These books would make great gifts, but really, we also recommend buying them for your own collections, that's how good they are.
Recommended by Matt Armendariz:
The Sriracha Cookbook
– I would love to take a moment to review The Sriracha Cookbook that arrived last January. It’s a fantastic cookbook, and if you’re crazy for the flavors of that certain chili sauce then you really need the book. Really. It’s wonderful. Get it and make the Piquant Pulled Pork right away. You won't regret it.
Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen
is filled with traditional Southern favorites as seen through Sara’s kitchen. It’s a book that you can’t help but get hungry from just looking at it as it’s packed with Southern favorites that I want to eat this very second. All the classics are there with contemporary twists like Shrimp Jabalaya, fried chicken, brisket and spare ribs. Now can you see why I’m all about this book? Sara’s familiar tone in writing really makes you feel as if you’re there and have known her for years, which I love. I also love her glossary of Southern pantry essentials, should you need a brush up. But the thing about Sara’s Southern Kitchen that really makes me hungry is the food photography from Peter Frank Edwards. The food is gorgeous, real, and captured in such a way that it truly feels as if you’re just sitting down to enjoy a meal with Sara and the family.
Recommended by Amy Sherman:
There are lots of books about Spanish food. I know, because I have plenty of them, but The Food of Spain is truly the mother of all Spanish cookbooks with over 600 pages. It has stories, history--it's a true treasury that took years of work to complete. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Claudia Roden's recipes work. They make sense and give just the right level of detail. In this massive tome she uncovers so many more recipes than what you will find in run of the mill restaurants. In The Food of Spain you will discover many fascinating cultures that have influenced Spanish cuisine and recipes both familiar and rare. It's as much a book about food as it is a cookbook.
What can I say about Paula Wolfert that hasn't already been said? She is the most well-known authority on Moroccan food and The Food of Morocco is one of her most important books. Having lived in Morocco for years, she has a depth of knowledge that is just unparalleled. Her recipes are meticulous. Like Claudia Roden, she goes well beyond the surface to discover the history and varied influences that make for such a rich cuisine. Her latest book is over 500 pages. The book also has plenty of tips and advice to help you get it right, from the different types of couscous to explanations as to why steaming is better than boiling. There are lots of shopping resources too.
It might seem surprising that I put Lisa Fain in the same category as Claudia Roden and Paula Wolfert, but if you spend some time at her blog or reading her wonderful cookbook, The Homesick Texan, you will see why I do. Lisa Fain's passion and connection to her Texas heritage and food shines through in everything she writes. She treats the cuisine of Texas with such respect and warmth that you can't help but appreciate it too, even if you are not "homesick" for it. Unlike Roden or Wolfert, Lisa Fain is not an outsider, but a native who shares her own personal stories. And if she can make Texas recipes work in a New York apartment kitchen you have to know they will work for you too.
Recommended by James Moore:
Dishing up Vermont: 145 Authentic Recipes from the Green Mountain State – Showcases the products and recipes of farms, orchards, restaurants and inns in that increasingly food-centric state – including a particularly over-the-top Croque Monsieur which somehow incorporates both mayo and maple syrup. Yum! The book's focus is on fresh ingredients that create hearty meals. Simply delicious!
Recommended by Amy Ephron:
The Treats Truck Baking Book
— A winner of the Vendy Award for Best Dessert Vendor, Kim Ima, The Treats Truck founder has been a pioneering food truck on the streets of New York City and is now sharing her famous recipes. The book is adorable, filled with amazingly delicious recipes that are even easy enough for kids to make. They are the most fun to bake with and you both will enjoy what comes out of the oven. A great stocking stuffer!
I was incredibly excited when Patricia Wells’ Salad as a Meal: Healthy Main Dish Salads for Every Season arrived on our doorstep. It was summer. And she was Patricia Wells. And she understands that salad as a meal isn’t simply two slips of lettuce and a tomato from the garden. It’s salad as a meal!
The book is arranged seasonally and keyed to fresh seasonal ingredients which is a lovely way to cook. There’s something about her books that makes you feel as if you’re in her kitchen, in Provence, somehow being as homey and elegant as she is. Or at least, you have a shot. And after a few weeks of experimenting, I can happily say that Patricia Wells’ “Salad as a Meal” has become a staple in our kitchen, too!
The Supernatural Kids Cookbook
– Another great book for the food-obssessed child in your life. Seventy healthy, mindful and tasty recipes created expressly for budding junior chefs to coax them on a path and lifelong journey of nutritious and delicious culinary exploration & inspiration. Beautiful and clever illustrations make this more than just a cookbook. The food helps tell a story as well.
Recommended by Sue Doeden:
“Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes,” by Janice Cole. It’s like a good novel that you just can’t put down once you start reading. Cole’s book holds nine chapters, following the seasons of the year, broken down by early spring, mid-spring, summer, late summer all the way through late winter. The veteran food writer and editor, cooking instructor and recipe developer begins each chapter with a story relating her experiences as an owner of hens. Cole’s charming stories make me smile, and sometimes chuckle out loud as I read about Roxanne, the big and bossy Buff Orpington, cuddly Cleo and rebellious Lulu, both Araucana/Ameraucanas. It’s just plain fun to read. It's one of those cookbooks that will be my go-to when I don’t know what to make for supper or when I want to make something deliciously sweet but don’t want to take a lot of time doing it. As long as I have chicken in my freezer and eggs in my refrigerator, I’ve got a good chance of finding the perfect recipe inside the cover of Cole’s book to fill my needs.
Recommended by Lisa Dinsmore:
The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches by Susan Russo; photographs by Matt Armendariz – While I love sandwiches, I only eat them at home. Where else can I guarantee the right proportion of every ingredient in every bite? There's nothing more disappointing than getting just bread and a bit of lettuce. So, I turned to this little book so I could make them just right. It includes a recipe for every classic sandwich you can think of (and some I had never heard of) with the history of how they came to be created. The ingredients are easy to come by, directions easy-to-follow and the pictures will make your mouth water. You'll be hard pressed to decide which sandwich to make first. The recipes aren't gourmet or what many of us would consider "healthy," but they sure are good and that's what comfort food is all about.
Recommeded by Susan Russo:
Alice's Cookbook by Alice Hart – Hart realizes that although most 20- and 30-somethings are in a constant buzz, they love to slow down and socialize with friends, preferably over good, honest food and drink. Therefore, she has divided her chapters by meal type then by occasion so users don't have to create their own menus. Under "Breakfast and Brunch" she includes "spring breakfast for 6 on the weekend," with recipes for Maple and Blueberry Sticky Rolls, Tropical Fruit Platter with Kaffir Lime and Sunshine Juice. Under "Party" she includes "hot summer barbecue" with recipes for Skirt Steaks with Red Chimichurri Sauce, Charred Corn Salsa, Avocado Salsa and Best Brownies. She also provides "hands-on" time for each recipe and advice for scaling quantities up or down to feed a crowd or a few. Emma Lee's photography is beautiful -- simple and artful. I only wish the book had more of it. So no matter how old you are, take Alice Hart's advice about spending time in the kitchen: "It's not just about cooking, it's about enjoying life."
I Love Trader Joe's College Cookbook
by Andrea Lynn – All of Lynn’s recipes feature Trader Joe’s signature products, so you won’t have to trek from market to market searching for items. It’s really a one-stop-shopping cookbook ideal for both cash- and time-strapped college students. And kitchen novices. And working moms and dads. And anyone looking for easy recipes and trying to save money. Lynn provides colorful recipe icons that help you select the recipe that’s right for you. They include microwave meals, no-cook meals, one-pot meals, and more. “Tips & Techniques,” include a few kitchen basics such as “how to boil an egg" and “how to cook al dente pasta." Chapters are divided by meal category, and recipes, which average 5 to 7 ingredients, are clearly written and easy to follow. Please, if you're a college student, harried mom, single dude, or anybody looking for inexpensive, easy, and great-tasting recipes get a copy.
