Stop making the same old grilled cheese and start making fresh recipes from the experts.
The transition from summer to fall isn’t always easy, whether that means going back to school or getting used to the chill in the air. However, that doesn’t mean your cooking game has to falter. We’ve rounded up the best books featuring cheese-laden recipes to make well into the winter. By the time the holidays roll around, you’ll know exactly what you’re serving (and maybe gifting, too).
Everyday Eats: 100 Simple and Healthy Recipes for Real Life by Alex Snodgrass (William Morrow Cookbooks, $36)
“With each of my cookbooks, I want to remind you that you don’t have to be an expert or spend hours in the kitchen to eat and live well,” says bestselling author Alex Snodgrass. This time, she’s written another entry in the approachable cookbook genre with Everyday Eats, a collection of 100 recipes utilizing only a few ingredients each–perfect for those nights when you’re staring at several neglected items in the fridge, freezer, or pantry, but don’t want to order take-out. The Greek-inspired chicken and orzo bake is calling our names, especially since it’s topped with lots of feta. Available now.
Cheesy: 50 Boards & Recipes, from Fondue & Poutine to Grilled Cheese & Cheesecake by Farideh Sadeghin (Chronicle Books, $27.95)
Can you call yourself a cheese devotee if you don’t own a book called Cheesy? Veteran chef Farideh Sadeghin of SAVEUR and Vice Munchies fame has put together 50 recipes and cheese boards in a colorfully-bound (and just plain fun) volume. Recipes include homemade accoutrements that’ll upgrade your plate, from onion jam to candied nuts; after that, the table of contents is organized by season. Unlike other cookbooks on this list, every recipe in Cheesy is guaranteed to use cheese, often creatively–think Asiago and Kimchi Biscuits with Gochujang Butter, Miso and Lemon Cacio e Pepe, Grilled Provolone with Olive Chimichurri, and more. Run, don’t walk to your local bookstore! Available Sept. 8.
The Cheese Lover’s Guide: A Flavor-Focused Approach to the World of Cheese by Jenny Linford (DK, $24.99)
Food writer Jenny Linford has written a superb accompaniment for anyone who’s looking to deepen their knowledge of cheese or hopping on the grazing table trend a little later than their friends. Palate cultivation is a high priority for Lindford, hence the title and the 100 tasting ideas within. This book makes a great gift for the real cheese connoisseurs in your life (plus a special wheel from your local cheesemonger, of course). Available Sept. 8.
Oversharing: Anytime Snacks, Everyday Dinners, and Cooking for Company by Cortney LaCorte (Union Square & Co., $35)
Instagram-famous Cortney LaCorte of @cheesegal makes her cookbook debut with Oversharing. “This book is my invitation to cook with confidence, gather your favorite people around the table, and make even an ordinary Tuesday feel a little more special,” LaCorte says on her website. If one of your goals this fall is to entertain more—whether that means inviting a friend over for light bites and a Real Housewives marathon or hosting an intimate dinner party—this would be an excellent companion to have on hand. One recipe we’re looking forward to trying is for a simple wedge salad elevated by a cacio e pepe/Pecorino Romano dressing. Available Sept. 15.
Zameen by Sultan Ahmed (Ten16 Press, $39.99)
Sultan Ahmed is the chef behind Madison, Wisconsin’s Sultan Restaurant, a spot featuring modern Pakistani and Punjabi cuisine with a farm-to-table twist. His forthcoming cookbook honors his South Asian heritage, the region’s history as a global trade hub that utilized flavors from Thailand and Indonesia, and celebrates his appreciation for the abundant produce and dairy offerings of the Badger State. Inside, you’ll find exquisite photos by culture contributing photographer Kayla Gendron and a table of contents organized by “the Midwest growing year.” A standout recipe for Paneer Rangeela, or “colorful paneer,” puts a seared piece of the cheese front and center alongside a honey-ginger-lime yogurt, Thai-fusion saffron curry, and more. Available late Sept.
The Lost Kitchen Volume 3: Seize the Supper by Erin French (Celadon Books, $40)
Erin French, chef and owner of The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine, returns this autumn with the third installment in her cookbook series. Seize the Supper is about the joy of living in the moment by making food choices grounded in seasonality. Cheese plays a large role in doing just that, sometimes as the third ingredient rounding out a dish with satiating protein, as in French’s Soft Polenta with Honey & Ricotta or Pear, Walnut, and Blue Cheese Waldorf salad. Each recipe is curated with satisfying precision, and perhaps a dose of hygge too. Available Oct. 13.
Simply Ina by Ina Garten (Clarkson Potter, $40)
Ina Garten’s dropping 85 new recipes upon us mere mortals via Simply Ina. Her goal is to showcase the art of streamlined cooking and “achieving the best flavor with the least amount of effort.” One recipe that piqued our interest is for an Irish Coffee Affogato, which sounds like the perfect beverage for brisk October evenings and dairy lovers who enjoy eating ice cream all year round. Available Oct. 20.
A Passport to Cheese: 75 Inspiring Recipes from Around the World by Afrim Pristine (Appetite by Random House, $30)
To eat cheese is to taste the globe, and no one understands this better than the world’s youngest maître fromager: Afrim Pristine. In this cookbook, the co-owner of Toronto’s Cheese Boutique takes readers on a culinary journey through cheese dishes. Expect European classics like a French croque monsieur with Comté, as well as entries from farther abroad such as macaroni pie with aged cheddar and jerk spices hailing from Jamaica. Pristine also includes a guide to keeping cheese fresh, so you can make these recipes on repeat. Available Nov. 3.
Alana Pedalino
Alana Pedalino serves as Managing Editor of culture. Her work has been featured in Bon Appétit, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and more. She loves to write, cook, and kayak. Find her bylines at alanapedalino.com.
