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Modern cooks have a wealth of online recipes thanks to sites like Epicurious, Bon Appétit, and Food Network; however, there’s an undeniable charm to turning the pages of a traditional cookbook, especially because a physical book can be revisited year after year without disappearing into the digital void.
As the new year approaches, we selected five of our favorite cookbooks published in 2023 by Colorado authors to inspire your forthcoming kitchen endeavors.
Muy Bueno: Fiestas
By Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack
In her 304-page ode to the unifying power of cooking, Highlands Ranch–based food blogger Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack shares her personal take on the Mexican culinary tradition. The recipes inside Muy Bueno draw inspiration from the author’s late grandmother’s recipes from northern Mexico, her mother’s cooking during her childhood in El Paso, and her own travels south of the Rio Grande. From Valentine’s Day–ready, heart-shaped berry empanadas to chile-braised pork ribs for Día de los Muertos, this collection will guide you through all of your celebratory meals in 2024. Available online
The Global Pantry Cookbook
By Scott Mowbray and Ann Taylor Pittman
Innovating a dish sometimes just means adding an unexpected flavor. Scott Mowbray, a former 5280 restaurant critic now living in Boulder, and Alabama-based writer Ann Taylor Pittman know this well, as they spent more than two years researching 65 international sauces, spices, and other pantry staples to compile The Global Pantry Cookbook, which harnesses all that the world’s culinarians have to offer. Try infusing savory corn pancakes with a hint of Tajín, or boost your next chuck roast with the oyster sauce that’s been hiding in your fridge for a couple months. With more than 120 recipes, tasting notes, and shopping and cooking tips, your kitchen is bound to become more exciting. Available online
Caribbean Paleo: 75 Wholesome Dishes Celebrating Tropical Cuisine and Culture
By Althea Brown
Denver resident Althea Brown has garnered a devoted following on her Guyanese food blog, Metemgee, and it’s not hard to see why. Born and raised in Georgetown, Guyana, Brown offers flavorful Caribbean-inspired recipes that prioritize accessibility to those with dietary restrictions. Her first cookbook expands on her blog, presenting health-conscious, Paleo-friendly versions of classic Caribbean dishes. The vibrant compendium features 75 recipes—from beef patties that swap wheat flour for green plantains in their pastry dough to cassava-based macaroni pie, a Caribbean version of mac and cheese, to a coconut baked custard free of processed sugar. Available online
The Asian Hot Pot Cookbook
By Amy Kimoto-Kahn
“For my family, hot pot nights are when we’re excited to come to the table to share our day with each other and cook together,” Amy Kimoto-Kahn says in her latest book, The Asian Hot Pot Cookbook. Wanting to extend this commensality to your family, Kimoto-Kahn, a fourth-generation Japanese-American based in Boulder, outlines the fundamentals of Asian one-pot meals and highlights their incredible versatility. Whether you want a classic Japanese shabu-shabu or a creative way to clean out your refrigerator, the 70-plus recipes in the cookbook—which includes broths, sauces, sides, and desserts, as well as a list of essential hot pot equipment—has got you covered. Available online
101 Things To Do With a Smoker
By Eliza Cross
Colorado native Eliza Cross’s latest addition to her 101 Things series (previous titles include 101 Things To Do With Bacon and 101 Things To Do With Pickles) is essential for those just beginning to explore the world of smoking food. 101 Things To Do With a Smoker provides readers with comprehensive guides on how to smoke everything from breakfast quiche to peanut butter cup s’mores. Don’t worry if you lack the latest hardware: The book is designed for novice users of multiple types of smokers and pellet grills. In addition to the main meal recipes, Cross shares her formulas for crafting your own brines, rubs, and sauces, ensuring that every aspect of your smoking experience is truly exceptional. Available online
