With raised hand “Hello my name is Rachelle and I’m a cookbook addict.”  It’s Celiac Disease Awareness Month and let me just cut to the chase and admit right here, right now, I’m a total cookbook junkie!  I don’t discriminate where cookbooks are concerned, it’s about my love for food, educating myself and a book being gluten-free is not a required.  On average I purchase 2-5 cookbooks a month.  Yes I have had to put myself on “cookbook restriction,” as it got to a point I ran out of room in my kitchen. I recently have been off restriction as I am doing some research and let me just say, I’ve gone bat shit crazy buying cookbooks again along with a new bookcase for my room!

Not helping my addiction, I attended the Austin FOOD & WINE Festival (three days of gastronomic indulgence, wine & cookbooks) or the adorable savvy business man Fabio Viviani (Top Chef, Life After Top Chef) was here in Austin on his book tour (yes I got the book & it’s got gluten-free recipes).  I walked away with four cookbooks from Austin FOOD & WINE Festival, which include:

• Momofuku Milk Bar Cookbook – I got to meet Christina Tosi at the festival.  She is one of the most awesome chicks ever and aside from her mad dancing skilz, she is a pastry chef who I have so much respect and admiration for.  She really pushes the boundaries and innovation is the name of her game.  Plus she teaches classes! Hello NYC here I come and thanks Christina for the invite!  
• Susan Feniger’s Street Food – Not only was Susan here for the Austin FOOD & WINE Festival, she was teaching a class at Central Market with a book signing before the class.  I had a few moments to spend with her before the class and got to taste her taco’s at Friday nights “Rock Your Taco’ event.
• Uchi – Tyson Cole’s restaurant name sake, I got a copy signed by Chef Tyson Cole and Chef Philip Speer for my brother who just moved back to the states after living in South Korea for the last 5 years.
• Andrew Zimmern’s Field Guide to Exceptionally Weird, Wild, and Wonderful Foods: An Intrepid Eater’s Digest.  I had the distinguished pleasure of interviewing Andrew Zimmern at the festival and am looking forward to reading his book

With living a gluten-free lifestyle, I don’t limit myself to gluten-free cookbooks.  I most certainly do have my favorites which I will share with you here, but like in life, why limit yourself? I love the challenge of taking a recipe and creating a gluten-free version that is just as good, if not better than the original.

So with no further ado here are a list of cookbooks, both gluten-free and not that I have in my home and enjoy cooking from.

Blinded by the Bite’s! Current Favorite Gluten-Free & Paleo Cookbooks:

Blinded by the Bite’s! Current Favorite Cookbooks:

Once I get my new workstation setup in my office/room I will post a picture of the work space.  It will be a haven of cookbooks, editorial calendars, notebooks filled with blog post ideas and more!  I can’t wait to start using the space.  I will post a pic once I’ve perfected the space.

What’s your favorite cookbook and why?  Please share here in the comments, as I’m always on the hunt for a good cookbook and other cooks, bakers and writers provided the best suggestions.  Can’t wait to hear about your favorite cookbooks.