Cookbook Love Podcast

In today’s episode, I welcome Jessie-Sierra Ross. Jessie is a former professional ballerina turned food and lifestyle blogger. She’s the creative mind behind the blog Straight to the Hips, Baby, where she shares her elegant yet approachable style of cooking, cocktails, and home entertaining.

We dive into Jessie’s transition from the world of ballet to the arena of home entertaining, discussing:

• Transition from Ballet to Blogging: Jessie shares her journey from ballet slippers to blogging, detailing how her background in the performing arts shaped her approach to food and entertaining.

• Building a Brand: Jessie’s advice on developing a distinct brand style, centered on content pillars and being true to your interests.

• Highlights from Seasons Around the Table: A look at Jessie’s new book, which celebrates seasonal cooking, floral tablescapes, and effortless entertaining.

• Thanksgiving Tips: Jessie’s top tips for a seasonal Thanksgiving feast, including ideas for tablescaping and decor that will bring warmth and sophistication to the holiday table.

Things We Mention In This Episode

Straight to the Hips, Baby

Seasons Around the Table

Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Tartine Bread

 

In today’s episode, I interview Erica Walker, one of the four sisters behind Favorite Family Recipes, a blog that has grown from a family recipe swap into a platform featuring over 1,000 recipes and reaching more than 2 million visitors each month. Erica shares insights from their newest cookbook, Most Requested Copycat Dishes: 101 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Restaurant Recipes, along with tips on recreating restaurant-quality dishes at home.

About Favorite Family Recipes

• Founded by Erica and her three sisters to share recipes among family
• Now features over 1,000 recipes with a monthly audience of 2 million+ readers
• Known for user-friendly recipes and family-favorite dishes

Highlights from Most Requested Copycat Dishes

• Features 101 homemade versions of beloved restaurant recipes
• Includes insider tips and step-by-step photo instructions for more challenging dishes
• Perfect for both seasoned chefs and enthusiastic home cooks

Discussion Points

• Popular and Requested Recipes: Erica talks about some of the blog's top recipes and fan favorites
• Fall Recipe Favorites: A look at Erica’s favorite recipes for the fall season
• Top Ten Tips for Creating Copycat Recipes: Erica’s best advice for recreating restaurant dishes at home

Things We Mention In This Episode

Most Requested Copy Cat Dishes

Favorite Family Recipes

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

 

In today’s episode, I’m excited to have an interview with Rose Levy Beranbaum. Rose is a legendary baking expert and author whose books have been translated into multiple languages, including Mandarin, Czech, Russian, and Spanish. Known as the "diva of desserts" and "the most meticulous baker who ever lived," Rose has published thirteen award-winning books, including The Cake Bible, Rose’s Heavenly Cakes, and Rose’s Christmas Cookies.

Today, we dive into the exciting release of the 35th Anniversary Edition of The Cake Bible, which Rose has fully revised and updated with her husband, Woody Wolston. This edition brings fresh photography, essential new content, and special occasion cakes designed for weddings or to serve large groups.

In this episode, we discuss:

Revising The Cake Bible

• The process of updating a classic cookbook after 35 years
• New additions, including:
• Foundational cakes for every baker
• Showstopper cakes for special occasions
• Formulas to scale recipes based on the number of servings
• Photography that brings the book to life for modern readers

The Author’s Mindset & Longevity

• Rose’s approach to being a back-listed author and keeping her books relevant
• How she balances creativity with consistency in her writing and recipes
• The routines and habits that help her stay focused on writing and testing recipes

Advice for Aspiring Writers & Cookbook Authors

• Rose’s wisdom on the discipline and patience required to become a successful author
• Her top tips for aspiring cookbook writers
• The importance of testing in creating foolproof recipes

Things We Mention In This Episode

Connect with Rose Levy Beranbaum online

The Cake Bible 35th Anniversary Edition

 

In today’s episode, I’m excited to have an interview with Sonja Overhiser, one of the creative minds behind the award-winning blog A Couple Cooks. Along with her husband Alex, Sonja has built a global following for their healthy, plant-based recipes and expertise in cocktails. Their work has been featured in Food & Wine and The Washington Post, and their blog receives millions of visitors each month. We dive into their journey from fast food to cooking from scratch, the growth of their blog, and the behind-the-scenes process of pitching and reconfiguring their book idea to land a publishing deal. Sonja also shares insights on their new book, A Couple Cooks, offering practical tips for aspiring cookbook writers along the way.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Evolution of A Couple Cooks

• How Sonja and Alex transitioned from a fast-food lifestyle to a mostly plant-based, from-scratch diet
• The inspiration behind starting their blog in 2010
• Their mission to connect readers all over the world with healthy, approachable recipes

Building a Brand and Getting Published

• The journey of turning a passion for food into an award-winning blog with millions of visitors each month
• How they pitched the concept of their book to publishers and reworked it to secure a deal
• Their experience working with major publications like Food & Wine and The Washington Post

Behind the Scenes of A Couple Cooks (The Book)

• Sonja’s and Alex’s message for readers and what they hope to inspire
• The unique cooking method featured in the book: circle and square icons to help couples or friends cook together seamlessly
• Their rigorous recipe testing process to ensure high-quality, fail-proof recipes for every home cook

Tips for Aspiring Cookbook Writers

• Sonja’s advice for aspiring authors seeking a book deal
• The importance of brand-building and developing a clear message before approaching publishers
• How to navigate the process of writing, pitching, and refining a cookbook concept

Things We Mention In This Episode

Join the From Kitchen to Keepsake Bootcamp which begins Monday, November 4th

A Couple Cooks

The Way to Cook by Julia Child

 

Welcome to this special announcement edition of the Cookbook Love Podcast.

Do you want to turn your recipes, stories, and memories into a beautiful keepsake cookbook? I am hosting a bootcamp from Monday, November 4th - Thursday, November 7th at 11:00 AM EST called From Kitchen to Keepsake Bootcamp.

Don’t wait any longer to create the cookbook you’ve always dreamed of. This bootcamp gives you the structure, support, and tools you need to turn your favorite recipes and stories into a keepsake you’ll be proud to share. Let’s make this the year you finally get it done!

Here’s What You’ll Learn Over 4 Days:

• Gather & Organize Recipes: Finally get those scattered recipes in one place, ready to be turned into a keepsake cookbook.
• Design Your Cookbook with Ease: Use Canva to create a beautiful layout, even if you’re not a designer.
• Create a Plan to Finish: Break the project into simple, manageable steps so you can complete your cookbook without feeling overwhelmed.
• Explore Publishing Options: Learn how to self-publish your cookbook with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).

What’s Included:

• 4 Live Sessions: 30 minutes of teaching + 30 minutes of Q&A each day. 
• Templates & Tools: Ideas for cookbook layouts, recipe trackers, and more to keep you organized. 
• Replay Access: Access to watch the recordings if you can’t attend live.

In today’s episode, I’m excited to bring you an interview with Jessica Battilana. Jessica is the staff editor at King Arthur Baking company and the co-author of The Big Book of Bread. Along with Martin Philip and Melanie Wanders, Jessica helped write and create their newest book that offers a comprehensive collection of over 125 bread recipes for bakers of all levels.

During our conversation, Jessica shares insights into the King Arthur Baking Company, the inspiration behind The Big Book of Bread, and what it was like to collaborate on a cookbook for such a renowned brand. We also dive into some of the book’s unique features, including an index organized by time, flour type, and baking timelines for each recipe—plus, we explore the helpful King Arthur Baker’s Hotline, designed to support bakers at every step.

In this episode, we discuss:

About King Arthur Baking Company

• The history and mission of King Arthur Baking Company

• Why they are a trusted name in baking and cookbooks

Creating The Big Book of Bread

• The inspiration behind the book and its focus on bread

• The collaborative process with co-authors Martin Philip and Melanie Wanders

Key Features of the Book

• User-friendly design for bakers of all skill levels

• Indexing by time, flour type, and recipe difficulty

• Detailed timelines to help bakers plan their day around bread-making

Baker’s Hotline & Extra Support

• How the King Arthur Baker’s Hotline supports bakers with expert advice

• Tips on how to get the most out of the hotline for troubleshooting and guidance

Jessica’s Personal Insights

• Jessica’s favorite recipes from The Big Book of Bread

• Her personal tips and tricks for perfecting your bread-baking skills

Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this incredible bread bible and get inspired to bake your next loaf!

Things We Mention In This Episode

King Arthur Baking Company

The Big Book of Bread

Zuni Cafe by Judy Rogers

 

In today’s episode, I’m excited to interview Ryan Alvarez and Adam Merrin, the duo behind the popular blog Husbands That Cook. Since 2015, Ryan and Adam have been cooking together in their cozy kitchen in Eagle Rock, California, and their blog has earned numerous accolades, including being a finalist for Saveur magazine’s Best How-To Cooking Blog Award and a nominee for Taste Talks’ Best Food Blog Award.

Their debut cookbook Husbands That Cook was published in 2019, and now they’re back with their latest release, That Takes The Cookie, which hit shelves on November 12, 2024. This beautifully designed book offers 85 brand-new cookie recipes for every craving and occasion—from classic favorites to inventive new twists. Whether you’re a fan of sweet, salty, chocolatey, or fruity treats, this book has something for everyone!

In this episode, we discuss:

The Journey Behind That Takes The Cookie

• How Husbands That Cook evolved from a blog to a cookbook

• Inspiration behind their second book, That Takes The Cookie

• What sets this cookie book apart from others on the market

What’s Inside the Book

• 85 brand-new cookie recipes, covering:

• Sweet and salty combinations

• Crispy, chewy, and chocolatey options

• Fruity and nutty variations

• Creative spins on timeless classics

• A chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the book, highlighting their favorite recipes

The Creative Process

• How Ryan and Adam test, write, and photograph each recipe

• The challenges of ensuring consistency in cookie recipes

• Their approach to making the book both visually appealing and easy to use

Tips for Cookie Bakers

• Baking tips for fall-inspired cookies, perfect for the current season

• Ideas for customizing and experimenting with your cookie creations

• Their clever method for making endless vanilla extract at home

Things We Mention In This Episode

That Takes the Cookie

Husbands that Cook

Oven Thermometer

Digital Kitchen Scale

Joy of Cooking

The Cookie Book by Rebecca Firth

 

Welcome to another episode of the podcast! Today, I’m joined by Kiano Moju. Kiano is a Kenyan-Nigerian American recipe developer, producer, director, video host, and the author of her new book, Afri Cali: Recipes from My Jikoni.

Kiano’s culinary identity is a unique fusion of her Kenyan and Nigerian heritage, her upbringing in California’s diverse food culture, and her experiences traveling abroad. You may recognize Kiano from her time as a creative video producer at BuzzFeed’s Tasty, where her recipe videos garnered over 100 million views. Since departing from BuzzFeed in 2019, Kiano has launched her own media company and founded The Jikoni Recipe Archive, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and celebrating the diverse cuisine of Africa and its diaspora.

In this episode, Kiano and I discuss:

• African food as everyday food: How to incorporate African cuisine into your regular cooking routine, making it both accessible and enjoyable.
• 3rd Culture Cooking: Kiano shares her perspective on blending cultural influences from different backgrounds into a unique culinary identity.
• Accessible global flavors: We talk about making African recipes approachable for home cooks, even when certain ingredients may be hard to find.
• Capturing family recipes: Kiano explains her process for turning oral, unwritten family recipes into structured, easy-to-follow recipes for her cookbook, preserving these treasured dishes for future generations.

If you’re interested in learning how to incorporate African flavors into your everyday cooking, or you want to hear more about Kiano’s journey from BuzzFeed to running her own media company, this episode is for you. Join us for a conversation about culture, food, and the art of preserving culinary heritage.

Things We Mention In This Episode

Jikoni Recipe Archive

Kiano Moju

Afri Cali: Recipes from My Jikoni

Dishoom: From Bombay with Love

 

Hello, and welcome to another episode of the podcast. Today, I have an interview with Caitlin Prettyman. Caitlin is the creator and photographer behind the popular food blog "Kalefornia Kravings". Catlin loves sharing fun, vibrant recipes that are full of flavor and made with better-for-ingredients. Being a born & raised San Diegan, she is mostly known for her easy-to-follow recipes utilizing fresh local ingredients found on the California Coast. In our conversation today we talked about Caitlin’s new cookbook, Fast & Fresh Cal-Mex Cooking that provides a fresh California spin on Tex-Mex cuisine using an array of nourishing vegetables, fresh herbs, citrus juice, zesty salsas, sauces and healthy proteins. We also discuss Caitlin’s publishing journey, her tips for writing a cookbook, and her advice for first time cookbook writers. 

Things We Mention In This Episode

Fast & Fresh Cal-Mex Cooking

Kalefornia Kravings

Betty Crocker’s Cookbook

 

 

Hello, and welcome to another episode of the podcast. Today, I have an interview with Diana Goldman. Diana Goldman is a chef, food photographer, and culinary educator based in Boston. She is the creator of Beantown Kitchen and author of the new cookbook Plants for You. Diana teaches all about plant-based cuisine and shares her passion for wholesome, flavorful food which shines through in every recipe she makes. In our conversation today we talk all about Diana’s journey writing a cookbook, her success with orchestrating testing with over 50 recipe testers for her book, her tips for going PRO as she learned from the book the War of Art and how she invites creative energy to support and inspire her when working on her food and writing projects. 

Things We Mention In This Episode

Connect with Diana Goldman online

Plants for You Cookbook

The Vegetarian Flavor Bible 

The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield