Got a delicious cookbook collection you’d like to show off and have close at hand when you need to whip up something scrumptious? We offer up some handy storage ideas for you – and more…
Storage solutions
● Incorporate a two- or three-tier bookshelf into one end of your kitchen island.
● Think ‘cookbook storage’ for an area that seems too small or narrow to use for anything else. Floor-to-ceiling shelving, even if narrow, can hold several books.
● Stack your cookbooks on an open shelf under a kitchen counter or worktop for easy access.
● If you don’t have an open under-counter shelf, a small stack of favourite cookbooks in a metal or wicker basket on the counter will work (as long as it doesn’t clutter up the space).
● Edit your cookbook collection by keeping just one shelf’s worth, with your top five or 10 favourites. Pack the others away in your pantry, for instance. Allocate a shelf specifically for cookbooks and pack them in clear plastic containers to keep them visible, yet dust-free.
● If you have the space – and you’re an avid foodie – fill one wall with an entire bookcase dedicated to your collection.
● Stack your cookbooks on a cart or trolley and park it in a corner, ready to roll out when you need it.
● Add a hanging basket to a pot rail and slot a few frequently-used books inside.
● Create a ‘wall feature’ of cookbooks, arranged side by side, covers facing outwards, on a narrow wall shelf. This way, you can enjoy the cover designs while being able to see the titles at a glance.
● Slot those ‘non-profit’ cookbooks (we all have a few, published by churches and charities, etc) into a magazine holder mounted to the inside of a cabinet door. These are often the best recipe collections to have as they frequently contain heirloom dishes that have been handed down the generations. In fact, if you look online, these kinds of cookbooks are highly coveted by collectors.
● Pull-out shelves that recess into cabinets can offer plenty of storage for cookbooks.
● Mount metal baskets, equally spaced, on the wall for some character and practicality as they hold recipe binders and your favourite foodie magazines.
Wear and care
● Keep your cookbook collection in a spill-resistant space, away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture.
● A raised-glass top on your counter or island will allow you to slide an open cookbook underneath to read the recipe without risking spills.
● Newspaper clippings or notes slipped inside a cookbook can eventually leave dark spots on the pages. Rather put them inside a separate plastic sleeve.
● Don’t cram books too close together on a bookcase. It can make it difficult to pull them out and you can damage the spines.
● If you want to wipe something off a glossy cover, use a little water and the mildest of soaps – no harsh chemicals.
● If the cookbook is precious to you, rather write the recipe down or photocopy it instead of cooking directly from the book itself.
● Place your cookbook on the counter, cover it with plastic wrap or slot it behind the screen or shield of a cookbook stand to protect it from spills and splashes. If the stand doesn’t have a screen, pop the book inside a large, clear plastic bag.
● If you’re using a tablet, a re-sealable or zipper bag will help protect it as you read the recipe steps and use the touch screen. The Orange Chef Sleeve for iPad works with all iPads, comes in a pack of 25, is ultra-clear, touch sensitive, 100% recyclable and ships to SA.
Hints and tips
● Pick a different cookbook from your collection every month and challenge yourself to cook a few recipes from it.
● Most foodies agree that a ‘specialised’ cookbook collection, with books that focus on a particular category of food, cooking method or single subject (like chocolate, fish or vegetarian, etc) has more value than recipe books containing ‘a bit of everything’.
● List the recipes you want to try in each of your cookbooks, with page numbers, on a piece of paper in the front of the book for quick and easy reference.
● Looking for the perfect gift for a foodie (or even yourself)? You can’t go wrong with a Moleskine Recipe Journal or NoMU Recipe Box.
● Upload photos of recipes and clippings or keep a running list of dishes you want to try, using a handy online organiser like Evernote. Photos and video clips exist happily alongside links and text files, plus it’s free.
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