The best cookbooks you should have at home – my recommendations!

A good cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes – it is inspiration, guidance, and often also a faithful companion in everyday life. Whether you are just starting to cook or already have experience in the kitchen: the right cookbooks can make all the difference. They help you learn new techniques, discover a variety of dishes, and improve your own cooking routine.

In this article, I’m introducing you to my favorite cookbooks that no kitchen should be without – from timeless classics and modern bestsellers to specialized books for healthy, quick, or international cuisine.

The best cookbooks for beginners and advanced cooks

Over the years, I’ve accumulated quite a few cookbooks, but I notice that I usually tend to reach for the same ones, or the same author. Here I’ve listed my favorites for you:

Jamie Oliver: Essen ist fertig!

My favorite among cookbooks has been Jamie Oliver from the very beginning. I used to love watching his shows and loved the way he worked so heartily with his hands and enthusiastically described his dishes. I still often make meals from this book, including for the children, that the whole family thoroughly enjoys.

My favorites from this book:

• Oven-baked chicken breasts with corn, beans, and bananas
• Farfalle with bacon and peas
• Rigatoni with tomato and eggplant sauce and mozzarella
• Tagliatelle with spinach, mascarpone, and Parmesan
• Smoked salmon sandwich with lemon and crème fraîche
• Lemon roast chicken with roasted rosemary potatoes

Dagmar von Cramm: Das große GU Kochbuch für Babys & Kleinkinder

I treated myself to this cookbook when I had my twins and wanted to replace jarred baby food. I was so happy with this book because the dishes were simple, tasty, and usually really quick to make. The children also liked them very much. It includes lots of information, purée recipes, and then recipes for when the children are older. Spoiler: I still cook many of the dishes today, even though the children are long since teenagers. It simply tastes so good.

My favorites from the book:

• Turkey breast à la pesto
• Cinderella soup
• Energy couscous
• Miracle pot
• Velvety potato and corn soup

Thea: Einfach Kochen – Grundkochbuch – Kochbuch Nr. 11

My mom gave me this basic cookbook back when I moved out from home, and I have to say she chose really well. In this book, you’ll find many familiar dishes that are described briefly and simply. Many Austrian classics are included in this book, and I’ve been using some of these recipes for a really long time.

Here are my favorites:

• Pancake batter
• Stewed plums
• Kaiserschmarrn
• Frittaten batter
• Potato salad
• Cucumber salad
• Meatloaf
• Minced meat patties
• Spätzle
• Mashed potatoes
• Spinach strudel
• Stuffed peppers
• Rice and meat stew
• Garlic soup
• Cream of Zucchini Soup
• Semolina dumpling soup

Dagmar von Cramm: Das große GU Kochbuch – Kochen für Kinder

As the children got older, I also bought this cookbook by Dagmar von Cramm. This book was a real lucky find for me as well, because I really liked so many of the recipes and was able to recreate a lot of them. Everything I tried from it worked and also tasted good to my whole family.

My favorites from this book:

• Turnip crumb ragout with kohlrabi
• Crispy apple rings
• Semolina mounds with cherries
• Snack corn
• Shake fries
• Nutty turkey
• Paprika chicken
• Little Red Riding Hood spätzle
• Yummy lentils
• Cherry custard
• Apricot balls on a bed of semolina

Jamie Oliver: Kochen mit Jamie Oliver – The naked Chef

One of my first cookbooks of my own, which I still really like. I love eating his creations and am always fascinated by how much joy he puts into preparing everything. I also really like his vivid descriptions in the book.

My favorites from this book:

• Chickpea and leek soup
• Honey mustard garlic dressing (my favorite dressing!)
• The perfect roast chicken (and that’s really true)
• Tagliatelle with peas, broad beans, cream, and Parmesan

Bianca Zapatka: Vegan Soulfood

When my husband suddenly said he wanted to eat vegan, I bought this book. My daughter was immediately enthusiastic too, and we’ve already recreated a lot from this book. The recipes are easy, the ingredients are usually simple, and I’m truly thrilled by how good the dishes taste. Even though my husband no longer eats only vegan, I still cook many of the dishes again and again for a family meal.

My favorites from this book:

• Turkish bulgur salad
• Shakshuka with chickpeas
• Vegan fried eggs
• Pancake Cereal
• Vegan potato and cheese waffles
• Summer rolls
• The best peanut sauce

Dagmar von Cramm: Kochen für die Familie

I then also bought the family cookbook by Dagmar von Cramm. It contains many classics that are quick to prepare simply and with just a few ingredients. I also keep making dishes from this cookbook for my family. Above all, you have to try the interesting pumpkin recipe; it’s very popular with us.

My favorites from this book:

• Pumpkin noodle pot (you have to try it; it’s brilliant!)
• Piccata alla Milanese
• Corn soup
• Salmon mousse
• Arugula sour cream
• Chocolate mousse
• Chocolate cream with fruit
• Almond waffles
• Ratatouille
• Bulgur patties with mint yogurt
• Gypsy-style potato tray bake

Jamie Oliver: Jamies 15 Minuten Küche

And another Jamie Oliver book that I’d like to include here. Admittedly, I haven’t cooked that much from it yet, but we really like these 3 dishes. This book is also – unfortunately – different. It lacks the lovely descriptions in addition to the recipes; it’s rather more matter-of-fact. The dishes are simple, made with few ingredients, and really quick to prepare.

Here are my favorites:

• Brilliant Greek chicken with vegetable couscous and tzatziki
• Rosemary chicken, grilled polenta
• Medallions with Parma ham

Genial Kochen mit Jamie Oliver

Yes, I know, it’s another Jamie Oliver cookbook, but it’s just so good that I want to include it. There are lots of quick and easy recipes that are easy to recreate, even for beginners.

Here are my favorites:

• Baked cod with avocado, shrimp, cream, and cheese
• Fried cod with cherry tomatoes, basil & mozzarella
• Seared salmon with radicchio, bacon, pine nuts, and Aceto Balsamico
• Warm bread salad with crispy bacon, Parmesan, and poached egg
• The best baked onions in the world
• New potatoes with sea salt and rosemary
• Artichoke salad with pink grapefruits, frisée, and pecorino
• Chicken in milk

Thea: Wir backen – Grundbackkochbuch – Kochbuch Nr. 12

I also got this basic baking book from my mom back then, and I love it. It contains lots of simple recipes to bake, as well as many classics and more challenging treats.

My favorites from this book:

• Ant cake (with egg liqueur)
• Stirred fruit cake (fruit sheet cake)
• Yogurt cake
• Farmer’s Bundt cake
• Poppy seed Bundt cake
• Nut Bundt cake
• Shake cake
• Moist brown cake
• Basic shortcrust pastry dough
• Carrot cake
• Sachertorte

GU – 1 Form – 50 Muffins süß und pikant

I really enjoy baking, and muffins are one of my favorites: they’re usually quick and are great to take along or are also very popular with children.

My favorites from this book:

• Surprise chocolate muffins (my absolute favorites)
• Raspberry muffins
• Blackberry egg liqueur muffins
• Piña colada muffins
• Quark chocolate muffins
• Tuna caper muffins

GU – Mehr neue Muffins

I then bought this book as well so I could try out more great muffin recipes.

My favorites from this book:

• Raspberry chocolate muffins
• Apple quark muffins
• Chocolate nut muffins
• Port wine cherry muffins

These are some of my favorite cookbooks, which I still really, really enjoy using over the years. Of course, everyone has their own tastes and preferences in the kitchen, and I’d love to hear about your favorite cookbooks, so do write to me.

Read also: Avoiding grease splatters on your cookbook

Photos by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at