For a really long time I never appreciated “American” food. I feel like I grew up with corporatized meals thanks to companies like Kraft or Nestle, instead of really cooked American food. It wasn’t until I was a little older that I learned what American food really tastes like – beyond a burger and fries.
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As an adult, I have a greater appreciation for it – that’s why I am thrilled about these four cookbooks coming out in August 2021.
Kevin Belton’s Cookin’ Louisiana: Flavors from the Parishes of the Pelican State
Kevin Belton (Author)
I desperately want to try authentic Creole food. Louisiana is on my bucket list of places to travel to purely for it’s cuisine. We can also experiment at home with the Kevin Belton’s Cookin’ Louisiana: Flavors from the Parishes of the Pelican State cookbook.
This cookbook takes away recipes from his TV show and some extra dishes from Kevin Belton’s home state of Louisiana.
You can check out his television show here on PBS.org
Louisiana is known for a wide variety of food. Belton explores flavor profiles and dishes from all kinds of parishes across the state.
There are 78 delightful recipes to try out and a handful from his show on PBS.
Some examples you will find are Fried Alligator Bites, Shrimp Scampi Risotto, and Pumpkin Soup!
Everything sounds yummy!
The Complete Cook’s Country TV Show Cookbook Includes Season 14 Recipes: Every Recipe and Every Review from All Fourteen Seasons
America’s Test Kitchen
This cookbook is massive, with more than 500 recipes! This includes a backstory and the inspiration behind many of the dishes we know today. For instance, popcorn chicken did not originate in a KFC kitchen. Instead, they bought the idea from someone.
I’ve never watched Cook’s Country before, so definitely give it a try.
Sharing is caring in America, so you will find recipes that look vastly different. This includes: Italian Meatloaf, Ground Beef Stroganoff, Iowa Skinnies, Texas Potato Pancakes, and Strawberry Cheesecake Bars.
If you’re in love with the Cook’s Country TV show this is a must-have cookbook.
Southern Grit: 100+ Down-Home Recipes for the Modern Cook
Kelsey Barnard Clark (Author)
Learn from the best! Kelsey Barnard Clark is the 16th winner of Top Chef, so she really knows what she is talking about. Check out her Instagram@kelseybarnardclark to see more.
I adore how the Southern Grit: 100+ Down-Home Recipes for the Modern Cook cookbook is laid out! Everything is very easy to navigate, clear, and concise.
Depending on the recipe, Clark has provided some extra tips to enhance each dish. Sometimes that includes which other dishes to have alongsiide the recipe you’ve picked. This is helpful so you can plan whole meals with one cookbook!
The photography throughout Southern Grit: 100+ Down-Home Recipes for the Modern Cook is vibrant and crisp. It really showcases each dish to the fullest!
Some dishes I am looking forward to are the Bomb Nachos, Smoked Gouda Grits, and Okra Hot Fries – Yum!
Clark simplifies recipes so they can be made throughout the week. Now you can enjoy cooking without all the stress!
Country Kitchen Cookbook: A Collection of Traditional American Home-Cooked Recipes
by Jennifer Boudinot
If you’re looking for a celebration of American cuisine, this is the cookbook for you. Country Kitchen Cookbook: A Collection of Traditional American Home-Cooked Recipes provides over 100 recipes that span across the entirety of America.
There are recipes like Strawberry Shortcake, Beef Stew with Dumplings, Loaded Baked Potato Soup, and so much more!
Boudinot celebrates the melting-pot that is American cuisine.
Most of the recipes are divided up into sections such as “breakfasts” or “scrumptious greens and salads.” This is more of a traditional layout for a cookbook. I think I would have preferred to see each dish separated by region from the United States.
Because this is a flexibound cookbook, you won’t have to worry about everything getting dirty!
Any of these four American cookbooks will give you all you need to celebrate American cuisine. Take a look at let us know which one looks the most appealing!
~Kaiti
