Here are a few of my favorite cookbooks. Some of these are no longer in print so you may need to locate them at your local library.
Weber's Great Big Book Of Grilling- The end all be all of great grilling books. Who else would know how to grill then the number one grill manufactures?
(NEW)The Soul of a New Cuisine by Marcus Samuelsson- Celebrated author and chef Marcus Samuelsson follows up his divine book Aquavit (see description further down) with a grand taste of Africa's heritage. Masterfully written with beautiful pictures and delightful recipes that are simple and aromatic. The perfect glimpse into what is a foundation of many cultural cuisines. Great for the beginner and seasoned chef.
(NEW)Lobel's Meat and Wine by the Lobel family- This book landed in my mailbox one day and quickly became one of my favorites. The recipes are simple, elegant, and yet complex in a rich textural way. This book is perfect for the cook that basks in the glory of a rack of lamb or juicy bone-in ribeye.
(NEW)Arabesque by Claudia Roden-Another fascinating and well detailed book from the queen of ethnic cooking. This is a favorite of mine simply because I love Lebonese and Jordanian food. Just reading the introduction alone sets the tone for a marvelous adventure in the kitchen. Pick this book up, find a tagine, and get ready for a tasty food experience in Turkey, Morocco, and Lebanon!
(NEW)CIA's One Dish Meals- Again, another one that landed in my mailbox. No one hates washing dishes more then me and this book offers delicious recipes that only require one pan. This book is perfect for everyone as it not only gives the recipe but instrumental information on both the how and why of the technique used. It also offers information on ingredients.
Washoku by Elizabeth Andoh- This book gives the reader a subtle look into the Japanese home kitchen. Indepth descriptions of ingredients, some easier to find in local grocers then others. Better suited for the more skilled home chef who has a bit deeper understanding of cooking techniques, terms and ingredients.
Kitchen of Light by Andreas Viestad- A glorious book that offers some of the freshest flavors of Sweden made easy and simple to understand. This book has a lot of bright pictures and funny anecdotes. If building a collection of ethnically mixed cookbooks, this is a real keeper. Perfect for both beginner and seasoned home cooks.
The Swedish Table by Helene Henderson- A pleasant read and a great addition to any cookbook library. Pales slightly in comparison to Kitchen of Light and Aquavit but most assuredly a good read with easy tasty recipes. Perfect for beginners and seasoned chefs alike.
Mangoes and Curry Leaves by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid- Simply an honest and earthy cookbook on Indian cooking. This book takes you on a journey through India and its fellow countries, sharing with you recipes from small street vendors all the way to private homes. Not many books compell me to run out and purchase it, but this one did. PERFECT FOR THE FIRST TIME EXPLORER OF INDIAN COOKING! Some recipes are more involved then others.
Emeril's Delmonico by Emeril Lagasse- His latest and greatest written work. This book is chocked full of gorgeous food pictures and yummy recipes. Delmonico spotlights recipes from the famed historic New Orleans restaurant, showing off some of "The Big Easy's" best ingredients. Perfect for all skill levels and great for entertaining.
From Curries to Kebabs by Madhur Jaffrey- Another stunning cookbook from Madhur, one of the leading experts on Indian cuisine. Very informative on ingredients and history of foods from India. The recipes are simple and easy to reproduce using ingredients that are available to most in there local grocers. ALSO PERFECT FOR THE FIRST TIME EXPLORER OF INDIAN COOKING!
The Olive and The Caper by Susanna Hoffman- This is an awe-inspiring cookbook. THE best authentic Greek cookbook that I have ever found. Stunning pictures and delectable uncomplicated recipes that pay tribute to some of Greeces best foods. This book will transport you to the Greek Isles!
Roasting by Barbara Kafka- The essential book on the simple yet wonderful art of roasting. Covers everything from meats to vegetables.
Potluck by Emeril Lagasse-This is just a fabulous book by the Master himself. I found this one to be the best for homecooks. Recipes that are easy yet "kicked up" but not to much. A lot of family and kid friendly recipes. Great for beginner and seasoned home cooks alike!
Hors D'oeuvres Handbook by Martha Stewart- I know, it's not what you thought you'd see here. Martha walks you through some of the most elegant and yummy appetizers that are great for cocktail parties to bbq's. A MUST for party throwers.
Please to The Table by Anya von Bremzen- This is a truly classic cookbook. It features some of the best authentic Russian recipes around. Great for learning the different cooking of the various Russian regions.
The Dean and Deluca Cookbook by David Rosengarten- This cookbook offers wonderful dishes that sound complicated yet are simple and easy. Great when cooking for friends.
Italy the Beautiful Cookbook- My first Italian cookbook. 16 years after I bought it, I am still using it's authentic recipes for Carbonara and Rosemary flatbread. It makes a beautiful gift for a new cook.
Culinaria, European Specialties- This unique set of books isn't for the shy! It offers authentic recipes and food facts from 22 European countries. It covers everything from the traditional English Christmas feast to the roots of Irish whiskey. Beautiful pictures, even better recipes- if you can find the ingredients!
Rao's Cookbook by Frank Pellegrino- This books holds some favorite recipes of the Italian old timers. Straight from Rao's in New York, everyone from Tony Bennett to Frank have enjoyed this Italian restaurants food. It's the next best thing to being there!
Cocktail Food by Mary Corpening Barber- Great little tidbits with fun little names to go with them. Great for that little cocktail gathering after work.
Sauces by James Peterson- This book, along with all of James Petersons cookbooks are exceptional. This particular book walks you through the process of sauce making starting with the five Mother sauces and branching out from there. James Beard Award winner.
The Wisdom of The Chinese Kitchen by Grace Young- Timeless Chinese cuisine blended with food history from the orient. My all time favorite when preparing authentic Asian cuisine.
In The Hands Of A Chef by Jody Adams- Rialto restaurant owner Jody Adams walks you through her humble beginnings as a chef and takes your tastebuds along for the ride.
Glorious French Food by James Peterson- ANOTHER wonderful book by the Master himself. Well written, clean cut concepts on old traditonal French cooking. He updates a lot of the traditonal dishes with new ideas. Gives a lot of insite to French technique versus American technique.
The Chinese Kitchen by Eileen Yin-Fei Lo- A fabulous book with a lot of insite to Asian ingredients and cooking. Eileen as several books but this one, I feel is the best.
Aquavit by Marcus Samuelsson- Marcus is a wonderful chef that takes the simple Scandanavian food and brings it to another level. The dishes in this book are comforting, elegant (great for company) and yet not complicated at all. This book also makes a beautiful table top book.
Sam Choy's Polynesian Kitchen by Sam Choy- Sam Choy is the leading chef of several restaurants in the Hawiian Islands. He has taken some of his favorite dishes and put them in this wonderful book. The recipes are exotic but authentic Pacific cuisine. Great for a luau.
A Woman's Place Is In the Kitchen by Ann Cooper- This book is a wonderful read for those women that are thinking of joining the food industry. It timelines and discusses the trials and tribulations of the female chef over the last century. It is informational and inspirational in it's comparison of the male chef versus the female chef.
Becoming A Chef byAndrew Dornenburg- This book, much like "A Woman's Place" (see above) is a wonderful book for that person aspiring to be a chef. It talks with several leading chefs, tv and restuarant chefs alike, about their journey from chef want-to-be to their current position. It has many recipes from the restuarants that they run.
An Invitation to Indian Cooking by Madhur Jaffrey- This is a wonderful book filled with recipes straight from an Indian kitchen. Madhur adds stories as well and talks about various techniques and ingredients common to the Indian kitchen.
Cuisines Of India by Smita Chandra- This recipe collection gives you a regional play by play of Indian cuisine. It highlights the difference in regional cooking as well as offering recipes that combine western flair with traditonal Indian foods.
Barefoot Contessa's Parties! and Barefoot Contessa's Family Style by Ina Garten- These two books are ideal for those party throwers that want elegance and simplicity without the fuss. Ina prepares foods with few ingredients or complicated techniques. Great gift for new cooks as well.
Katie Brown Entertains by Katie Brown- Katie Brown brings the fun back to entertaining with this book. She gives you decorating ideas (with directions) and recipes that are easy to prepare. Her book offers the "best" of Martha's entertaining tips and Ina's fab recipes with her own flair.
Martha Stewart's Menu's for Entertaining by Martha Stewart- The queen of homemaking gives great party tips and recipes for throwing parties. Offers complete menu's for easy of the home chef.
Dinner After Dark by Colin Cowie- The king of party giving offers recipes and party tips for throwing a VERY ELEGANT dinner gathering. Definitely for "grown up" parties.
It's Just A Dinner Party by Ron and Julie Malloy- This book is great for the first time entertainer. It offers ideas and decorating tips as well as recipes for a great party. Puts the party giver at easy with entertaining at home.
50 Chowders by Jasper White- This incredible little book offers marvelous recipes froma man that has built his reputation on soups and chowders. Everythingfrom Turkey chowder to Clam chowder is covered.
