Throwback Thursday: Cookbook Recommendations (4/20/2008)

Post Update: So, I thought that maybe instead of doing Wednesday Wisdom that I’d consider doing a Throwback Thursday instead. This would allow me to feature popular posts from my blog’s past. I guess I’d have a chance to reflect and make little update notes on them like this one. Anyway, that said, I wanted to share this particular post to show why somebody like me might be interested in reading a book like Yes, Chef  by Marcus Samuelsson. I took a cooking class at the community college one summer and absolutely loved it. I walked away with some new skills and a super sharp chef’s knife that I don’t like for other people to touch–not because they’ll hurt themselves, but because it’s mine, damn it! But check out the original Cookbook Recommendations post dated 4/20/2008. I was still in graduate school at the time and the mentioned boyfriend is now married—not to me, but the best of luck to him.

Last Thursday I entered my department’s chili cookoff and won! My fiesta chili made with corn, ground turkey, red kidney beans (amongst other things) and sprinkled with a little cheese can’t be beat. Of course my mother had to add a touch of hate by mentioning that just a few years ago I couldn’t get past burning rice. Look at me now though–winning small-time cooking competitions and everything! With that said, I dedicate this post to the cookbooks that inspire me to culinary greatness. Click the covers for more information.

Below you’ll find a few photographs based on the recipes discovered in these books. These are old pictures, since I don’t cook much in grad school, but you’ll get the point.

Fully loaded nachos (via America’s Test Kitchen)

Coconut Curry Chicken (via Chicken)

Enchiladas (via Betty Crocker)

Smothered Chicken (via Healthy Cooking)

Roasted Short Ribs, Goat Cheese
Mashed Potatoes, & Sauteed Green Beans (via G. Garvin)

Rajin Cajun Pasta (via Healthy Cooking)
One of the boyfriend’s favorites . . .

Turkey chops, collard greens,
and sweet potato casserole (via G. Garvin)

Chicken bowtie pasta (via G. Garvin)

Shrimp Egg Foo Yung (via Healthy Cooking)

Buffalo Wings (via America’s Test Kitchen)

Jerk Chicken Salad (via Healthy Cooking)

Now that I’ve made myself hungry, please feel free to offer any suggestions concerning your favorite cookbooks. I’m always looking to add something new to the collection.

Happy cooking, ya’ll.