20 important cookbooks you will use all the time

The Joy Of Cooking

One of the best known and most used cookbooks ever, The Joy of Cooking was originally self-published by Irma Rombauer in 1931 who collected recipes from her friends. Many editions later—and a few added chapters later—and the collection still stands as a staple for any home cook.


CL readers love this one too!
"Some go in and out of style, but over the years the one I will always refer to (and that I can find just about everything in and certainly the basics) is The Joy of Cooking." - Barbara Lort Genner 

Canadian Living The Ultimate Cookbook

We may be a bit biased, but our Ultimate Cookbook has some of the tastiest and successful recipes from our own Canadian Living Test Kitchen. It includes the very best recipes from our archives and is truly influenced by our readers and what they want to cook and eat.

You love our cookbooks!
"It's my cooking bible. Many of my favourites I know by heart. The binding has come apart of there are splashes on many pages, but I will not part with it." - Leann King
 

Cook's Illustrated Cookbook

Including more than 2,000 recipes, Cook's Illustrated Cookbook includes tried and true recipes ranging from pie dough to poached salmon and covering everything in between. The addition of hand-drawn illustrations and kitchen tips make this book a must-have reference.

The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

Consider this your primer guide to vegetarian cooking. Deborah Madison's book shares simple recipes with information on vegetarian and vegan ingredients to round out your pantry go-tos. 

Plenty

Yotam Ottolenghi's Plenty taken the London chef's best vegetarian recipes and shares it with readers looking for exciting new ways to cook vegetables. Expect to find a wide range of styles and cultures represented and beautiful food photography.

5 Ingredients

Jamie Oliver has made a name for himself by offering simple and healthy food and recipes to home cooks everywhere. His 5 Ingredients is no different, offering recipes that feature only 5 ingredients (as the title suggests) and that can be prepared quickly.

Betty Crocker's Cookbook

Betty Crocker's Cookbook has gone through a few transformations since it's release, but it's still a great resource for reliable recipes with easy-to-follow steps.

Picked by CL readers!
"I have taped the pages we use most often on the inside of the kitchen cabinets." - Karen Loftus Bennett

Maida Heatter's Book of Great Cookies

It wouldn't be a complete list without talking about dessert! This cookie go-to is from Maida Heatter who is a two-time James Beard Award winner. Recipes for biscotti, bar cookies, drop cookies and so much more make this the only cookie cookbook you need.

How To Cook Everything

The award-winning How To Cook Everything focuses on simple recipes for home cooks and includes straightforward instructions and crowd-pleasing recipes. 

Nellie Lyle Pattinson's Canadian Cook Book

Published in 1977, this book is usually only found second hand! But it's a classic that Canadian Living readers love, so we had to include it.

Picked by CL readers!
"The cover is broken, it has food stains all over it, but it's still my most used." - Carolyn Reinhart

Canadian Living The International Collection

These recipes bring global flavour right to your kitchen—without ditching simple ingredients and effective instructions. The result? Simple and delicious food that will transport you wherever you want to go.

Momofuku

David Chang's award-winning restaurants by the same name are sensational spots to hit up whenever you're in New York City, Toronto of Sydney. But, just in case you can't get to the restaurants, you can attempt Chang's bold, flavourful recipes at home with this recipe guide.

Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking

Lovers of Italian food (that's everybody right?) need to get their hands on Marcella Hazan's Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. It's a great guide for cooks who want to master the cuisine or improve their Italian recipe repertoire. 

Tartine Bread

From seasoned bread baker, Chad Robertson, comes this book of bread which includes photographs and recipes and well as tips from Robertson's experience and experimentation. Robertson is also the first baker and cookbook author to create a fool-proof, natural sourdough starter recipe (which doesn't require kneading) for the every day baker.

Baking Illustrated

Best not to wing it when it comes to baking. Instead, pick up this comprehensive guide to all things baked. Find recipes for pies, bread, cookies, cakes, pastries and more.

Edna Staebler Food That Really Schmecks

This best seller actually focuses on Mennonite cooking and was originally published in 1968. Staebler, who moved in with a Mennonite family to learn about the culture and cuisine, shares her stories and anecdotes of the experience, alongside classic recipes.

Five Roses Cook Book

Probably the oldest book on our list (the original was a bestseller in 1915), the Five Roses Cook Book is an incredibly popular Canadian book that's almost everyone has heard of.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking has been a best seller for over 50 years, and truly has something for everyone. Classic French cuisine and the recipes that make up the backbone of French cooking is the focus here, with expert advice and instructions making it easy to learn.

Oh She Glows Every Day

This 2016 update to Angela Liddon's Oh She Glows is packed with simple and delicious vegan recipes that are perfect for people on the go. She also includes recipes for holidays and celebrations and veggie and healthy twists everyday day favourites like burgers, bolognese and brownies.

The Complete Canadian Living Baking Book

Consider this your go-to Canadian baking book that is really geared towards home bakers that love look for timeless and dependable recipes. It also includes a guide for what any home baker should have on hand, as well as the beautiful photography you've come to expect from Canadian Living.