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Sarah McLoughlin
August 13, 2023

I Tried It So You Don’t Have To

From My Kitchen to Yours: Tried, Tested, and Tempting Cookbooks!

I love when you all send in suggestions for cookbooks I need to test. Molly Yeh’s cookbook was not just a fantastic read but chock full of fantastic recipes.

Her stories made me feel like we could easily be fast friends!I always start by reading a cookbook cover to cover to get a sense for the author and the variety of recipes they have. Then I close the cookbook and my eyes. I know what you’re thinking, it’s not crazy! It helps me to be completely unbiased in choosing a recipe to select. I open to any page and commit to rereading the recipe and making it. I source all the exact ingredients and follow the instructions step by step.

This allows me to decide, does this cookbook deserve to be on my cookbook shelf.

My method may seem crazy but it helps me to sort out the cookbooks that aren’t worth rolling the dice on.

Try these 3 cookbooks if…..

you’re looking for cheap & easy recipes. 

This is a judgment free zone 🚫 and sometimes we all need it!

Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Weeknight Wonders: 139 Easy Fast Fix Dishes By Sandra Lee

All of her ingredients are easily found at any supermarket and you probably already have most of them in your pantry! Simple instructions make this cookbook the perfect go to when you’re in a pinch.

Linda Skeens Blue Ribbon Kitchen: Recipes & Tips from America’s Favorite Country Fair Champion By Linda Skee

Linda has won me over with the beautiful stories of her family and hometown that are woven through her recipes. The ingredients she uses are easy to find and instructions are straight to the point.

Straightforward family favorites that will have everyone asking for seconds. Most recipes take just a few minutes to make and require easy to find grocery staples. My family is obsessed with his one skillet tortellini recipe.

Pick a state, bake the pie

50 pies, 50 states: An Immigrant’s Love Letter to the United States Through Pie

Stacey Mei Yan Fong

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Story: Tons of personal stories make you feel connected to the author and her food!

Photos: Every recipe is coupled with a stunning image of the food.

Recipes: Every recipe had detailed instructions on how to prepare the food. There is also a section dedicated to more thorough learnings on pie making techniques.

Ingredients: Clearly listed ingredient lists and everything can be found at your local supermarket.

Category: Pies, Baking

One of the most unique cookbooks I’ve read! Divided by states, each recipe is a pie that represents the author’s story or memory from that state. Some pies are classics, others have a unique twist that will make you read the recipe twice. I made the crab pie and was blown away by the flavor.