It is February 2nd and I am well into the doldrums of winter cooking. All the holidays are past and I am dreaming of the grill , salads and the beautiful yummy vegetables that came from my garden last summer.
I know in just six short months it will be hot and sticky outside and the grill will have lost it's appeal and I will be dreaming of a cold night and a yummy stew with a fresh baked crusty bread.
As a cook I am fickle always desiring the tastes just out of reach.
When I find myself in these doldrums I reach for my trusty cookbooks to guild me to a place where my taste buds can settle and sit a spell.
American Classics is the most warn of all my books. The Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine got together and tested some of the most beloved American recipes, every way imaginable and then collected those recipes into this amazing cookbook, everything from biscuits, to turkey and lemon meringue pie. I love this cookbook! It is filled with so much good information and advice. I think everyone should have one in their cooking library.
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My next favorite cookbook is
The Bread Baker's Apprentice. Peter Reinhart is a Master of Bread Baking and I would love to be an apprentice in his kitchen. I think this book is as close as I will ever come, but if you love baking your own bread and dream of creating the artisan breads you see in the finest of bakeries this cookbook is for you! I can smell the yeasted dough rising just thinking about this book!
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For just everyday recipes I turn to
The Joy of Cooking. This is a must have for anyone who spends time slaving in front of a stove. You can find any and all recipes in this book.
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Finally as a New Englander I recommend all of the cookbooks written by Susan Branch She is a artist, cook, host and gardener from Martha's Vineyard who has the most enjoyable 
cookbooks I have ever seen. This one Heart of the Home notes from a Vineyard Kitchen is one of my favorites. They are filled with yummy recipes, great advice and beautiful hand drawn pictures. If you have never seen one of these books I suggest you check one out next time you are at the book store. You won't be disappointed.
When I have exhausted my cookbook library and I need a good idea, I turn to allrecipes.com. Here I can find some wonderful recipes as well as advice from those who have tried them out.Last but not least if I can't find anything there we turn to take out.
Do you suffer from the winter doldrums in the kitchen?
What do you do? Do you have a favorite cookbook you turn to? If so leave a comment bellow.
