Best Comfort Cookbooks
When a blustery day is in the forecast, and it’s time for “a little smackerel of something,” take a cue from a famous literary bear and reach for a pot—crock, stock, or instant—to tickle your taste buds and treat your tummy. So, next time you’re craving a meal that’s like a hug in a bowl, here’s a lip-smacking sampling from our cookbook collection to help you get started.
Soup (& more) is On!
What offers more comfort than a piping hot soup or stew on a cold winter day? We don’t know either! One-pot meals are a thrifty cook’s BFF (best food friend), boasting big flavour to savour while typically using fewer and cheaper ingredients, like lentils and tougher cuts of meat. You save time and money!
Whether you’re keeping cozy indoors or back from a romp in the snow, these books have recipes to please every palate and warm you inside and out.
SLOWER IS BETTER
It's hard to imagine how Chef Ricardo Larrivée could top his bestselling cookbook, Slow Cooker Favourites, but indeed he did with this indispensable follow-up volume of slow recipes for hurried lives. Borrow any or every cookbook by this author. You won't be disappointed. Ricardo's one-pot recipes are simple and simply tasty.
Borrow Slower is Better by Ricardo
THE BONE BROTH SECRET
Well, the secret is out! Chock-full of research, how-tos, and tips, this inventive cookbook offers a practical, playful, and delicious approach to improving your digestion, energy, and moods. With over 100 gut-healing recipes for broths, elixirs, main dishes, breads, desserts, cocktails, and more—Louise and Heather show you how to add a dose of nourishment into every aspect of your diet.
Borrow The Bone Broth Secret by Louise Hay and Heather Dane
THE SOUP SISTERS AND BROTH BROTHERS COOKBOOK
A companion volume to The Soup Sisters Cookbook and The Soup Sisters Family Cookbook. Founded in 2008, Soup Sisters is a Calgary-based non-profit enterprise that organizes multiple volunteer soup-making events across the country every month to produce soup for women, children, and youth in need. They believe in the power of soup and the nutrition, comfort, and warmth that the gift of soup can bring. The Soup Sisters' growing network of supporters collectively cook up more than 10,000 servings of soup every month. Proudly—and deliciously—Canadian.
Borrow The Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers Cookbook edited by Sharon Hapton
ONE DISH FAVOURITES
Who hasn't got a favourite recipe from the test kitchen of Canadian Living magazine? Generations of Canadian cooks will agree these recipes stand the test of time. In this volume, you'll find more than 90 Test-Till-Perfect recipes, including soups, stews, salads, casseroles, skillets, and stir-fries. When it comes from Canadian Living, it's going to taste great—guaranteed.
Borrow One Dish Favourites by Canadian Living
THE SIMPLY COMFORTS STEP-BY-STEP INSTANT POT COOKBOOK
Superstar blogger Jeffrey Eisner combines the magic of your favourite comfort food meals, the speed and simplicity of your favourite kitchen appliance, and his signature friendly guidance to make you an expert in your own kitchen. Offered with a serving of colour photos showing every step to making each delectable dish. Bon appetit!
Borrow The Simply Comforts Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook by Jeffrey Eisner
THE ULTIMATE DUTCH OVEN COOKBOOK
Like a well-used iron skillet, your Dutch oven can become a beloved family heirloom, along with its pot-perfect recipes. Through 60 mouth-watering recipes, Emily and Matt Clifton show you just how practical and exciting this essential kitchen appliance can be. Be it sweet or savoury, long-simmered or last-minute, there is little you can't do in your Dutch oven—your dinners will never feel dull or complicated again.
Borrow The Ultimate Dutch Oven Cookbook by Emily and Matt Clifton
INSTANT POT SOUPS
There's a reason why the Instant Pot is all the rage—the proof is literally in the pot! This inspired collection of 70+ soups of every variety are quick, easy, and full of flavour. Chunky and smooth soups, chili, ramen, stew, chowder, gumbo, posole, bisques, and broths. The Instant Pot cooks every type of soup in less time than traditional methods and traps in all the flavours of the fresh ingredients. Full of modern techniques and international influence, these easy, step-by-step recipes lead the way to delicious, stress-free soups.
Borrow Instant Pot Soups by Alexis Mersel
SIMPLY PHO
Helen Le has helped thousands of home cooks prepare delicious Vietnamese food in the easiest, fastest, and most authentic way through her YouTube channel. In this volume, she shares 75 homemade Vietnamese recipes, including everyone's favourite—pho. Along with simple and quick (and not-so-quick) versions of this popular soup, Helen offers easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions for making fresh pho noodles, fresh spring rolls, dipping sauces, flavoured oils, pho aromatics, and so much more.
Borrow Simply Pho by Helen Le
SLOW COOKER
Digital magazines in our OverDrive collection are always available, so you never have to place a hold or wait. This can be a great help to cooks looking for last-minute inspiration. Tucked in this volume are a wide variety of slow cooker recipes, including an irresistible section called "Bowls of Bliss."
Borrow Slow Cooker by Better Homes & Gardens
Looking for More?
Explore our extensive cookbook collection available in print and digital formats. Try using these keywords when searching our online catalogue: soup, stew, instant pot, slow cooker, crockpot, comfort food. Also check out our Staff Picks booklist of home cooked comfort. And don’t forget—if you need help finding that perfect recipe book, just ask our friendly staff.
(And that fictional foodie bear... Winnie the Pooh, of course!)
