Cookbook Suggestions

I am a total bookwhore, just as I am cooking whore.

But put the two together?  And you've got a Cookbook Whore!

Which I am, thank you very much. 

I have a vast collection of cookbooks and diet books (which I use for the recipes) that have amazing, tasty recipes in them that won't break the bank!  And my reason for making this blog is to help others find simple (yet delicious) recipes that they can whip up in an instant (though sometimes longer...).  And these cookbooks will help you do just that!

So here is my list of awesome cookbooks that are STAPLES in my kitchen (some I'm trying to remember from memory, because in 2018 we became homeless and lost a huge amount of what we owned, and many of my favorite cookbooks were with that stuff--I've had to rebuy certain cookbooks, but some are just, unfortunately, lost to memory):

(These links are affiliate links, this means I get a little percentage of the cost of the item, at no cost to you.  By purchasing through my page, you are helping feed my poor-ass family, as well, as helping me come up with more kick-ass recipes ideas to share with you!)

The Cooking Whore's All-Time Favorite Cookbooks

1. Saving Dinner by Leanne Ely

I have a total cookbook boner for this one!!  If you're looking for an amazing cookbook that will take the guesswork out of creating menus?  AND the meals are cheap and delicious?  Well, look no further!  I have used mine so much it's covered in food stains LOL  This is from the same people who brought us www.FlyLady.com.  Also, this book is how I learned to make my shopping lists correctly! (each chapter has shopping lists)  For real, if you buy just one cookbook in your whole life (or this year...or this month!), let it be this one!  You won't regret it 😉 (I also own the vegetarian version of this book, but there's also low-carb, and others to choose from, too)

2. Pillsbury Savvy Shopper's Cookbook

This book is packed full of easy to make, and easy on the wallet recipes!  Not to mention delicious, too!  So tonight, whip up som French Dip sandwiches or a yummy spaghetti sauce, or maybe a cheeseburger pizza?  Everything is so cheap and easy to make that every night will be a cooking night when you have this cookbook in your arsenal!

3. The Everything Nordic Cookbook by Kari Schoening Diehl

I grew up on Swedish cooking, so all of these recipes are near and dear to my heart, but you don't have to be Nordic to enjoy them!  How about some amazing Swedish pancakes?  Or, better yet, some potato waffles?  OMG THOSE ARE SO GOOD!  What about making your own spreadable cheese made with two ingredients?  Or some kickass macaroni casserole (which is mac-n-cheese with bacon and onion...OMG GOOD!)?  This book is packed from front to back with recipes from the northlands and you'll be sure to find some recipes that will become forever staples in your home!

4. The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook by Tosca Reno

Like I said, I have diet books that I use as cookbooks, because they contain recipes you can't find elsewhere.  This cookbook is based on the clean-eating diet, which isn't too bad of a diet if you're going to be on one.  This book is NOT filled with cheap eats, though.  You can substitute as needed if you don't have certain ingredients (like using traditional flour instead of gluten-free when it calls for it) or whatever.  I am including it here because there are recipes in this book that are certainly cheap, but also damn delicious.  AND it's full of great ideas you can use as a jumping point to make your own recipes.  There some great dip recipes and soups that are delish!

5. The American Heart Association's Low-Salt Cookbook 3rd Edition

If you're eating lo-so, like I am, then you know that finding quality recipes for this diet is almost impossible.  But then this book comes along and changes your life!  AND it comes with all your nutritional facts, which some cookbooks lack.  I love this book for its bread recipes (lo-so bread, bitches! who knew you could have that??) and for everything else!  My version is tabbed to the gills (I put tabs on my fav recipes) and covered in food stains LOL  So much yum in this book!

6. Five Ingredient Cookbooks

Or whatever number you like.  These cookbooks are filled to the brim with cheap recipes and if you ever are short on food, just whip one of these babies out and you'll probably find something amazing to make for dinner!  (or lunch or breakfast)  And the coolest part is that you can run to any resale shop that has cookbooks and you'll be sure to find some to fit your budget!  (though Goodwill is getting crazy with their cookbook prices in my town!)  Here are some of my favs:

The Easy 5 Ingredient Cookbook

Micheal Symons 5 in 5

Crockpot 5 Ingredients

5 Ingredient 1 Pot Cookbook

7. $5 Meal Plans

No, this is not a cookbook. BUT if you can afford $5 a month or just $5 for one month, you can fill up your cooking binder (want to see mine?  click here!) with oodles of cheap and amazing recipes from this awesome service!!  I love love love $5 Meal Plans, though I can't always afford keeping it.  So whenever I have an extra 5 bux to spend, I sign back up for it.  One of my favorite recipes from her plans are the BBQ Chicken Street Tacos!  YUM!  They offer a 14-day free trial, so there is no excuse not to try it!! AND they have different types of meal plans if you're on a restricted diet of some sort (including gluten-free)!!  I have a $5 Meal Plan binder where I keep all my printed recipes.  Each meal is $5 or less and at least feeds a family of four (though the author feeds her family of 6 on them!).  This is by far one of the best services for poor people (and everyone else) to make great meals on the cheap!!  And this link isn't affiliated, because a) I have no idea if they offer that and b) I would promote no matter what!

8. The Crockin' Girls Slow Cooker Companion

I just love a cookbook filled with no-nonsense recipes, don't you?  You know, the kind that are simple, fresh, and become staples in your cooking repertoire, unlike those convoluted crazy recipes that not only cost an arm and a leg, but also take 6 hours to prepare? (I'm looking at you Rachel Ray!) This book is filled with down-home, simple and tasty-ass dishes that you'll want to make again, and again, and again!!  Like Ranch Potatoes on page 170: 3 ingredients, simple, cheap, easy, and tasty as fuuuuuck!  And not to mention, all of these recipes are simply made in the crockpot (or an instant pot on the slow-cooking function)!  And the Cowboy Beans on page 142 are reminiscent of my mother's Saturday Night Surprise we had growing up, so you know this book is filled with awesome shit!


I have loads more, but those are my favorite go-to cookbooks.

As I read more of them, I will add more favs to my list!  Do you have any reccomendations for kick-ass cookbooks?  If so, let me know below!!