The estimated reading time for this post is 8 minutes
If you’ve never used tech tools when you cook, you’re in for a treat. Tech tools such as digital cookbooks and recipe websites can make cooking easier, more efficient and fun. Like taking a cooking class from a professional chef, digital cookbooks with embedded videos show you exactly how to prepare amazing recipes. If you like to compare notes on recipes, you’ll like the social sharing features of these tech tools as well. Also check out a handy stand that will prop up your tablet on your kitchen counter.
Each of these cooking resources are available on both computers and mobile devices so you can access them from anywhere.
My Provence by Laurent Gras
If you can’t spend a Year in Provence, but want to eat like you’re in the South of France, check out My Provence by Chef Laurent Gras. This digital cookbook is available online so you can access it from your computer, iPad or other tablet. Alta Editions provided me with a copy for review.
The cookbook contains 60 recipes, complete with high-resolution images and helpful videos to take you through food preparation step by step. What’s especially helpful about this cookbook is the Basic Recipes section which guides you through making the fundamentals of food preparation. Want to learn how to make a vinaigrette properly? Watch Chef Gras’s video and see how to combine the ingredients in the correct order.
You can share your experiences for each recipe and see others’ comments in the You Cooked It/They Cooked It section for each recipe. You can upload photos and see others’ photos as well.
Sample recipes include:
- My Mother’s Provençal Tart
- Vegetable Fricassée with Poached Egg
- Clams Marinière with Garlic Bread
- Riesling-Poached Pears with Pear Granité
- Pots de Crème
- Chocolate Mousse
- Clafoutis with Vanilla Ice Cream
- Gâteau de Galette
The recipes also include stories from Chef Gras, a top chef from Paris and Monaco who received 3 Michelin stars for his cooking.
This cookbook format is helpful because you can access it from anywhere – from home or office, on your computer, your iPad or another tablet. The files also don’t take up valuable space on your computer or iPad.
My Provence is available online for $9.99 from Alta Editions. Beginning in January, Alta Editions will be offering a monthly subscription to its digital cookbook series with a new book each month for $9.99. Future plans are for bringing these cookbooks to mobile devices as iOS and Android apps, Kindle books, and iBooks.
Food 52 Cookbook by Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs
The Food 52 cookbook Kindle Edition contains 140 recipes that were the winners of a contest for the best home cooks from around the world, conducted by the Food52.com website. To get the most from this book, skip using it on your Kindle ereader and load it onto your tablet or computer. The enticing pictures display better on a color screen and navigation between pages when you cook could be difficult on the small screen of a Kindle ereader.
Sample recipes include:
- Arugula, Pear, and Goat Cheese Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
- Wishbone Roast Chicken with Herb Butter
- Cider-Brined Pork with Calvados, Mustard, and Thyme
- Seriously Delicious Ribs
- Mediterranean Octopus Salad
- Creamy Mushroom Soup
- Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Chimichurri and Poblano Crème Fraîche
- Rum Apple Cake
- Caramel Rice Pudding with Brown Butter
- Mom’s Blueberry-Coconut Muffins
- Ginger Sangria
- Norma’s Eggnog
The Food 52 Cookbook is on sale in November, as one of Amazon’s monthly 100 Kindle books for $3.99 or less, and is marked down from $35.00 to $3.79.
Note that 179 recipes from Food 52 are available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch as a recently updated app from Inkling for $4.99:Food 52 iOS app. You can also purchase 3 chapters of techniques from the site for an additional $4.99 or buy the entire book as an app for $9.99. Sample a free chapter with this link: Thanksgiving Menu.
Foodily
Think of Foodily as a Pinterest site for recipes. At the Foodily website, people post their favorite recipes from other websites. You can follow people, including professional chefs, and discover the recipes they post. You can see people’s comments and suggestions for following the posted recipes. On Foodily you can see nutritional information and share recipes with friends via social media sites. By linking your Facebook account, you can post a comment on a recipe directly on your Facebook Timeline.
Search for recipes using the tabs at the top of the page, such as Dinner, Drinks, Baking, and In Season. You can save your favorite recipes and see how many other people chose recipes as their favorites. You can also post questions and get responses from other Foodily members or from the chefs themselves.
According to Foodily, the top five most shared recipes on Facebook this season are:
- Roasted Garlic Mashers by Candice Kumai
- Cheddar chive mashed potatoes by Williams-Sonoma
- Cauliflower mock mashed potatoes by The Skinny
- Green beans with garlic black bean sauce by No Recipes
- Baked brussel sprouts by The Healthy Apple
Foodily’s Chief Tastemaker Hillary Mickell said, “What’s interesting is it’s really all about the potato. Stuffing doesn’t even make the top 10! Our prediction is that people have either a boxed recipe for stuffing or a tradition/family recipe.”
Check out the Foodily website or the newly updated free Foodily app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch at the iTunes App Store.
The Professional Chef by The Culinary Institute of America
For serious cooks, check out The Professional Chef cookbook from The Culinary Institute of America. This digital book, complete with over 100 embedded videos, contains 850 recipes with instructions on how to make each dish. Originally written as a textbook for chefs in training, the book is not only filled with recipes but also contains instructions on how to cook with chapters such as Grilling, Broiling and Roasting. Inkling provided me with a copy of this app for review.
The Professional Chef has a social aspect to the app. People can leave comments on recipes and you can follow people to see their notes and discover new favorite recipes. You can even take a quiz at the end of each chapter if you want to test your cooking knowledge.
You can share notes and comments with others who post in the book. Notes sync between devices so you can write notes in your iPad app and then access them on your iPhone when you’re at the grocery store.
Sample recipes include:
- Pacific Seafood Chowder
- Barbecued Steak with Herb Crust
- Gingered Snow Peas and Yellow Squash
- Grilled Vegetables Provençal-Style
- Irish Soda Bread
- Pumpkin Bread
- Mudslide Cookies
You can purchase the cookbook as an Inkling app for your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch from the iTunes App Store for $49.99 for the entire book, or pay $2.99 for each chapter. You can also purchase the book on the web for the same price at the Inkling website. If you purchase the book on one platform, you can access the book and your notes on all three platforms (web, iPad and iPhone).
Tablet Stand by Belkin
If you’re going to be using your iPad or other tablet in the kitchen, make sure to get a stand to prop it up securely and protect it from spills. I recommend the Tablet Stand with Belkin that works with all tablets in either landscape or portrait positions.
What makes the Belkin stand special is the wand (a/k/a stylus) that you can use to keep your messy fingers from sullying your tablet screen. The stand has a non-slip bottom and a place to store the wand. The wand is thick and has a ridge to keep give you a good grip even when your hands are slippery.
Belkin’s tablet stand is on sale at Amazon.com for $29.78, marked down from $39.99.
Bottom Line
Use tech in the kitchen to make the most of your meals!
Do you use digital cookbooks or websites to find recipes and learn cooking techniques? Do you have cooking apps on your mobile devices? Have you discovered a favorite recipe using tech? Let us know in the Comments section below!
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My Provence Cookbook
The editors of My Provence cookbook have kindly offered to provide a free My Provence cookbook to three Wonder of Tech readers. If you are interested, please leave a comment below indicating you wish to receive a copy of this digital cookbook for free. Recipients will be chosen by an independent panel of reviewers who will judge the best comments to this article. Recipients will be notified on Tuesday, November 20 via email.
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Kindle Fire HD 8.9″
If you like the Kindle Fire HD but are looking for a larger tablet or one with a 3G data connection, you’ll be pleased to learn that the Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ launched yesterday. Similar to the Kindle Fire HD, the larger tablet has a 8.9″ screen (which may be quite evident from the name) and comes with and without a 3G data connection.
The Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ is priced:
Wi-Fi Only
- $299 for 16 GB with Special Offers
- $314 for 16 GB without Special Offers
- $369 for 32 GB with Special Offers
- $384 for 32 GB without Special Offers
Wi-Fi + 4G/LTE
- $499 for 32 GB with Special Offers
- $514 for 32 GB without Special Offers
- $599 for 64 GB with Special Offers
- $614 for 64 GB without Special Offers
Orders placed now are expected to ship the week of December 3 in the US.
Data plans are priced:
- 250MB month for 12 months for $49.99/year (no monthly payments). 3GB and 5GB monthly plans are also available.
- $49.99 package also includes: 20GB of additional Cloud Drive, plus a $10 Amazon Appstore promotional credit.
What a sumptuous treat Carolyn!
I have my mouth watering as I read through this wonderful post full of recipes and tempting pictures 🙂
Speaking of myself, I’ve never used tech tools or apps for cooking dishes, though I do use normal cookbooks at home. Some of them my Moms age-old ones that are favorites in the family and have been passed down the generations. But I do use cooking websites to find recipes and learn cooking techniques for most of the dishes that I love trying out.
I’ve never tried, nor really knew about digital cookbooks earlier than this post because when I used to Google up to find something about cooking, I normally found many versions of it online, either on some cooking sites, blogs, or videos. I do need to look up all these wonderful links and sites you mentioned because they sound so very interesting.
I liked the idea of Chef’s Notes at My Provence because they always come in handy. I have a whole book with hand-written such quick tips. 🙂 I would love to receive a copy of this digital cookbook for free if possible and if I qualify. 🙂
Thanks for sharing and making us aware that you can even use tech tools for cooking 🙂
Hi Harleena, Yes, I think that these pictures do tend to get one quite hungry! I know that as I was writing and researching this article I developed quite an appetite!
You certainly qualify, Harleena, with your wonderful comment! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a lovely weekend!
I’m with Harleena on this one Carolyn, I’m salivating over here just checking out all the pictures. I LOVE to look at pictures of food, they are so pretty and yummy looking. I also love watching videos when they are showing you how to make something. Yep, I love easy and simple instructions because I certainly don’t claim to be a master chef.
Now you know I’m not a big app girl myself nor am I a cook but some of the recipes and stuff I’ve seen online just this week alone is making me rethink that. You know, try something different for a change.
I might have to load some of these up on my iPod Touch and have a good time.
Thank you as always Carolyn for coming through for us with some awesome nifty ideas for the holiday season fastly approaching. You’re the best!
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, Well, you may not be a cook now but after you watch some of these videos, you may just change your title! I know you’re a big fan of videos and I thought of you as I discovered these gems. Seeing how chefs prepare the fundamentals of recipes was extremely instructional.
All of these tech tools are available on the computer, you don’t need a mobile device to access any of them. If you want to load them on your iPod Touch, you can, but you can also use a computer. Whatever works best for you in the kitchen!
Thanks for joining the conversation, Adrienne!
Hey Carolyn,
These “tech tools” are making me hungry! I love the title you used…the Alliteration is a catchy tounge twister!
I currently use a Nexus 7 when I’m cooking, I use a great free app called “Recipe Search” it has tonnes of recipes and they look great on my tablet device.
Keep up the posts Carolyn – I’m off to Tailor some Tasty Terrific Tech Treats using my Tremendous Tech Tools! 😛
Hi Ash, Thanks for letting us know about Recipe Search. It looks like a great, free app for Android devices. Here is the link at Google Play for readers who want to grab it.
I hope you enjoy your Tasty Terrific Tech Treats, Ash! :-bd
Hi Carolyn,
I think i’m in love with the Professional Chef. It is so comprehensive and has a huge collection of recipes in favorite section, baking. There’s even a section on soups that you can try before you buy.
I often browse the internet for recipes, but haven’t bought a food app, as I haven’t found any good ones on Indian cuisine.
My family are not particularly fond of world cuisine, so I mostly end up feasting my eyes on the gorgeous pictures, rather than trying them out.
Thank you for sharing a nice list of resources with us. I’m bookmarking them of course, to feast on later!
Cheers,
Adeline
Hi Adeline, I’m so glad you liked this treasure trove of tech tips! We are very different here in the US because we are very used to a variety of cuisines. These cooking resources similarly have a wide variety of cuisines, including Indian. Foodily is free, you could check out that one to discover new recipes.
You’re right about The Professional Chef. That book is amazing and can show you cooking techniques that apply to all types of food. You can buy just one chapter at a time if you prefer.
I’m a big fan of Indian food, I hope you find some delicious Indian recipes pan Foodily. Adeline!
This is perfect timing Carolyn. My kitchen is finally ready and I’ve never used any tech tools 🙂
Hi Jens, You’re right, cooking will be a lot more fun in your new kitchen. The new iPad Mini that will be coming in handy in your new and improved kitchen.
Happy eating, Jens!
Hi Carolyn,
(Yummy, Yummy) Well, to be honest, I’d love to have some pears now 😉
Cooking is not part of me right now, but I think this would be very helpful if make use of dear. The time people wait for new recipes is now over. It’s at fingertips 🙂 How convenient and this is why tech exist.
Sometimes I wonder how many app developers are there with wonderful apps, but people doesn’t know and make use of ’em.
I don’t start cooking today 😉 But I spread the word and let others know…
Cheers…
Hi Mayura, True, not everyone is a cook, but there may come a time when you need to prepare a tasty meal. If you ever need recipe resources, you know where to turn!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and sharing this article, Mayura! 🙂
I subscribe to the “Open can and put in microwave” school of thought, but I do love technology. It might just be enough to get me to broaden my horizons.
Lol, Brian, then you really need to find a new cooking school! Maybe these tech tools can help?
Hi Carolyn
Those recipes sound tasty!
I’ve had to learn cookery skills pretty quickly as I didn’t really have any before I gave up work! I’m one of those people that has to follow a recipe by the letter, just because of my inexperience.
I get really confused by recipes from the US, measuring in cups. It’s not something we have in the UK and I’m not sure how to convert it easily. I do have a couple of apps though Allrecipes UK and Annabel Karmel. The Annabel Karmel one is particularly great for recipes for babies and toddlers. Ideal for me!
Hi Tim, I struggled with those issues as well when I moved to the UK. Now that I’m back in the US, I still struggle because I still use my UK cookbooks. I now make sure to purchase measuring cups with multiple measurements.
I should do an article on conversion apps. My life got much easier when apps let me convert measurements easier.
The Annable Karmel app looks fantastic for parents of youngsters! http://www.annabelkarmel.com/app Thanks for sharing that, Tim. :-bd
Carolyn – This was an interesting topic coming from you, quite different from most others. I passed on the Foodily info to my wife to check it out 🙂
Nice to know how tech can actually help us in our kitchen as well. I always google for recipes when I plan to cook something (which is v.rare), having a cookbook as an app on my phone will surely ease up some of that stuff.
Thanks for the info shared.
Hi Praveen, Yes, Google added recipes last year to their search parameters. That’s a helpful resource too. But I like these resources that are especially helpful for those wanting to take their cooking skills to a higher level.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here, Praveen!
Looks delicious!
I have never used apps to learn cooking. Maybe the plain old way of downloading recipes and trying them out!
But this looks quite interesting.
Hi Hajra, Yes, what I like about these resources is that they can really help you with cooking. They each have extra features such as social sharing and videos that can improve your culinary skills.
We can all learn more about cooking and these tools help to teach as well as give you great recipes!
Caroline,
I have used a few various apps in the kitchen. I have tried them on my Kindle, Ipad and cell. I always enjoy looking through the various recipes and finding new things to try.
I would definitely recommend anyone that likes to cook to have a stand for their tablet (or cell). I know for myself when I have used them in the past it is much easier having them standing up. You are able to look at them quickly when they standing up. If they are laying flat you lose some concentration because you will readjust your body position to get the best angle for the tablet. (just my two cents on it)
I thought I would add I would love to try out the My Provence cookbook!
Aaron
Hi Aaron, Yes, I like that you can access each of these resources from pretty much any device: computer, smartphone and tablet.
Yes, you can prop your tablet up against something, but that won’t keep it away from spills. I like the wand feature too that keeps greasy fingers away from the screen.
You’re definitely in the running for My Provence, Aaron!
Hi Carolyn, I got my first tablet last week and my first thought was… oooh, I’ll be able to use it for cooking 🙂 I’ve got about 60 recipe books that I tried to read via the Kindle app, but a tablet is so much better for reading / cooking from. This post is a delight for me, am going to explore your recommendations 🙂
Hi Sarah, how exciting that you got your first tablet! Which one did you get?
I’m so glad this article is useful to you. Thanks for stopping by to let us know! 🙂
It’s a Samsung Galaxy 10.1. I mainly read books with it 🙂
Very cool. Thanks for letting us know!
A cook I am not, but these books look awesome! They might even inspire me to cook something. Or not. When I do cook and use a new recipe, I often use my iPad to look up a recipe from AllRecipes and then access all the details right from my iPad. So I guess I might just use a digital cookbook!
Either way – who won the free books? I’m sure I’m too late. But if not … I’d take one!
Hi Carol, yes, it’s great to be able to access your recipes from your iPad. You can look them up wherever you are and then have them handy in the kitchen. You can also follow along with videos to learn some new techniques.
You’re in the running for a cookbook. The judges decide tomorrow!