Did you know that October is National Cookbook Month? Recipes are easier than ever to find online, but sometimes that convenience comes with endless scrolling, pop-up ads and paragraphs of commentary before reaching the first list of ingredients.
A good cookbook offers something the internet can’t: the nostalgia of physically turning those pages, just like grandma did. With that in mind, let your taste buds lead you on a culinary journey that begins at the library.
Discover New Cuisines
Cookbooks open the door to culinary traditions around the globe. Trying recipes from different cultures is a great way to incorporate unique ingredients and learn new cooking techniques.
➡️ Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from my Kitchen in México
➡️ Israeli Soul
➡️ Chinese Enough
➡️ Italian Cooking with Nonna
Travel the World
Want to learn more about a specific country or dish? Jump onto A to Z World Food database to explore popular foods, cultural favorites, as well as country-specific dining etiquette. There are even food preparation video tutorials and hacks like how to use a jar to peel hard-boiled eggs.
Inspiration for Everyday Meals
The hardest part about adulthood is answering the question, “what is for dinner?” Between busy schedules, dietary preferences and ingredient limitations, planning meals can quickly become overwhelming. Don’t fret, there are cookbooks for quick dinners to fit all types of dietary needs.
➡️What’s for Dinner? 358 Dishes that Make Mealtime a Snap
➡️In for Dinner: 101 Delicious Affordable Recipes to Share
➡️The Vegan Week
➡️Healthier Gluten-Free
Get the Family Involved
Having the kiddos in the kitchen is more than just an extra set of hands — it’s an opportunity to create meaningful memories while also teaching a life skill. Cooking begins with creativity and leads to confidence. From measuring ingredients to stirring batter, every task builds fine motor skills and introduces basic math and science concepts in a hands-on environment.
Don’t know where to start? The library offers monthly culinary events such as Let’s Cook! and Cook Book Club. Want to try at home? We suggest these titles:
➡️My First Cookbook: Fun Recipes to Cook Together
➡️Kids Can Cook Anything
➡️Bluey and Bingo’s Fancy Restaurant Cookbook
➡️The No-Cook Cookbook
Local Flair and Flavor
The specialties of local cuisines and recipes reflect a region’s geography, history and culture. So, why not check out a vintage or Ozarkian recipe! It’s all in the Lucille Anderson History Room at the Ozark Branch. Some materials can be taken home, and others must be viewed in the library. For a full list of the local history collection, click here.
➡️4-H Cook Book
➡️Cookbook compiled by the Home Garden Club
➡️Just Like Mother Made Ozark Recipes
➡️High on the Hog Good Eatin’ Hillbilly Recipes
The Cooking Tools You Need to Get the Job Done
You’ve found an amazing cake recipe and can’t wait to try it. The only problem is that it requires a stand mixer, ice cream maker and special bundt pan. Good news! It’s all at the library. We are your secret ingredient with all different types of bakeware available, including pans, decorative tools and storage containers for checkout.
Make it a good thyme for fun in the kitchen this month with your library card.
