Readers' Favorite Cookbooks

Thanks to everyone who wrote to tell us about their favorite cookbooks. The submissions ranged from the venerable "Fanny Farmer Cookbook," to obscure titles such as those compiled by local cooks as fundraisers for clubs and schools. In the hands of the right cook, any cookbook will work, especially the well-loved ones with stains and tears and notes scribbled in the margin. Multiple submissions came for some books, such as "The Joy of Cooking," a staple of kitchens everywhere. Some of the titles are available in more recent editions at Amazon. For people searching for out-of-print books, those published only locally, or anyone seeking to replace an old friend that has gone lost, I suggest checking eBay, where nothing is lost forever. The following are those we have compiled so far: "The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion: The Essential Cookie Cookbook," by King Arthur Flour, Published by Countryman Press (November 9, 2004). "I find recipe books put out by food manufacturers are pretty much foolproof; they want you to buy their products, so they test them thoroughly." J.M., Oshawa, Ontario "The Microwave Bible," by Noreen Gilletz; Warner Books Inc., reprint edition (November, 1991). J.M., Oshawa, Ontario "Back of the Box Gourmet," and "More Back of the Box Gourmet," by Michael McLaughlin; Simon & Schuster. J.M., Oshawa, Ontario "Better than Store Bought," by Helen Witty and Elizabeth Schneider Goldie; Harper & Row, first edition (1979). J.M., Oshawa, Ontario "The Fannie Farmer Cookbook," by Marion Cunningham; Bantam, 13th edition (July 1, 1994). J.M., Oshawa, Ontario "The Purity Flour Cookbook," (1920s version), not easily available, but we found "The All New Purity Cookbook: A Complete Book of Canadian Cooking," Whitecap Books (February, 2001). J.M. Oshawa, Ontario "The Joy of Cooking," by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker; Scribner, revised edition (May 1, 1985). N.M., Port Hood, Nova Scotia "The All New, All Purpose Joy of Cooking," by Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker and Irma S. Rombauer; Scribner, revised edition (November 5, 1997). "No matter which edition one has, it will answer the most basic culinary questions as well as provide delicious recipes with clear instructions," B.B., Purgatory Point, Nova Scotia "Moosewood Cookbook," by Mollie Katzen. We found "The New Moosewood Cookbook," by Mollie Katzen; Ten Speed Press; revised edition (January, 2000). "...rather hippie dippie, but the recipes work," B.B., Purgatory Point, Nova Scotia "Kinder Kitchen Cookbook and More," revised edition for St. Martin's School and Community Playground fundraiser (1999). A.R., Saint John, New Brunswick "The Blue Ribbon Cookbook," (There are a number of books with this or a similar title available at Amazon). "...not a large book, but has everything you might ask about the basics of house-keeping, and well-explained," C.S., Bridgewater, Nova Scotia "Recipes for Young and Old," St. Peter's CWL. "...a very good and well-travelled cookbook," N.M., Port Hood, Nova Scotia "Delia Smith's Winter Collection," by Delia Smith; BBC Books (October, 1995). "I've not known a recipe of hers to fail," S.M., Waterville, Nova Scotia "The New James Beard," by James Beard; Wings, reprint edition (October 24, 1995). "Runner-up for special recipes," S.M., Waterville, Nova Scotia "A Taste of India," by Madhur Jaffrey; MacMillan Publishing Company, reprint edition (March, 1988). ...my bible for exotic foods for 20 years," S.M., Waterville, Nova Scotia "The Dairy Book of Home Cookery," British Milk Marketing Board, 1977. We were able to find "The Dairy Book of Home Cookery," by Sheelagh Donovan and Helen Mott; Published by Caxton Publishing (August, 1996). "...still one of my stand-bys for such favorites as shortbread or Victoria Sponge Cake," S.M., Waterville, Nova Scotia "Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens," by Marie Nightengale. "This genuine collection of Maritime recipes has all the sort of food I crave when I'm living abroad," L.C., Long Reach, New Brunswick "The Laura Secord Canadian Cookbook," by Laura Secord; Whitecap Books (October, 2001). "I need it for the oatmeal brown bread, thimble cookies, and gingerbread recipes," L.C., Long Reach, New Brunswick "English Food," by Jane Grigson; Penguin UK, fourth revised edition (June, 1999). "...impeccably researched, beautiful to read, and practical," L.C., Long Reach, New Brunswick "James Beard's American Cookery," by James Beard; Little, Brown (September 30, 1980). "If I could only own one American Cookbook, this would be it," L.C., Long Reach, New Brunswick "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone," by Deborah Madison; Broadway, first edition (October 1, 1997). "There are more than 1,000 recipes in this book and I want to eat them all," L.C., Long Reach, New Brunswick "How to Eat," by Nigella Lawson, Wiley; 1st edition (August 22, 2002). "An excellent, thought-provoking, and mouth-watering read," L.C., Long Reach, New Brunswick "The Making of a Cook," by Madeleine Kamman; Atheneum (March, 1978). "...her recipes always work," L.C., Long Reach, New Brunswick "The Cook's Companion," by Stephanie Alexander, Gardners Books (October 31, 2004). "...considered the Australian classic for the home cook," L.C., Long Reach, New Brunswick "Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian," by Madhur Jaffrey; Clarkson Potter; first edition (January 15, 2002). "This is a book to turn to when you sense that your cooking is stuck in a rut," L.C., Long Reach, New Brunswick   Favorite cookbooks Marjorie (Young) Zwicker, Bridgewater, N.S. "My very favorite cookbook is 'The All New Fannie Farmer (Boston Cooking School) Cookbook (Tenth edition) which I received as a bridal shower gift in August, 1968. Over the past 38 years I have purchased (or received as gifts) numerous other cookbooks, but none can compare to my 'Fannie Farmer.' "Although the cover has become separated from it, and most of the pages are dog-eared and wrinkled from use, it has the best presentation in plain, everyday language for absolutely everything and anything one would want to prepare in the kitchen. Just couldn't do without my 'Fannie Farmer."

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