cookbook clubbin’
A few years ago I heard about something called a Cookbook Club, and knew I had to start my own. The idea: you pick a cookbook, and everyone selects a recipe from the same book to make for dinner. It’s basically a glorified potluck, with a little more intention and commitment behind the meal.
As a notorious “peacemaker” personality type and a hard Enneagram 9, I think I’m subconsciously always looking for ways to bring togetherness and harmony to those around me. When I started CookBook Club back in 2018, it was mostly an excuse to host dinner parties, and a way to get to know some coworkers who I didn’t see outside of work very much (or even inside of work very much, since the entire company was remote). Over the years, it’s morphed constantly — fluctuating in different groups of friends and coworkers, amount of people in attendance, cookbook format, hosting location, you name it. Every dinner is a new iteration, and I love that no two are alike.
Actually, I love everything about Cookbook Club. Even when it gets stressful hosting or people worry their food isn’t good enough or I completely botch a dish. I love that it invites people to step out of their comfort zone and see what they can do in the kitchen; and more often than not they surprise themselves. I love that it provides an opportunity for the guests to meet new people, or try new flavors, or just come together and commune and be proud of what we created. It’s one of my favorite things.
How it works logistically: I buy the cookbook, send people the recipes they’re interested in, and then do my best to strategically steer them in the right direction to build an overall balanced meal that meshes and flows nicely. All the guests sign up for a dish, whether it’s a cocktail, an appetizer, a side, a main, or a dessert (and there’s always a bottle of wine to contribute for those who are too timid to chef it up). Then, after everyone cooks their recipe at home, we all come together for a beautiful dinner.
You’re invited, too - come take a peek at some of our most recent dinners.
molly baz: cook this book
I’ve slowly been making way through this cookbook and it’s quickly becoming my new favorite. Every recipe has been golden, and I love the way Molly Baz writes and teaches (she even has QR codes throughout the book where you can pull up video demonstrations). It’s a winner every time, and Cookbook Club was no exception.
the l.a. cookbook
This is a really fun (and slightly more challenging) one: a compilation of recipes for beloved or signature dishes from a plethora of trendy LA restaurants, bars, and bakeries. Some of the recipes are a little daunting and some of the ingredients are a little extra, but all were delicious. Somehow we pulled it off, and it was one of our fanciest and tastiest dinners to date.
ina garten: cook like a pro, cooking for jeffrey, modern comfort
Aka, the GOAT. We’ve done an Ina Garten cookbook before, but she’s definitely worthy of a repeat. I brought her back with a new group and decided to make several of her cookbooks up for grabs — because there are just so many good recipes to choose from. And an Ina recipe never fails.
