At my day job recently, I was asked to share some of my favorite cookbooks along with corresponding gifts for anyone on your shopping list who loves to spend time in the kitchen.

For me, looking through a cookbook is a bit like looking through a photo album. I remember the times with family and friends associated with the meals I’ve made. I remember the “food phase” I was in when the book came into my life (vegetarian? obsessed with goat cheese? craving Asian food?). And best of all, I remember all of the dishes I still want to make but haven’t gotten to yet.

Right away, my assignment inspired me to get into the kitchen. I got back to my cooking roots with the Cream of Spinach soup from The New Moosewood Cookbook topped with chunks of homemade bread made from The New Artisan Bread. I toasted the bread cubes in butter, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small skillet and piled them in the center of the soup. Grated Pecorino Romano is showered over the whole bowl.

Happy cooking! And shopping!