Cozy Cooking at Home

Getting creative in the kitchen can be very soothing. We are here to help with a huge assortment of cookbooks available now in Overdrive and Hoopla. Following a recipe can help calm your mind with engaging and simple physical tasks, plus you get to eat something tasty! Read on for a small sampling of our favorite titles.

Will it Waffle? by Daniel Shumski – Dust off that old waffle iron and prepare to shake up your kitchen routine. Here are 53 classics to cook in your waffle iron. Waffled mac and cheese? Check. Waffled pizza? Check. Waffled chicken breast? Check. And of course, there is an excellent recipe for regular old waffles, the perfect comfort food.

Baking with Sourdough by Sara Pitzer – Everybody is talking about sourdough. This small book is a simple introduction to the creation, care, and feeding of a sourdough starter. The book includes recipes for sourdough breads as well as other ways to bake with starter, such as pancakes, cookies, and biscuits.

The New Basics Cookbook by Sheila Lukins and Julee Rosso – From the owners of New York’s famed Silver Palate deli comes an encyclopedic take on cooking basics. Long chapters on rice, pasta, potatoes, grains, and beans can help you make the most of those pantry powerhouses. Did you ever want to learn how to make your own fresh pasta? This book has you covered.

The Big Book of Breakfast: Serious Comfort Food for Any Time of Day by Maryana Vollstedt – A comforting breakfast is just what we need to make the weekends feel decadent. Low on eggs? That’s no obstacle to a nice warm breakfast. Try one of the 20+ waffle and pancake recipes, or a giant crispy potato cake!

Everyday Pasta by Giada de Laurentis and Made in Italy by David Rocco – Italian cooks are justifiably famous for taking humble ingredients—olive oil, pasta, a bit of cheese, lemon—and turning them into scrumptious, soul-satisfying meals. Many of the recipes in both books are freezer- and pantry-friendly. Try David’s Pasta with Beans or Giada’s Spicy Angel Hair Pasta.

My Greek Table by Diane Kochilas – Like Italian food, Greek food makes brilliant use of a few simple ingredients. The host of PBS’ “My Greek Table” brings us a treasure trove of classic Greek and Greek-American dishes. Have some Baklava Oatmeal with cinnamon and honey or try your hand at Classic Greek Bean Soup.

Homemade Cheese by Janet Hurst – You can easily make homemade ricotta, paneer, and fresh mozzarella at home. Now is a great time to try something new!

Happiness is Baking by Maida Heatter – Ms. Heatter says, “Baking is a great escape. It’s happiness. It’s creative. It’s good for your health. It reduces stress.” She passed away last year—at the ripe old age of 102. Take a page out of her book and try Palm Beach Brownies (with peppermint patties baked in!) or Big Sur Chocolate Chip Cookies (the size of saucers!)

Bean by Bean by Crescent Dragonwagon – Writer and proud hippie Crescent Dragonwagon gives us a delectable guide to everything bean. From soups to chilies to main dishes and even desserts, this book will give your pantry staples a chance to shine in dishes like Peanut Butter Cup Brownies (yes, a peanut is a bean) and Traditional Falafel. Round out your meal with Skillet-Sizzled Buttermilk Cornbread. Yum!

Cooking can be nourishing to both body and mind. Try a simple recipe or longer project from one of the books above, or select from one of Henrico County Public Library’s 7000+ electronic cooking and food titles. Have fun—and bon appétit!