Everything Old is New Again: Cookbooks

With a  salute to Carrie Campbell of "Cookbook Divas." 

If you enjoy cooking or baking, chances are you have a dedicated spot for your cookbooks and own more than you need. For many of us, cookbooks are like an "addiction." We sometimes collect the latest cookbooks from one of our favorite celebrity chefs, vintage cookbooks, or even books solely with a theme like holiday cookies or weekday casseroles. We may hang onto a cookbook because it is filled with many of our favorite recipes, and sometimes, it is just one favorite and noteworthy recipe in a prized book. 

The photos are a journey through a few of my oldest and favorite collections of at least 40 cookbooks. 

Printed 1984
Celebrating her 13th edition 

The types of cookbooks to collect are endless. There are even collections of recipes that have been self-published from churches, clubs, school projects, and even families. If you collect cookbooks, you have at least one of those self-published projects on your dedicated shelf. There are cookbooks published by companies using our favorite brands, like canned soup or flour. 

Printed 1972 with a comb binding.
In 1974, I was making hummus before it could
be found at the supermarkets. 

Printed 1978
The vegetarian split pea soup with barley is the best! 

Printed 1985
Everyone was making "Chicken Marbella." 

Sometimes, we collect cookbooks as mementos from unique visits and vacations. They're affordable souvenirs and easy to pack back home. When visiting a state or different country, they make great gifts, when a loved one says, "Bring me back something."

Printed 1994
A visit to his fan club party
Momma Ruth's Mac & Cheese - Delish! 

Printed 1994
A visit to Dollywood
Epicurious names this book a "National Treasure."

Yes, I am guilty of collecting cookbooks. It probably started when I received my first cookbook for a high school graduation gift, "The Joy of Cooking," by Irma S. Rombauer, a homemaker looking to add to the family income. It's one of the most-published cookbooks, having been in print since 1936 and selling over 20 million copies. Julia Child would interview Rombauer and later admit she would be testing out the Joy of Cooking recipes. 

Print 1972 - Irma Rombauer
From soup to nuts

                                                      

Printed 1968
A companion to her TV series

Although the cookbooks may be old, they become new every time a favorite tried-and-true recipe is reintroduced and enjoyed.