There are a LOT of cookbooks on sale for Prime Day. And as someone who owns a slightly embarrassing number of them, I can tell you that not every cookbook is worthwhile, even if it’s a great deal.
I’m pretty picky about what earns a spot on my shelf. I cook from my cookbooks — a lot. I only want ones that let me, a totally average home cook, get food on the table that my family will actually eat.
These are the cookbooks on sale this Prime Day that I immediately added to my cart, plus a few that I’m saving for for the future.
And after the Amazon fairy visits my front porch? That’s when the fun starts. I’ll cook from it and eventually tell you what I really think.
The cookbooks I’m hitting checkout on for Amazon Prime Day:
Pretty Delicious: Simple Modern Mediterranean, Served with Style
Alia Elkaffas & Radwa Elkaffas
⭐ Amazon Customer Rating: 4.6
Why I’m Buying It:
Mediterranean food is always a hit in my house, so it’s a no-brainer for me. The recipes sounds amazing… there’s even a halloumi recipe, and I have been on a serious halloumi kick lately. I’m not familiar with the Food Dolls, but high customer rating is enough to convince me.
The First Recipes I’ll Make:
Banana Bread-Baked Oatmeal, Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia with Mango Avocado Salsa, Hummus with Spiced Ground Beef
Dinner Tonight: 200 Quick Recipes for Inspired Weeknight Cooking
America’s Test Kitchen
⭐ Amazon Customer Rating: 4.4
Why I’m Buying It:
I was sold as soon as I read “make weeknight dinners fun and stress-free” in the description. I’m also already familiar with America’s Test Kitchen and have had mostly good results with their recipes so far.
Also, this negative review actually made me want to try it even more: “Too many ‘global’ recipes for my taste.” Sorry you don’t like spices and condiments, Rosie. But we don’t do boring, bland food in my house.
The First Recipes I’ll Make:
Indian Butter Chicken, Pork Meatball Banh Mi, Glazed Chicken Breasts with Currant-Pistachio Couscous
Well Plated Everyday
Erin Clarke
⭐ Amazon Customer Rating: 4.7
Why I’m Buying It:
I’m already a huge fan of Erin Clarke from her first Well Plated cookbook (read my review), so I’m really excited about this one. I love that her recipes are fast and healthy, and they are completely doable for the average person. Oh, and they taste pretty good too. :)
The First Recipes I’ll Make:
Crispy Chicken Schnitzel, Pumpkin Banana Bread, Puff Pastry Cuban Bites
Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics
Ina Garten
⭐ Amazon Customer Rating: 4.7
Why I’m Buying It:
Can you have too many Ina Garten cookbooks? I think not. There is a reason she has been so popular for so long. If this is like the other ones I own, the recipes are a little more elevated than my normal weeknight dinner. However, I always like to have a few “special” recipes in my back pocket, and Garten’s always deliver.
The First Recipes I’ll Make:
Herb-Marinated Loin of Pork, Roasted Butternut Squash Salad, Wild Mushroom Risotto
Don’t Think About Dinner
Jenn Lueke
⭐ Amazon Customer Rating: 4.8
Why I’m Buying It:
I am not familiar with Jenn Lueke and I have no idea what her recipes are like. But the reviews for this book just heap praise upon it, so I’m intrigued. (Yes, I can be easily influenced to buy things. No, it’s not a problem.)
This also really caught my eye while reading the description: “recipes that relied on obscure, expensive ingredients that often spoiled before she could finish them.” I have a real thing about not wasting food. I will often skip recipes that use fresh ingredients that I’ll use a fraction of, and throw the rest out.
The First Recipes I’ll Make:
Pistachio Berry Crisp, Crunchy Pork Lettuce Wraps with Carrot Slaw, Pesto and Roasted Red Pepper Egg Casserole
So… what’s actually going in my cart?
That’s the question I’m trying to answer before Prime Day ends. Some of these may make the cut. Some may stay on the wish list.
And if I do buy any of them, you’ll eventually get the full YFIF treatment: recipes tested, opinions formed, and absolutely no pretending a cookbook is amazing just because I paid money for it.
You’ve got enough mental load. I’ll figure out the cookbook part.
Follow along for honest cookbook reviews and recommendations from a very average home cook.
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