I love to cook. It’s relaxing and helps me wind down after a long day. I love the alchemy of it all; how the flavors mix together to make the most delicious concoctions and, how, when the aromas fill the kitchen, you immediately know what’s for dinner. Onion and garlic sautéing in olive oil is one of my favorite scents. When I cook, I put on some music -- or a podcast or an audio book -- pour myself a glass of wine, crack open the cookbook, and let the stress of daily life fade away.As much as I love to cook, I cannot do it without a cookbook. Oh, how I wish I were that person who can whip up a recipe on the fly with the random selection of items found in the pantry. They are so inspiring. But, alas, I cannot and therefore I rely on a library of cookbooks to nourish me both literally and figuratively. If cookbooks are your secret weapon, too, then let me introduce you to a few new releases that have found their way to Red Barn Mercantile’s shelves.Let’s start with a local favorite, Red Truck Bakery. First, if you’ve never had the pleasure of eating in this jewel of a café in Warrenton, Virginia, then make a beeline there straight away. If you have, then you know why this book is so exciting. It’s filled with 85 recipes that represent the simple ways of rural life yet are sophisticated enough for everyone. Recipes for Rise and Shine Biscuits, Mom’s Walnut Chews, and Shenandoah Apple Cake are sure to please. I am not going to lie, I love me some Ina. She never disappoints. Her recipes are accessible and use good ingredients. And, aren’t those the hallmarks to good home cooking? In her latest cookbook, Barefoot Contessa Cook Like a Pro, Ina shares the techniques and tricks she has learned over a lifetime of cooking and entertaining. I just got my copy this weekend and can’t wait to dive in! Another one that I’m super excited about is Christina Tosi’s new cookbook, All About Cake. One of my favorite go-to recipes is the Milk Bar creator’s Greta sugar cookie square. It’s easy, it’s delicious, and it’s worth the effort to find grapeseed oil. Her new cookbook promises to be brash, bold, and filled with buttery goodness. I don’t even know where to start!These are just three of the many cookbooks we have in the store this fall. Like I said I’m a cookbook hoarder collector, so I enjoy lining our shelves with cookbooks of all sorts. Here are several more that have found their way to Red Barn. All of which are sure to satisfy any craving![nemus_slider id="53985"]