The Canal House Series

Recommended by Emily

in response to Rachel Hellesto

Okay I have an extensive cookbook collection, but I know there are some great ones out there I don't have and my birthday is coming up... What is your FAVORITE cookbook or baking book to COOK FROM? honorable mentions for ones that inspire you are welcome too, but if you don't cook from it please specify ;) Extra special bonus if they are from small publishers, self published, or from lesser known chefs!

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Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton began these serialized cookbooks in the early aughts as a way to capture their magical cooking style from The Canal House restaurant in Milford, NJ — ingredient forward, with a bit of high-payoff technique. I turn to these for inspiration and I actually cook from them frequently. Like many books from this time period, they are organized loosely by season and celebrations, and pack an incredible punch for their diminutive size. Buy one or buy them all!!

Pantry

23 days ago

Comments

Lily

@lilySep 1, 2026

I grew up worshiping these two women and eating at Canal House with my mom on special occasions- second their wonderful cookbooks, my most loved of all the stained and dog-eared cookbooks on my shelves!

Emily

@emilysoSep 1, 2026

!!! They are GOATed in my mind, forever and ever. I was so lucky to get to eat at canal house once. (So hard to get to!)

even*cleveland

@evenclevelandSep 3, 2026

These books are the best; so many fabulous recipes.

Across Rec League

Canal House Cooking

Lily

“New Yorkers know Prune cook Gabrielle Hamilton but I grew up in rural Jerz worshiping at the alter of Canal House Cooking, her sister Melissa Hamilton’s joint. Without a doubt my favorite cookbooks. All of them.”

Ginny Branch

“These are some of my absolute favorite cook books. I love reading them and have even attempted a few!”

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The Canal House Series

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Canal House Cooking

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