly delectable recipes, Joshua Weissman will demonstrate how to cook with no regrets, justifications, or excuses.

• Great book. I love this book! I first noticed Joshua through his cooking videos on Facebook, which I became obsessed with, so when I found out he had a book, I knew I needed it! I love that the book has such a variety of recipes that talk you through the basics and how you can make the most of what you eat.
  If you’re a beginner cook, this book really shows you the way around the kitchen, and if you’re a professional, it challenges you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! There’s something for everyone. @Jamie o

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7. Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Slow Cooker Book by Nathan Anthony. Find dishes that you can cook in your slow cooker while working on other things.

Satisfying, flavorful food has never been so simple and economical, calorie-counted, and ideal for anyone living a slimming lifestyle or according to a diet program.

• Easy and delicious recipes. Amazing book! After having it for only one week, I’ve already tried several recipes, all of which were easy to make and delicious. What’s great is that most ingredients can already be found in your cupboard.
  You’re cooking for 4–6 people rather than the 12 people that most slow cooker recipes seem to cater to. This is good for us because we won’t be eating the same meal for the next 3 days (we don’t have freezer space to store a lot). There’s also a lot of variety, and I particularly enjoy the Asian recipes. @Belinder

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8. The Stay at Home Chef Family Favorites Cookbook by Rachel Farnsworth. Fun, down-to-earth recipes.

This detailed cookbook will cover every meal for every occasion, from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. It includes traditional favorites like smothered pork chops and baked meatloaf, as well as less traditional favorites like lasagna-stuffed chicken and brown butter garlic angel hair pasta. Current fans and new followers alike will find everything they expect from one of YouTube’s most well-liked home cooks with recipes for main courses, salads, sides, breads, soups, and stews, as well as cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats.

• The only cookbook needed! I was lucky to stumble upon Rachel a while back, and trying her recipes has really boosted my cooking and baking confidence. I’m going through an extremely painful time, and this book is going to help me for years to come. Of course, I want to say thank you to Rachel for being generous and polite whilst going through a difficult time herself. @Amy

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What are your most favorite family recipes?

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