I have a dirty secret.

Most cupboards, closets and pantries inside my house look like this:

That is what happens when you pull out cookbooks everyday. It is impossible to get them organized when you work a full-time job and have to do important things such as clean. Well, I mean, cleaning isn’t important to me, but it is to that guy I live with.

And the assorted muffin tins and cake pans? Don’t mind them. These is no more room for such things in our humble abode.


I try to organized my cookbooks (and this entire closet) every few weeks so I don’t feel the wrath of the Type A, OCD Mr. How Sweet. I figured while I have them all out here, why not share?


Lineup #1

Hungry Girl, Cooking Light Complete Cookbook, The Simple Art of Baking, The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook and Better Homes and Gardens Soups and Stews.


Out of these five, I use Steamy Kitchen the most – the garlic butter noodles and pad thai are out of this world! Coming in second is Cooking Light, which I often use for ideas for daily lunches and dinners.


Lineup #2

Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Taste of Home Simple and Delicious, Katie Lee’s The Comfort Table, Williams Sonoma Savoring Soups and Salads, and Canyon Ranch Cooks.


This is a stack of favorites. I delve into each of these a few times a month. For everyday dishes, Katie Lee and Canyon Ranch rank high up there.


Lineup #3

The Encyclopedia of Cajun and Creole Cuisine, Something Old and Something New, Raw Food Real World,  Rachael Ray’s Just In Time, Giada’s Kitchen, Eat Drink and Be Vegan, The Sunday Night Football Cookbook, Rachael Ray’s Open House, Martha Stewart’s Cookies.


Let me guess. You are looking at these thinking “what the heck?!” Quite the diverse selection, eh? I have the raw and vegan cookbooks for a two reasons: first, I figure if anyone knows how to make vegetables taste delicious it is vegan’s and raw foodies. Second, I really love raw desserts. Enough said.

Out of these, I used Giada’s Kitchen and Martha’s Cookies the most. I hate to say that I have never tried a recipe out of either of the Rachael books, because nothing has ever appealed to me. The NFL cookbook has some awesome recipes in it – especially ones for the man!


Lineup #4

Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, Williams Sonoma Cookbook, Donna Hay Instant Entertaining, and Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook.


I saved these ones for last for a reason – they are my absolute favorites! I open them at least a few times a week. I love the recipes, the writing, the pictures… Basically I want to live inside one of these cookbooks. Or all of them.


Of course, I also have some of these fabulous goodies laying around.

Some of the best recipes are found in these books put together for churches and communities. Ain’t no denying that!


And many of these treasures.

But I’ve already talked about those.


Some people collect dolls. I collect books. I love how they smell and look and feel. And it’s not just limited to cookbooks either. But if I show you the rest of my book collection, I think you may nominate me for Hoarders.

Now tell me – what is your must-have cookbook? The cookbook you can’t go one day (…or week) without? I’m always looking to add to my junk collection. List some of your favorites!