Your Guide to Dinner Inspiration in 2013!

Finding inspiration for meal ideas, in theory, should be easier now than ever before. There are so many food blogs, recipe websites, fantastic cookbooks and of course, Pinterest, to help with visual inspiration. But when it comes down to it, a personal recommendation is often what saves the day. So, without further ado, here are some personal recommendations from us (and our community) to finding inspiration for your next meal!

(For the recipe for this Smoky Minestrone with Tortellini from Food 52, click here)

Cookbooks

Really, there’s nothing like flipping through a cookbook to get the old juices flowing. After all, a great cookbook is so much more than a series of recipes and photos, it’s a guide to what promises to be a fabulous meal in your home. For us, photos are key. Here are a few of the best, most exciting and inspiring cookbooks we recommend.

• Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach.  Jenny’s inspiring blog has been transformed into a cookbook that you can now hold with your own hands. We love the uplifting anecdotes that accompany each recipe. Reading Jenny is like having a sister or friend right beside you as you cook.

• Whitewater Cooks by Shelley Adams. We love that she’s local but that aside, Shelley’s two books are both full of inspiring, delicious, simple fresh ideas for meals of all kinds.

• The Rebar Modern Food Cookbook by Audrey Alsterburg and Wanda Urbanowicz is fantastic. Fresh, exciting meals but for days when you have time on your hands. Most are pretty labour intensive, but definitely inspiring!

• Nigella Bites by Nigella Lawson. She’s made a name for herself and it’s no wonder why.  She says the recipes are arranged according to “your life, your timetable and your mood.” Happens to be a favourite of Lesley Stowe.

• The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook by Deb Perelman. Her uber popular blog has been transformed into a colourful New York Times bestseller.

(For the recipe for this Sausage & Kale Dinner Tart from Food 52, click here.)

Blogs

In a pinch, a quick blog search can be the ticket to your next great meal.  You can even search using ingredients on hand: genius! P.S. Don’t be intimidated by some of the fancier recipes on some of these sites. We’ve found so many amazing, family friendly meals on all of these places.

Mark Bittman

Dash and Bella

The Kid Can Cook

Donna Hay

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

Epicurious

Food 52

Food Republic

Pinterest:

Pinterest: enough said! If you’re a visual person, this is the place for you. Simply search “food”, “dinner” or whatever you want to cook i.e. “chicken” and enjoy tons of visual inspiration. Another idea is to visit some of the great pages out there- such as Rachel Ray, Lunchalicious, and, of course ours!

Did we miss anything? Tell us where you’ll go for inspiration for your next meal here!