Some of us are traveling to lakes or cabins, going camping, visiting friends and family, or we are staying home for the long weekend. Regardless, the weather tends to be warmer and the sun is out a bit longer. If you need a bit of help with food preparation for this holiday weekend, you’re in luck! We’ve curated 10 wonderful cookbooks for everyone. They range from cocktail and beverage books, to BBQ and camping, kid-friendly, and more!
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Beverage Cookbooks
If you know the weather is going to be toasty during the holiday weekend, there is nothing more vital than refreshing beverages. This is the perfect way to sit and relax and soak up some sun. We always have to make sure to keep hydrated! There are two beverage cookbooks that I think will be amazing to have during the long weekend I want to share:
Gazoz: The Art of Making Magical, Seasonal Sparkling Drinks
What I love most about the Gazoz: The Art of Making Magical, Seasonal Sparkling Drinks cookbook are the gorgeous photos! You know I am a sucker for fantastic photos in a cookbook and these are lovely. In my opinion, each drink looks like a magical liquid terrarium.
This is one of the first cookbooks that focuses on this Israeli beverage, believe it or not. Gazoz are a more elaborate version of a simple syrup and soda water drink. In the United States, before everything became too sugary, this is what our soda fountains produced.
In addition to fresh flavors, you can add fresh fruits, herbs, flowers, and even vegetables to your gazoz beverage. The possibilities are truly endless.
Each chapter is divided into sections based on flavor profiles or ingredients used such as stone fruit, citrus, basic, vegetable, floral, and much more!
Here are a few examples of recipes you will find in this cookbook: bitter orange, pomegranate and kambucha, and green plum gazoz.
All the recipes are non-alcoholic, which is perfect for your kids, sober friends, or for drinking in between the cocktails that are available in the next cookbook!
Mezcal and Tequila Cocktails: Mixed Drinks for the Golden Age of Agave [A Cocktail Recipe Book]
I hope I am not the only one who absolutely loves tequila, especially in summertime. I am so excited to get the Mezcal and Tequila Cocktails: Mixed Drinks for the Golden Age of Agave! With over 60 recipes strictly for tequila and mezcal drinkers, I will be a happy camper all summer long!
The author of this cookbook is Robert Simonson, who writes for the New York Times about spirits, cocktails, bars and bartenders of New York. This is what makes this particular cocktail book more distinguished than others, because he is incredibly savvy on the topic of mixology.
The topic of tequila and mezcal wasn’t as much of a norm for our bookshelves even five years ago. More and more people are beginning to have an appreciation for tequila and all the ways you can pair it! This is a must have cookbook for those who enjoy this particular spirit.
The photography is amazing and fully showcase each beverages characteristics. Most of the recipes are paired with a stellar full colored and full paged photo.
The cocktails are not specifically for summertime! There are seasonal recipes so you can enjoy the flavors of mezcal and tequila all year around. We learn what blends go well with tequila and how to jazz each drink up. There are even recipes that use tequila for some classics, like a Negroni or Moscow Mule!
This is going to be a must have for Memorial Day weekend!
Platters and Spreads Cookbooks
I remember my grandma would always leave a gorgeous spread or platter out for us during lunch time as we went off to play on the water. People would nibble as they went in and out of the lake house – it was perfect. Rather than waiting on everyone to come inside for lunch or even dinner, having little snacks throughout the day that are accessible is really important. Herding a bunch of people while on vacation can be a hassle! This is why I thoroughly enjoy the thought of doing a spread for midday meals.
Tables & Spreads: A Go-To Guide for Beautiful Snacks, Intimate Gatherings, and Inviting Feasts
In this Tables & Spreads: A Go-To Guide for Beautiful Snacks, Intimate Gatherings, and Inviting Feasts cookbook we are given 60 easy recipes to prepare and 20 different kinds of spreads. Of course this includes the “how to prepare a spread, why to prepare a spread, and when.”
If you’re all about the nitty gritty details, this is the cookbook for you. It offers portion sizes for each spread depending on how many guests. There is information about specific pairings, including drinks. Plus, there are tips on how to stylize each platter as you begin to assemble your spread.
One of my favorite parts about this cookbook is the different themes and celebrations – they’ve included everything. There are table spread ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, baby showers, holidays, and so much more.
If you’re looking to be the “hostess with the mostest” you will definitely awe your guests using this cookbook. It is phenomenal!
Boards, Platters, Plates: Recipes for Entertaining, Sharing, and Snacking
I am also very fond of the Boards, Platters, Plates: Recipes for Entertaining, Sharing, and Snacking cookbook. Most because the photography is bold and bright!
There are 30 different board and platter ideas that are incredibly unique. Examples are: Lebanese Lunch, Cauliflower Pakoras and Chaat Friends, Korean BBQ, and S’mores Without a Campfire. As you can see, this cookbook lays the foundation we need to create our own platters and boards for the future. We could even mix and match recipes and themes that already exist in this cookbook.
Like I said before, the photos are glorious. Unlike Tables & Spreads: A Go-To Guide for Beautiful Snacks, Intimate Gatherings, and Inviting Feasts , this cookbook is photo reliant. It illustrates to us how elaborate or casual each spread can be depending on your guests. Personally, I like to see things in action to get a better handle on the situation.
I am so glad they’ve included a chapter for holidays and large gatherings so we can create fun boards for important occasions.
Camping Cookbooks
I’ve been camping for a while, but I have never been in charge of food. I am always bringing all the special gadgets and tools that people may need to cook. In the summer of 2020, we went camping with some friends and they opened my eyes to true camp cooking. We only used the fire and sometimes the cast iron skillet. This was brand new territory for me! Now that my husband and I want to go camping by ourselves, we both want to learn how to cook by the fire. Here’s a few cookbooks that will be helpful including one for kids!
Wild Child: Adventure Cooking With Kids
The concept of the Wild Child: Adventure Cooking With Kids cookbook is fantastic. It allows kids to be kids, but also helps us learn important lessons like cooking outdoors and with fire. This cookbook is going to make the “survivalist” lifestyle more appealing for kids, because it is so much fun!
There are fifty simple recipes set in the outdoors. These are all kid friendly, as in, they will love preparing these dishes for their friends and loved ones. It’s a great opportunity to have a bonding experience with your little ones, as well. Don’t worry, you can use this cookbook at home if you want! Take it with you wherever you go.
If you’re concerned about your kids cooking around a fire, do not fret, there is a whole chapter on fire safety. Honestly, most adults (like myself) can use a refresher on fire safety!
My favorite chapter of this cookbook is “Little Women!” I love the personal story she shares about never understanding why camping or the outdoors has always been a “man’s domain.” So she has created a whole chapter on empowering little girls to go explore and embrace the great outdoors, including collecting, fishing, and cooking over an open flame!
The Campfire Cast Iron Cookbook: The Ultimate Cookbook of Hearty and Delicious Cast Iron Recipes
We have said it many times on our podcast, but we love Cider Mill Press. The The Campfire Cast Iron Cookbook: The Ultimate Cookbook of Hearty and Delicious Cast Iron Recipes cookbook is a perfect example as to why.
The recipes are very easy to approach in this cookbook. Many of them only require 8 ingredients max. If you’re an avid camper you will understand how important that is – you don’t want to haul a lot of stuff with you.
We see recipes that range from all kinds of flavors for all times of the day. There is a lamb Irish stew, apple pear crumble, and cheddar and jalapeno scones – yum! Honestly, I am super impressed with how much you can do with this cookbook. I would never have imagined making scones in a cast iron. There are over 100 amazing recipes to keep you covered as you wander the wilderness.
Bringing a cast iron with you camping is a godsend. Learning how to cook over open flame with a cast iron can be really tricky, so this cookbook breaks the steps down in a very easy way.
Food by Fire: Grilling and BBQ with Derek Wolf of Over the Fire Cooking
Derek Wolf is the king of over the fire cooking. It was beginner’s luck really; he fell in love with over the fire cooking after scrolling through an endless list of shows! He stumbled upon a documentary following a South American chef and his adventures cooking with fire. He had to try it, so the first dish he made was a Porter Road skirt steak with homemade chimichurri sauce. It was so tasty that Wolf made it his life’s work to learn how to cook over open flame. Take a look at his his instagram for photos of his most recent creations.
With the Food by Fire: Grilling and BBQ with Derek Wolf of Over the Fire Cooking cookbook, we have the luxury of taking Derek Wolf with us on this journey. His passion seeps through the pages of his cookbook in the best possible way. The recipes are influenced from flavors all around the world and he explains each dish with elaborate detail. Without even looking at the recipe, your mouth will water.
The cookbook is divided simply between direct heat and indirect heat. Each recipe uses different tools and techniques that Wolf breaks down with ease. He specifically wanted to create a cookbook that is approachable for all levels.
This isn’t just about grilling meat, but there are recipes for sides, sauces, and glazes. This includes some spice blends! You can actually find some of Derek Wolf’s spiceblends on Spiceology – it is actually one of their best selling blends!
Grilling and Barbecue Cookbooks
Whether you are off in a secluded oasis or at home enjoying your staycation, grilling and barbecue are almost essential during Memorial Day weekend. It’s fun to grill outside for loved ones while socializing or even for yourself. I wanted to share two fantastic barbecue and grilling cookbooks that are going to be beneficial for all summer long!
One-Beer Grilling: Fast, Easy, and Fresh Recipes for Great Grilled Meals You Can Make Before You Finish Your First Cold One
The One-Beer Grilling: Fast, Easy, and Fresh Recipes for Great Grilled Meals You Can Make Before You Finish Your First Cold One cookbook is incredibly useful for all kinds of people. Most of all, this focuses on dishes that you can make before you finish your beer (I love this!) There is a place for slow cooked foods, but if you’re not in a position for that, this is the perfect cookbook!
There are over 75 delightful recipes you can make for yourself or friends and family during the holiday season. All are very easy and tasty! Some examples of the recipes you’ll find in this cookbook are: chicken cheesesteak sandwiches, Hawaiian burger, and grilled stuffed avocados!
The cookbook is divided into meat chapters, pizza, appetizers, sides, and even desserts. This is incredibly useful if you’re trying to cook for a big party and don’t have a lot of time to prepare dishes!
A bonus to this cookbook is there is a beer pairing for every dish you prepare. For beer drinkers out there, this is a fantastic cookbook!
Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ: Every Day Is a Good Day: A Cookbook
I’ve talked about Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ: Every Day Is a Good Day: A Cookbook often in our blog and podcast. I am just in love with this cookbook, so I really need to buy it for the summer. I just don’t have a grill or fire pit! For those of you who do, definitely check out this cookbook.
Rodney Scott is the first African American pitmaster to win a James Beard Award. This cookbook is delightful for its recipes, and also for its cultural significance. His journey and life are fascinating. I feel blessed he is willing to share his masterful recipes with us!
The dishes he presents to us are mind-blowing and drool worthy! As you flip through and look at the photos you will understand. It’s hard to resist BBQ burgers, loaded pork skin nachos, and hushpuppies. There’s a mix of traditional barbecue fare and Scott’s own recipes!
There are grilling tips, sauces, sides, and so much more in this cookbook!
Check out our BBQ blog post for more information on Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ: Every Day Is a Good Day: A Cookbook and other BBQ cookbooks that you may enjoy!
Dessert Cookbooks
Every time we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we always have dessert all weekend long. Of course, as a kid, this was my favorite part about the vacation. That’s why I wanted to show you my favorite dessert cookbook pick!
Ice Cream Party: Mix and Match to Create 3,375 Decadent Combinations
Who knew making ice cream could be so much fun? The Ice Cream Party: Mix and Match to Create 3,375 Decadent Combinations cookbook is amazing!
This is great for people who enjoy surprises. Each page is divided into 3 sections. You can randomly flip through all through all three sections to create a distinct ice cream surprise! The possibilities are endless.
This is great for adults and children alike. The kids will love the spontaneity of different ice cream flavors, toppings, and bakes that’ll pair together. The adults will enjoy the effortless recipes to make delightful treats. I know this will up my ice cream game, how about you?
I am so excited for summertime and Memorial Day weekend! I hope these cookbooks come in use for some of you as you prepare for the holiday weekend ahead!
~Kaiti
