I’m a self-confessed cookbook addict—or maybe a recovering one. I read cookbooks the way other people read novels, and for years I even reviewed them professionally. But when I downsized to move my home base from Los Angeles, CA, to Baja, Mexico in 2017—and later began spending most of the year traveling in my RV—those hundreds of cookbooks were the first things to go.
I made myself a deal: I could keep just one cookbook in my RV. For me, that book is Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street 365.
These days, you can find decent recipes for just about anything online. But finding truly great recipes often means digging through pages of mediocre ones—many of which are nearly identical. Having one reliable cookbook on board your RV saves you from that hunt—and sometimes from needing to go online at all.
The right cookbook also does more than provide recipes. It offers inspiration and guidance, helping you create delicious meals with whatever ingredients you have on hand or can find along the road. It can even turn a simple trip to a local market into a culinary adventure.
For years, my go-to was The Joy of Cooking. Not because the recipes were extraordinary, but because of the sheer variety and volume of them. The fact that they were thoroughly tested also meant they worked.
What I like about Milk Street 365
Recently, however, I switched to Milk Street 365, as its flavors and approach better match the way I like to cook and eat today. I have made MANY of the recipes (and still counting). Every one of them was outstanding, winning rave reviews from friends and family.
The recipes are adventurous yet approachable, and most are easy enough for beginner cooks—even in a small RV kitchen. I especially appreciate the abundance of one-pot and one-pan meals. Entire sections are devoted to sheet pan dinners and stir-fries, both perfect for life on the road.
With more than 600 recipes, the variety is impressive. The book spans classic American, Mediterranean, Asian, Latin, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and African cuisines. There’s plenty here for vegetarians and vegans, as well as meat lovers, with recipes covering everything from soups and salads to main dishes, pizzas and flatbreads, grains, seafood, chicken, pork, and beef.
One thing it notably lacks: desserts. There aren’t any. But honestly, I can get into enough trouble with sweets on my own, so I don’t mind.
Christopher Kimball, founder of Cook’s Illustrated, brings his signature blend of culinary insight and practicality to every page. His techniques are simple but often game-changing, and they’ll likely challenge—and improve—the way you cook, whether you’re making these recipes or your own favorites.
What really sets this book apart is its focus on foundational recipes paired with countless variations. That flexibility makes it ideal for RV life, allowing you to cook with what you have and avoid unnecessary trips to the store. Helpful sidebars and charts also offer guidance on tools, ingredients, and techniques, making it as much a learning resource as a cookbook.
One final note: While this is the only cookbook I carry in my RV, I find myself reaching for it just as often when I’m at home.
Learn more, or order Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year at Amazon.
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Thanks for the recommendation. Most of the cookbooks I own have a few good recipes, but this one looks like I’ll find lots I’ll end up liking.