Since breakfast is the theme this week, I thought I'd dust off an old favorite cookbook to share with you: Marion Cunningham's The Breakfast Cookbook. This book has been on my bookshelf for years and has never failed me when it comes to authentic, fool-proof breakfast recipes.
Now well into her 80s, Marion Cunningham has been an inspiring grandmother figure to many cooks, some rather well-known. (Readers of Ruth Reichl's memoirs will remember how Marion mentored Ruth in food and in life, including how to overcome paralyzing fear in the final driving-over-the-Bay-Bridge scene in Tender at the Bone.) She is perhaps most famous for writing The Fanny Farmer Cookbook, but The Breakfast Cookbook shines bright in its own right.
The book is simple and straightforward, covering the classics as well as fun variations like English Custard with Rhubarb or Fresh Ginger Muffins. Starting with yeast breads and ending with a list of menus, Ms. Cunningham covers eggs, cereals, all things toast, quick breads, fruit, potatoes, sweets, hearty meat and fish dishes, and breakfast beverages. There is something innately trustworthy and satisfying about The Breakfast Cookbook. Much like breakfast itself!
First published in 1987, The Breakfast Cookbook is still in print, although perhaps a bit hard to find. But if you do, I highly recommend you take it off the shelf for a peek and see for yourself how fresh and relevant this book still is. And I would be quite surprised indeed if you didn't find yourself purchasing a copy to bring home. Your breakfast guests will be forever grateful!
Gourmet did a nice write up of The Breakfast Cookbook on their website last year.
Buy the Book: The Breakfast Cookbook $13.20 at Jessica's Biscuit
Related: Heavenly Hots
(Image: Random House)
On Saying No to Paleo: Why Eating Isn't One Size Fits All
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Elizabeth Apron fro...
Justin's Contemporary Contrast
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
I remember finding this book years ago on my pubic library shelf - what a treasure it was to read. I definitely checked it out more than once! I also enjoyed her Supper Cookbook, and I have also never been let down by the recipes. I will have to revisit this jewel once again!
I'll vouch for the Fresh Ginger Muffins. I've made that recipe more times than I can count and all these years later, it's still my favorite muffin recipe.
This has been my go-to brunch cookbook for years. I used to belong to a "Breakfast Club", five families who would have brunch together every other weekend, rotating houses. I always relied on "Featherbed Eggs" because I could make it the night before. Everyone loved it. There are so many good recipes here, there isn't room to laud them all. Definitely worth finding!
My mom gave me this years ago. She found it at a resale and bought it just because she knows I love breakfast. Most insanely melty, velvety pancakes in the world. Made the buttermilk pancakes this last Saturday morning.
I was lucky enough to take a cooking class with Marion when I was young (maybe 8?) with my mother and my brother. It was a great experience- and we got a signed copy of this book out of it. It was definitely the go-to breakfast book in our household. Great basic pancake recipe.
I love this book, and not just because Marion is a local here! Every recipe I've tried has been perfect - my most used is the coffeecake which you can tweak a variety of ways depending upon what you have in the house. Very easy to follow - get it!
I love this review! Those heavenly hots are wonderful!!!!!
Oh, thank you for reminding me about this book. Will pull it off my shelf and dust it off when I get home tonight! Her "Supper" book is also just wonderful.
Her blueberry muffins are superb...the nutmeg sugar pushes them over the top!