Kitchen

[joannecha]

So DH & I found ourselves cleaning up 2 rooms after putting up drywall in the living room--dust everywhere an inch thick. We wiped down all surfaces & I found myself in front of our 3-shelf side of the kitchen/living room divider. DH is a serious cook & I am the baker in our family. Ended up purging 3 hard cover & 3 paperback cookbooks. Decided to keep 2 on the pile, but the bookcases are looking better. I also got rid of a 2-tiered recipe card holder that was taking up too much room & replaced with small box. I have been using those old cookbooks less & less except for a few standard recipes that I make a lot. When searching for new recipes now, I find myself using either Pinterest or search on something like All Recipes. So what about you. Do you keep & use your cookbooks?

[qualitygal]

@joannecha I have released to the universe (library) a lot of cookbooks now. I do have some that I want around. Mostly the ones I didn't or wouldn't use. I reread some and go on phases from time to time. Some are treasures to me.

[jlkz]

Years ago I purged an accumulation of cookbooks and articles I had saved but never used ( former book club addict ).

Now I have two cookbooks, one for seafood and one for meat.  They are basic with overviews to provide useful information.

What I use mostly: plastic-sleeved personal recipe sheets, e.g., Marinara sauce for varying quantities.  Just in case my memory starts to fade.  Not too many sheets since DH loves to cook.

[Mary Bailey]

A few years ago I got rid of cookbooks except six: Justin Wilson Cajun cookbook, a Polish, Russian & Geman cookbook, a Game cookbook and 2 dessert cookbooks.

Since that purge I have accquired only the cookbooks that came with appliances.

I have to admit I rarely use any of them.  I think I donated 30-40 cookbooks.

[software]

I've kept all my Calling all Cooks & Southern Living cookbooks.   They have the best recipes, but I'm in the South & love some of the traditional meals & cakes & pies.

When I go to a flea market or 2nd hand store, I search for cookbooks.   I don't have a large collection and never planned on having a large collection but I trust the recipes I find in a published cookbook, particularly by cooks & chefs I know.    Online...not so much.

I just really appreciate a recipe from a published source.    All of the Calling all Cooks & Southern Living recipes are tested over & over in test kitchens and also by home cooks.

[Peaches McPhee]

I purged quite a few a couple years ago, and kept my favorites.  I had some I had not opened since I put them on the shelf when we moved in 15 years ago.  

But, now mostly use the internet  for receipes, anyway.

[Azcowgirl]

Thanks for posting this, you've inspire me to clear some cabinet space and donate a bunch of cookbooks that I never use. I go online for recipes these days too. (:

[HonnyBrown]

I have a pretty hefty collection of cookbooks, but I tend to use the same ones over and over.

My Cooking Light and Bon Apetit cookbooks are keepers.  My 1940s Dione Lucas cookbook will be buried with me.  My vegetarian cookbook is also a keeper.

I like going through them and seeing the notes I've made and the markings on the pages.  Those cookbooks are very loved and well used.

Everything else can go.

[jaxs mom]

I purged a box of cookbooks to the Friends of the Library this week. My shelves are still packed though lol. 

[Toppers]

I love old cookbooks, and actually like to collect them.

I have some that actually belonged to some relatives that are no longer here. 

Some were picked up from flea markets, too. 

I haven't bought any cookbooks in years though, because of the availability of recipes on the internet, though.