Cookbook Love Podcast

Maggie Green

In this weekly podcast, host Maggie Green celebrates cookbook readers, buyers, collectors, and clubs, with interviews and conversations about the role of cookbooks in our lives. Her mission is to build and celebrate a community of people who would rather read, buy, and put on their shelf a cookbook over any other genre of book.

  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Episode 328: An Offbeat Guide to Crafting Sourdough Loaves, Flatbreads, Crackers, and More With Jonathon Stevens

    In today’s episode, I am excited to welcome Jonathan Stevens, co-owner of Hungry Ghost Bread in Northampton, Massachusetts, and the author of The Hungry Ghost Bread Book. Jonathan approaches sourdough bread with a unique philosophy: sourdough isn’t a style of bread—it is bread. His method revolves around three essential tenets: more hydration, more fermentation, and more heat in the oven.

    Today on the show:

    • Jonathan’s Philosophy on Sourdough:

      • Why sourdough is the essence of bread, not just a style.

      • Insights into his three tenets: more hydration, fermentation, and heat.

    • Recipes and Inspiration from The Hungry Ghost Bread Book:

      • Jonathan’s formulas honed over 30 years of working with sourdough for loaves, flatbreads, crackers, and more.

      • How the book and bakery merge ancient bread-making traditions with modern techniques and favorite like cookies and scones.

    • Jonathan’s Publishing Journey:

      • The story behind getting a book deal and bringing his bread-making philosophy and formulas to print.

    Whether you're a bread-making enthusiast or simply love the smell of fresh sourdough, I hope this episode inspires you to get baking. 

    Things We Mention In This Episode:

    Christmas Cookie Baking Guide by Maggie Green

    Hungry Ghost Bread

    The Hungry Ghost Bread Book

    The Bread Builders: Hearth Loaves and Masonry Ovens

    Flatbread and Flavors: A Baker’s Atlas by Naomi Duguid and Jeffrey Alford

    19 December 2024, 9:30 am
  • 43 minutes 6 seconds
    Episode 327: Exploring Babka, Baking, and Cookbook Writing with Elana Pearlman

    In today’s episode, I am excited to welcome Elana Pearlman, author of With Love and Babka: 50 Sweet and Savory Recipes for Everyone’s Favorite Braided Bread. Inspired by her grandmother's love of traditional bread, this book explores the versatility of babka, featuring doughs for every preference—from classic and chocolate to gluten-free.

    Topics of Discussion:

    • From Cakes to Babka: Elana shares her journey from running a wedding cake business to launching a mail-order babka business.

    • The Publishing Path: Insights into Elana’s journey of writing and publishing a cookbook, including her tips for building habits and routines while writing.

    • Mastering Babka: Elana’s expert advice on making babka less intimidating and how she created her unique flavor profiles.

    • Business Meets Cookbook: How Elana merged her baking business with the creative process of writing a cookbook.

    This episode is a must-listen for bakers, cookbook enthusiasts, and anyone curious about blending a baking business with cookbook creation!

    Things We Mention In This Episode:

    Christmas Cookie Baking Guide by Maggie Green

    With Love and Babka by Elana Pearlman

    With Love and Babka on Instagram

     

    12 December 2024, 9:30 am
  • 48 minutes 50 seconds
    Episode 326: Belgian Holiday Baking and Cookbook Writing with Pastry Chef Sarah Frison

    In today’s episode, I am excited to welcome Sarah Frison, the author of The Festive Belgian Bakery, a delightful book celebrating chocolate, biscuits, cakes, and desserts enjoyed during the holiday season. Sarah shares her insights into Belgian holiday traditions, culinary techniques, and the journey of writing a cookbook.

    Topics of Discussion:

    • Belgian Holiday Traditions: From St. Nicholas Day in December to Candlemas in February, Sarah walks us through the festive season in Belgium.

    • The Art of Tempering Chocolate: Why tempering is crucial for achieving the perfect shine and snap in chocolates.

    • Resources for Belgian Baking: Tips on sourcing equipment and ingredients for traditional Belgian recipes and candies.

    • Cookbook Writing and Publishing: Sarah’s advice on creating and publishing a successful cookbook.

    This episode offers a rich exploration of Belgian holiday baking and provides inspiration for anyone dreaming of writing their own cookbook!

    Things We Mention In This Episode:

    Christmas Cookie Baking Guide

    The Festive Belgian Bakery

    Anniversary House

    Callebaut Chocolate

    Sarah Frison on Substack 

     

    5 December 2024, 9:00 am
  • 37 minutes 29 seconds
    Episode 325: A Tapestry of Southern Food History with Morgan Bolling

    In today’s episode, I am excited to welcome Morgan Bolling. Morgan is the the Executive Editor of Creative Content for Cook’s Country and a cast member of the Cook’s Country TV show. Morgan spearheaded the book When Southern Women Cook: History, Lore, and 300 Recipes in collaboration with Toni Tipton-Martin. This compelling book celebrates the ways food has sustained and empowered Southern women throughout history. This episode is a thoughtful dive into:

    • The Intersection of Southern Food and History: Inside Southern culinary traditions.

    • Behind the Book: The process of creating When Southern Women Cook and how women writers and cooks were selected to share their stories.

    • Food as a Lens: How food provides insight into shared history and cultural understanding.

    • Empowering Women Through Food: The role of food as a tool for resilience and empowerment in the South.

    Things We Mention In This Episode

    When Southern Women Cook

    Cook’s Country

    Gourmet’s vintage 1960s cookbook

     

    28 November 2024, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 6 seconds
    Episode 324: From Ballet to Brunch: Jessie-Sierra Ross on Effortless Entertaining and Seasonal Feasts

    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

     

    21 November 2024, 9:30 am
  • 45 minutes 55 seconds
    Episode 323: Developing Copycat Recipes with Erica Walker of Favorite Family Recipes

    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

     

    14 November 2024, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Episode 322: Revising a Classic: The 35th Anniversary Edition of The Cake Bible with Rose Levy Beranbaum

    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

     

    7 November 2024, 9:00 am
  • 41 minutes 55 seconds
    Episode 321: Being a Cookbook Co-Author: A Couple Cooks with Sonja Overhiser

    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

     

    31 October 2024, 7:00 am
  • 5 minutes 27 seconds
    Special Announcement: From Kitchen To Keepsake Bootcamp

    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.
    29 October 2024, 7:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Episode 320: Writing a Cookbook for The King Arthur Baking Company with Staff Editor Jessica Battilana

    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

     

    24 October 2024, 8:30 am
  • 44 minutes 33 seconds
    Episode 319: Being Cookbook Co-Authors: That Takes the Cookie with Ryan Alvarez and Adam Merrin

    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

     

    17 October 2024, 8:30 am
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