Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, Michael Witwer
[isbn]
What better fantasy immersion is there than to enjoy the same delicacies at the gaming table that our characters share in the tavern? Why do we settle for Doritos and Mountain Dew when we can gorge ourselves on Twice-Baked Cockatrice Wings, Underdark Lotus with Fire Lichen Spread, Evermead, and Potions of Restoration?
Recommended by Brandon S.
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Crystal Wilkinson
[isbn]
Never has a cookbook title gripped me so quickly, heart and soul.
Part ancestral recipes, part poetic storytelling, Wilkinson honors the deep ties between food-ways and family and the lesser-known history of Black Appalachians.
These forty recipes are a trove of generations-old kitchen knowledge ranging from blackberry vices to no-nonsense cornbread to chicken n' dumplings. I'm coveting this book in honor of Black Appalachians who gave heart,... (read more)
Recommended by Cyan
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Lauren Boehme
[isbn]
I’ve made many a tasty meal from Lauren Boehme’s Rabbit & Wolves blog, and this cookbook is packed with her mouthwatering, soul-satisfying comfort food. The first week after I got the book I made: Spicy Lemon Butter Tofu with Polenta (p53) — so decadent! Spinach Artichoke Baked Pasta (p65) — melt in your mouth creamy! And the Loaded Baked Potato Soup (p69) — OMFG! I can’t wait to try the belly-filling breakfast and indulgent desserts.
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Liz Marsham, CRITICAL ROLE , Jesse Szewczyk
[isbn]
Stories and food are inseparable, and the food of Exandria is just as good as its stories — truly “exquisite” actually! Just look at the gorgeous pictures, from “Slayer’s Cake” to “Jester’s Sweet Feast,” and your mouth will water. I’m going to start with the chickpea version of “Yasha’s Bug Bites,” washed down with a “Ruby of the Sea” cocktail, while I plan fun dinners for my RPG friends.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Sohla El-Waylly
[isbn]
Sohla El-Waylly. Too good for the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen (they didn’t deserve her!!) but absolutely necessary for your kitchen. I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to cooking but this book is so darn accessible! Start Here doesn’t presume you know what your doing — it says “that’s ok” and helps you learn not only recipes but also the foundational hows and whys that will inspire you to become the... (read more)
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Shelly Westerhausen Worcel, Wyatt Worcel
[isbn]
I'm always shifting into soup mode, and Every Season Is Soup Season is the cookbook that understands. Each recipe is crafted to let abundant, delicious, hearty vegetables shine (with optional instructions on adding meat), and includes two spinoffs (a remix to dress things up for a fancy dinner party, and a way to turn the leftovers into something totally new). Also, the photography is gorgeous and makes me want to live in a... (read more)
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Molly Baz
[isbn]
As a self-proclaimed cookbook addict, More Is More has quickly become one of my top picks this year. I love the personal stories Baz shares throughout the book, and the QR codes linking to instructional videos for the more complex recipes are a game-changer. I'll definitely be cooking from this book all winter!
Recommended by Rudy K.
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Kwame Alexander
[isbn]
Go to page 81 and read "Good Night." This look into his marriage... it's so relatable. Kwame Alexander's memoir reads like a love letter to his family. One that is open and honest and full of the good and bad. And at the center of it all is food. I love the mix of poetry and essays, with a sprinkling of recipes throughout. If you pick up this book, try the fried chicken on page 125. Yes, it's good.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Andrea Nguyen
[isbn]
Whether you're a vegan, vegetarian, or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, Ever-Green Vietnamese is a must-have. It's a testament to the versatility and adaptability of Vietnamese cuisine, and a reminder that great food doesn't have to come at the expense of our values or the planet. Highly recommend trying the Pho Chay (Vegan Pho)!
Recommended by Rudy K.
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Jenne Claiborne
[isbn]
Delicious, healthy recipes with Southern flair and soul. Also, if you're a fan of sweet potatoes, Claiborne manages to sneak them into a surprising amount of recipes — from biscuits to hummus to smoothies!
Recommended by Carrie K.
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Jamie Loftus
[isbn]
"The Jamie Loftus Hot Dog Book," as my coworker and I have taken to calling it so we don't get fired, is exactly the kind of deep dive microhistory I live for. Loftus invites her reader along on a cross-country culinary road trip, during which she consumes an absolutely horrific amount of encased meat while exploring the history, politics, production (heed the content warnings here), regional varieties, and culture of hot dogs. Learn about... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Gabriel Garcia Marquez
[isbn]
Unanimously voted "Best Book I've Read," Garcia-Marquez created an entire world which at times feels more real and magical than our own. Follow the triumphs and tragedies of the Buendia family from the beginnings of civilization to the end!
Recommended by Adam B.
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Haines Matt
[isbn]
Living in Portland is great, but if there's one thing that could convince me to head back to Louisiana, it's king cake — specifically from the bakeries in this book. Vibrant and welcoming, like Mardi Gras itself, this book is a must-have for your coffee table. If you can manage to order a king cake for yourself (many of these bakeries ship), allow me to highlight Don Phuong's, Haydel's, and Randazzo's.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Carla Lalli Music
[isbn]
This book is the definition of elevated simplicity. Learn solid techniques, learn how to "spin it" (substitute ingredients to get more variety out of a single recipe), and use simple, quality ingredients to make satisfying, delicious, and healthy (!) meals. Great for cooks of all levels.
Recommended by Carrie K.
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David Sedaris
[isbn]
Sedaris at his candid and mischievous best! "I'll Eat What He's Wearing" still brings a little smile and snort/chuckle when I think of it.
Recommended by Adam B.
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Esteban Castillo
[isbn]
Look at this cover! I bet your mouth is immediately watering and your oven already is preheating!
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Ken Forkish
[isbn]
Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast is one of my favorite cookbooks, and I feel incredibly lucky to have this bread master giving us even more knead-to-know knowledge in a second book. (I'm sorry.) The great thing about bread (other than everything about consuming it) is it's a fun, achievable challenge to bake your first loaf, and a lifelong, delicious challenge to expand and perfect a recipe anew with every new technique and change in... (read more)
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Chris Scott and Sarah Zorn
[isbn]
The latest from Top Chef favorite Chris Scott, Homage explores the convergence of Dutch-German Amish food and Black Soul Food. Told through seven generations of family stories, photo collages, and one hundred down-home recipes, this is a perfect choice for anyone who loves a little history to go with their cooking adventures.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Paul Hollywood
[isbn]
Have you ever watched The Great British Baking Show and wished you could have Paul Hollywood in your kitchen to help you navigate the world of baked goods? Well, you can’t get much closer than Bake. It’s a terrific collection of pastries, biscuits, cakes, and breads, with easy-to-follow recipes and loads of tips and tricks to get Showstopper-worthy bakes from your own home kitchen.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Nik Sharma
[isbn]
Nik Sharma is the developer of the award-winning blog, "A Brown Table," and he also the weekly column "A Brown Kitchen." In this gorgeous book, he presents global eating, the foods and the techniques, that we can enjoy through his guidance. Think “Toasted Cumin Lemonade,” “Turkey with Cherry-Fennel Barbecue Sauce,” “Cocoa-Spiced Bean and Lentil Soup,” and “Elderflower and Ghee Cake.” This is the kind of cookbook I love because it celebrates... (read more)
Recommended by Marianne T
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Sadhbh Moore, Abi Aspen Glencross
[isbn]
There are lovely recipes here (grouped into categories for “Plants,” “Vaguean,” and “Omnivore”) but also wonderful tips for shopping, re-using, planning, and cleaning. This is a smart and helpful book and would make a great gift for someone starting out (or needing to break from bad habits!).
Recommended by Marianne T
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Anna Jones
[isbn]
My favorite feature of this cookbook is the “Ten Simple (name that vegetable) Ideas” that offer immediate gratification and are like brainstorming with a friend. The full recipes are wonderful too, and most are quick and easy to prepare. Check out Gobi Manchurian or Lemongrass and Tofu Larb. My partner doesn't even like tofu, but this one made the difference!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Priyanka Naik
[isbn]
I adore this cookbook. It's perfect for the adventurous foodie, especially for "Meatless Mondays." The book is broken down into different regions of the world but my favorite recipes in the book are definitely from India.The home fries on page 35 are AMAZING.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Paul Prudhomme
[isbn]
As Powell's resident Louisianian, born n' raised, I feel it is my duty to point out Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen as the sole cookbook you should be trusting when it comes to Cajun food. Many chefs and cooks visit New Orleans, fall in love, and feel inspired to create their own spin on Louisiana food (looking at you, California). But if you knew Louisiana food, you'd know this is a huge no-no, couillon. Don't mess wit'... (read more)
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Lorene Edwards Forkner
[isbn]
Lorene Edwards starts each chapter with thoughts that make you feel like you are getting advice from your friendly neighbor. I was impressed with the additional tips that help gardeners navigate our Pacific Northwest weather. My favorite part was being able to focus on one month at a time so I didn't get overwhelmed. A must have!
Recommended by Erica B.
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Kwame Onwuachi, Joshua David Stein
[isbn]
Kwame Onwuachi takes us on a culinary tour through the African diaspora in this gorgeous follow-up to his 2019 Notes From A Young Black Chef. This book is filled with gorgeous photography and bright, bold flavors celebrating the history and beauty of American cooking at its best.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Emily Meggett
[isbn]
Sit down with a frosty glass of sweet tea and visit for a while with Mrs Emily Meggett, matriarch of Edisto Island and elder of the Gullah Geechee community. In this book, you’ll find rich nuggets of American history tucked in between some of the best Southern cooking there is. The recipes here rely on fresh, seasonal flavors, abundant produce and seafood, as well as the rice that is the basis for all Geechee cooking. The recipes are sized to... (read more)
Recommended by Deana R.
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Diane Stein
[isbn]
As a reiki master myself, I find this book to be a classic guide to this ancient healing art, one that makes the experience of reiki accessible to all in clear and straightforward terms. It's not a substitute for traditional classes and attunements, but it serves as both an introduction and a refresher to hands on healing. I have a copy and have just purchased one for a friend.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Erin Gleeson
[isbn]
Erin Gleeson's Forest Feast books are half-cookbook half-artbook and full of tasty vegetarian recipes that are simple enough for a weeknight, but so visually appealing they will take pride of place on your Instagram feed. Her latest edition to the series showcases gorgeous recipes and locations from around her home state of California.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Rose Cheung, Genevieve Wong
[isbn]
Mother and daughter present traditional Chinese Medicine herbal approaches to healing in this attractive book. Many recipes rely on familiar items, while others stretched my repertoire, but a local specialty store carries everything I need. Did I say this book is beautifully illustrated too?!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Luz Calvo, Catriona Rueda Esquibel
[isbn]
The subtitle says it all — ”Plant-Based Mexican-American Recipes for Health and Healing.” This beautiful book is all about authentic foods that nurture and heal. Complex flavors, some long-forgotten, but clear and easy instructions throughout. Enjoy and be well!
Recommended by Marianne T
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Paul Arguin, Chris Taylor
[isbn]
My partner and I have already made several of the cookies in the book, and each one has been a hit. There's lots of fun, fresh twists on old favorites, all written in such a way that you feel like you're learning to bake from a close friend. It's become my new go-to cookie book!
Recommended by Deana R.
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Tal Ronnen
[isbn]
Fantastic plant-based restaurant and unbelievably good cookbook. Tal Ronnen, Oprah’s former personal chef and creative mind behind the plant-based brand Kite Hill (try the vegan ricotta), does not disappoint. I am not the only fan. Crossroads Kitchen has a loyal fan base including celebrities such as drummer Travis Barker and actress Susan Sarandon just to name a few. The recipes from this book are often featured in my dreams at night. I highly... (read more)
Recommended by Sydney W.
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Irma S. Rombauer and Marion Rombauer Becker and Ethan Becker and John Becker and Megan Scott
[isbn]
Every kitchen should have a copy of The Joy of Cooking. Need to braise a chicken? Joy will teach you how. Want to make strawberry jam? Joy will lead the way. Craving mapo tofu? Joy’s here for you. John Becker and Megan Scott’s fantastic 2019 update of this culinary classic guides home cooks through flan, sourdough, pad thai, fried chicken, cucumber pickles, escabeche, and... (read more)
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Americas Test Kitchen
[isbn]
One hundred and ten percent the best cookbook that I've ever bought. All of the recipes are, as the title suggests, five ingredients (or less!) and so simple that any level of home cook can pull them off. Incredibly easy and delicious dinners, all of them cheap. Customize any recipe to your preference because the ingredient list is so short, you can't mess it up. This is a must-have for any lazy, beginner, or busy cook; it's guaranteed to build... (read more)
Recommended by Eric L.
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Dorie Greenspan and Mark Weinberg
[isbn]
A Dorie Greenspan recipe is one that you can make successfully on the first try. Her recipes are simple and straightforward, easy to read and follow, and the end result is invariably incredible. In this new book, she gives us new recipes for classic items. I'll be baking my way through this book all winter long!
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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Angela Dimayuga and Ligaya Mishan
[isbn]
Is Filipinx the perfect cookbook? Every recipe is mouthwatering, every page is gorgeous and informative. I feel incredibly lucky that Dimayuga has shared these tasty dishes, made them accessible (even for a so-so cook like myself), and brought so much joy to my kitchen table. Be prepared to cook through the whole book.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Cecily Wong and Dylan Thuras and Atlas Obscura
[isbn]
For me, this extended period of “stay-at-home" has nourished an insatiable wanderlust. The greatest pleasures in traveling — both food and knowledge — are laid on the table in the brilliantly photographed Gastro Obscura. Leaf through this tome to discover beer made from fog, the delicacies of Delaware, and a fake banana, among other wonders.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Joshua McFadden and Martha Holmberg
[isbn]
The chef who changed the vegetable game with Six Seasons is back with a whole book devoted to the weird whole grains that beckon in the bulk aisle only to languish in the pantry. From crunchy quinoa tempura to sweet and savory takes on barley, Grains for Every Season is inventive, beautiful, and will get your hungry butt in the kitchen faster than you can say, “kamut pilaf.”
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Laurie Woolever
[isbn]
The story of Tony’s life told simply and honestly by those who knew him best. This book fills a small part of the gaping hole left by his passing, and is an engaging read for anyone his life has touched.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Alex Day and Nick Fauchald and David Kaplan
[isbn]
If you’re like me and read recipe books like novels and love to dive deeply into food nerdery, this new offering from America’s most influential cocktail bar will be right up your alley. There is loads of information on the why and how of mixing and creating cocktails, as well as more than 400 new recipes. Definitely a must-have for any cocktail enthusiast!
Recommended by Deana R.
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Devin Connell
[isbn]
With easy-enough-for-weeknights recipes and gorgeous photography, I know this is a cookbook I will return to over and over.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Alice Waters
[isbn]
Legendary chef Alice Waters knows that how and what we eat is a political, environmental, and humanitarian act that ricochets around the word, influencing ecosystems, labor, and equity. We Are What We Eat is her passionate plea to eat and act graciously, with the intention and compassion our planet (and our taste buds!) deserve.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Gregory Gourdet and J. J. Goode
[isbn]
Gregory Gourdet’s Everyone’s Table is an almost magical tome filled with delicious and surprising recipes for your next grain-free/dairy-free/legume-free feast. Nourishing and sumptuous, these dishes bring all the benefits of eating healthily without the disappointments of… eating healthily.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Michelle Zauner
[isbn]
At one point in her memoir, Michelle Zauner describes the quick ascent of her band Japanese Breakfast as “suspiciously charmed.” Any reader who has made it that far knows there’s nothing suspicious about it. Crying in H Mart is a skillfully written and deeply moving portrait of Zauner’s mother and their close, and at times strained, relationship. It is also a rumination on cultural distance and the power of food to bridge the gap — it is... (read more)
Recommended by Keith M.
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Hugh Amano, Sarah Becan
[isbn]
Mmmm. Shumai, xiaolongbau, mandu, and all those other dumplings whose names I don’t know that I usually just point to on a dim sum cart at my favorite Asian restaurant. This handy comic book cookbook introduces all you need to turn your kitchen into a dumpling cart. Includes pantry and equipment suggestions and best of all, simple drawings of how to fold your own dumplings. Dumplings from many Asian cultures are... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Matthew Raiford and Amy Paige Condon
[isbn]
Bress ’n’ Nyam is Gullah Geechee for “bless and eat.” CheFarmer (chef and farmer) Matthew Raiford raises food on the land that has been farmed by his family for six generations. This is as much a history of community as it is a cookbook about the lineage of African foodways. One of the first recipes in the book is for Reezy-Peezy, which I made for dinner. After having just one bite my husband said, “This is exactly what I was hoping to eat for... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Michael Moss
[isbn]
Moss exposes how the food industry uses our own psychology and biology to manipulate us, habituating consumers to processed food and destroying our health in the process. An infuriating look at the severely underregulated food industry and required reading for understanding why American life expectancy is declining.
Recommended by Emily B.
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Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever
[isbn]
Each entry in this posthumous collection of Bourdain’s reflections on world travel contains practical advice like how to get around and where to stay, but it’s his descriptions of local cuisine that will transport you. Bourdain’s reverence for good food, his sharp/disarming/uncouth delivery, and his knack for distilling flavors into words will make you feel as though you’re seated at the same table, savoring the same meal. I’ll be rationing this... (read more)
Recommended by Tove H.
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Mark Bittman
[isbn]
First, Mark Bittman brought us VB6. Now, he ratchets up his crusade to get people cooking and eating better by delving into our unsustainable, destructive, and unhealthy agricultural and food production systems. We don't need to buy more organic veggies, Bittman claims, we need to start a revolution. After reading this incisive book, I'm ready to appoint him leader.
Recommended by Matt K.
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Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage
[isbn]
What more can I say about Ottolenghi? Every cookbook is a delight of unbelievably delectable plant-based recipes, and will do wonders for chefs of all levels. Ottolenghi Flavor offers more than 100 mouth-watering dishes, and dives into fascinating core concepts like flavor pairings and cooking reactions that will enhance every meal you make.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Jenn Louis
[isbn]
I was a little skeptical when I first saw this title, but as soon as I saw the table of contents I understood — this is not about a single soup. With over 100 recipes from all over the world, Jenn Louis proves this hearty, comforting staple comes in many delicious forms: tom kha gai, poule au pot, green chili chicken stew, to name a few. The “chicken essentials” section has already improved my stock and changed my life.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Marcus Samuelsson
[isbn]
I can’t but help fall in love with every new Marcus Samuelsson cookbook and The Rise is no exception. The Rise is a global celebration of Black cooking and of Black cooks. Americans owe a great deal of our food history to unsung and forgotten cooks of yesteryear. Samuelsson brings back respect and a feel of history to these folks whom time and society have erased. Here are 150 Black American recipes will energize your kitchen.
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Vivian Howard
[isbn]
Vivian Howard is one of my favorite TV chefs and I adored her first cookbook, Deep Run Roots. So naturally, I am looking forward to This Will Make It Taste Good. Who doesn’t want their food to taste good? She has an easy teaching style and her flavors are bright and often simple. Howard is an outstanding chef who makes your home cooking taste like her restaurant cooking. One hundred and twenty-five recipes, and I have deep love... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Nik Sharma
[isbn]
Nk Sharma’s stunning Flavor Equation deserves to be shelved next to your copy of Salt Fat Acid Heat. Sharma makes the science of cooking cool, fascinating, and completely relevant to growing your skills in the kitchen. Backed by over 100 recipes that exemplify the text and fill the belly.
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Kate McDermott
[isbn]
I plan to be the most popular person at the Thanksgiving table this year with the help of local author Kate McDermott's Pie Camp. I loved her previous book, The Art of the Pie, and look forward to leveling up my pie skills. Maybe I'm just hungry, but every page of this book makes me want to get out a rolling pin and attempt to recreate her gorgeous pies.
Recommended by McKenzie W.
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Michael Pollan
[isbn]
Credited with igniting the mainstream's consciousness surrounding food, Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan carefully examines the culture and processes of the food we eat. A catalyst for various food movements in the 21st century, Pollan successfully wrote a text that challenged and changed the way omnivores the world over think about what's on their dinner plate.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Peter Mayle
[isbn]
British author Peter Mayle and his wife make real their dream of living in the French countryside when they purchase a 200-year-old stone farmhouse. When Mayle's publisher complains about the lateness of his expected manuscripts, Mayle writes back a detailed account of the trials and indignities he faces with the upkeep of said farmhouse. That letter to his publisher eventually becomes A Year in Provence, and the book is hilarious,... (read more)
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Americas Test Kitchen
[isbn]
Like chocolate? You’ll love Everything Chocolate. This is made up of an impressive assortment of decadent chocolate recipes. Whether it is a recreation of an Oreo-type sandwich cookie (but with more chocolate flavor) or a classic chocolate tart (with a gorgeous blood orange gelée topping), these are recipes built to share and show off with. However, no one will blame you if you make the Magic Chocolate Flan cake without sharing it with... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Molly Wizenberg
[isbn]
Memoirist and food writer Molly Wizenberg has been married to the same man for nearly a decade, and has always thought of herself as a straight person, when a chance encounter at jury duty (of all places) develops into a crush. Deeper feelings soon emerge — feelings she is unwilling to dismiss and unable to ignore. This insightful memoir follows Molly as she realizes that gender, sexuality, and love are much more fluid and expansive than she’d... (read more)
Recommended by Adam P.
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Kwame Onwuachi, Joshua David Stein
[isbn]
I loved Notes From a Young Black Chef, Kwame Onwuachi's memoir.
For such a young man, there is quite a lot of experiences packed into this book,
as he is hardworking, ambitious, and talented. If you're a foodie (I am not) or love
memoirs (I do!) this is an excellent read. Recipes included. Very impressive!
Recommended by Adrienne C.
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Antoni Porowski, Mindy Fox
[isbn]
Antoni Porowski, the food guy on Queer Eye, has been wowing viewers with his kind approach to introducing newbie cooks to the pleasures of cooking for themselves. He often uses simple foods with complex flavors to excite the new cook into showing off their new mad skills for their family and friends. In his new cookbook, he takes these complex flavors a step further. With his Polish family background he blends Polish recipes with his... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Wataru Yokota and Makiko Itoh
[isbn]
Some of my favorite travel experiences comes from finding some hole-in-the-wall place that serves amazing small bites — a bittersweet event because you know that after you return home you’ll never have those meals again. Well, if you are missing Japan’s bar food, The Real Japanese Izakaya Cookbook is here for the rescue. These are authentic recipes meant to be made in American kitchens. If you don’t regularly keep a few items such as... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Mandy Lee
[isbn]
You know those cookbooks where upon first look through you start flagging recipes with sticky notes? The Art of Escapism Cooking is one of those. And you know how sometimes there is one recipe that draws you in so much that you know it’s the first recipe you are going to make? In this case, Lamb and Cheese Slab Pie (rubbed with cumin-chili oil) knocked it out of the park for me. This recipe is a perfect example of the book at large: a mixture of... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Tiffany Dahle
[isbn]
This book has really yummy and EASY recipes. Some of my favorites are Pancake Donuts with Maple Glaze, Smart Cookies, and Giant Birthday Cookie Cake. I'm not a huge baker, but this book is easy to follow with my children and produces delicious treats. I love that it also includes decorating tips and substitution and measuring tricks. Perfect for me and my little bakers.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Americas Test Kitchen
[isbn]
What is everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving dish? The sides! What do you take to potluck? A side dish! America’s Test Kitchen brings their fully tested finesse to the glory of side dishes. While not a vegetarian cookbook, the meat dishes are far and few between. (But remember, meat lovers, it’s easy to throw some grilled sausage into a veg side.) This cookbook gets an A+ AND a gold star.
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Bobby Flay, Stephanie Banyas, Sally Jackson
[isbn]
These are the recipes a professional chef goes to for casual meals with family and friends. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks are all covered. These recipes are easy enough to make, without exotic ingredients, but will still elevate and broaden your go-to list.
Recommended by Bill L.
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Americas Test Kitchen Kids , Maddie Frost
[isbn]
This interactive board book is a favorite with my kids. They love pretending to help make these adorable cupcakes. My daughter's favorite page is where she has to shake the book to mix everything together. So much giggling! I love that it encourages helping out while also engaging the imagination. If your kids liked Press Here by Hervé Tullet, they will love Stir Crack Whisk Bake.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Erin Gleeson
[isbn]
Gleeson’s first cookbook has pride of place on my too-full shelves, but it’s going to be sharing the spotlight with Forest Feast Mediterranean, whose simple vegetarian recipes are accompanied by Gleeson’s equally mouthwatering watercolors and travel photography. Ideal for new vegetarian cooks who like their meals with a side of beautiful.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Michelle Lopez
[isbn]
If you’ve been casting lovelorn glances at your standing mixer as you hurry through each day’s endless to-do list, fret no longer. Lopez’s cheery and creative collection of time-saving recipes will reunite you with your mixing bowls. One bite of her Supernatural Brownies and you’ll be making baking a part of your everyday.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Questlove
[isbn]
Questlove: a musician who loves food as much as he loves music. In Mixtape Potluck, he invites celebrities, musicians, and chefs to share a favorite potluck dish. Questlove awards each dish a song that exemplifies the recipe and the person. (Martha Stewart gets Snoop Dogg’s "Life of the Party." Perfect.)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Hayley McKee
[isbn]
With delightfully inventive botanical alchemy — including combinations such as pumpkin and saffron, spiced parsnip and willow blossom, rock salt and rosemary — McKee's bakes are sure to dazzle the senses and enchant the eye.
Recommended by Caroline M.
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Jessie Sheehan, Alice Gao
[isbn]
The Vintage Baker is a gorgeous collection of retro favorites with a modern twist. Perfect for bakers of any skill set, these recipes don't require any obscure ingredients and are written with clear, easy-to-follow instructions. Make sure to try the Butterscotch Potato Chip Balls — they are perfection!
Recommended by Haley B.
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Brad Thomas Parsons
[isbn]
Parsons knows his spirits up and down (see his fabulous book on amaro), but in Last Call he hangs out on the other side of bar. This is a thoughtful, enjoyable look at the important social role that such establishments play from the perspective of the master storytellers and magicians who make it all happen, with recipes for "last request" cocktails both humble and artful.
Recommended by Eva F.
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Tyler Kord, Amanda Hesser, Merrill Stubbs
[isbn]
Kord is the genius behind A Super Upsetting Book About Sandwiches, which sold me immediately on this title. Going by Melissa Clark's theory that if it sounds bad, it's got to be good, I tried the chicken cooked in chocolate milk. It was great, as were the chicken and beans. This is an creative, flavor-smart collection of recipes for the home cook who isn't afraid to get a a little wild in the kitchen.
Recommended by Eva F.
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Jeff Gordinier
[isbn]
You don’t have to be an adventurous eater, a travel junkie, or a memoir lover to get tantalized by Hungry, food journalist Jeff Gordinier’s gripping account of journeying through Mexico, Denmark, and Australia with Noma chef René Redzepi. Just sit back and enjoy this feast of the senses.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Leslie Jonath, Molly De Coudreaux
[isbn]
Don’t try to do it all — do one thing very well. Feed Your People explains how to make simple, delicious dishes for groups from six to sixty. Plan ahead a little, enlist a friendly helper, cook in large batches, and then enjoy your party (and the food you make).
Recommended by Bill L.
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Jose Andres and Matt Goulding
[isbn]
Michelin-starred José Andrés focuses his passion on all things veggie in Vegetables Unleashed. Chef Andrés covers eating seasonally, best cooking techniques, and reestablishing vegetables as the sexy option on the plate in a french fry world. Turn to page 188 for a good example: Sancocho Puertorriqueño.
Recommended by Bill L.
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Kim Barnouin
[isbn]
I only read this book for work: all those customers asking me over and over what the book was about. I thought, It's short, just read it... so I did. But the "bitches" straight talk about veganism struck home with me, and I became a vegan (several years ago now), even though I was always one of those people who said they could never give up cheese. For someone who hates change and greets it kicking and screaming, Barnouin and Freedman... (read more)
Recommended by Dianah H.
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Alison Roman
[isbn]
Where some people have a sweet tooth, I have a sour tooth — which is why I LOVE Alison Roman, whose recipes are full of bright, acidic, unexpected flavors, with all the elegance and ease of home cook gurus like Melissa Clark and Ina Garten.
Recommended by Anna O.
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Alexis Mersel
[isbn]
Nicely nuanced recipes for the home cook who likes a lot of flavor but less of the fuss of traditional cooking methods. Some pressure cooking cookbooks seem to think the home cook looking for an easier way to cook is willing to sacrifice multiple ingredients in the name of time-saving. Not so Alexis Mersel. Her recipes are packed with seasoning. The desert section is dreamy.
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Chris Taylor, Paul Arguin
[isbn]
Is there anything new under the sun when it comes to the art of pie-making? Yes there is! Southern doctors and pie championship winners Chris Taylor and Paul Arguin have invigorated pie-making skills with inventive style. These pies are simply gorgeous and many are out-and-out showstoppers.
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Andy Ricker and JJ Goode
[isbn]
Portland chef Andy Ricker is one of the best, both in terms of his food and his writing. While his recipes can be complicated, his encouraging tone makes them accessible. In Pok Pok Noodles, his love of both noodles and Thailand shines through. Delicious, in every sense of the word!
Recommended by Leah C.
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Tyler Malek and JJ Goode
[isbn]
Remember the mundane days of ice cream? Chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. Scoop and repeat. Homemade ice cream will never again be boring with the help of the Salt and Straw Ice Cream Cookbook. All the Salt & Straw ice cream favorites you can possibly try, from the more sedate Stumptown Coffee and Burnside Bourbon to the spectacular Caramel Corn on the Cob and the savory Pear and Blue Cheese. It boggles the mind how these flavors can... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Cory Schreiber, Julie Richardson
[isbn]
Think of this as the dessert companion to Six Seasons, full of local produce simply prepared. A ricotta tart is heaped with fresh strawberries; raspberries melt into a creamy brown betty; a recipe for stone fruit slump calls for whatever peaches, nectarines, or plums you have on hand topped with tangy buttermilk dumplings. The perfect end to a great meal. Or breakfast. No judgement here.
Recommended by Eva F.
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Chungah Rhee
[isbn]
This is a great book for anyone interested in meal prep. I use her recipes all the time (page 135 is my all time favorite: Korean BBQ bowls, YUM). Her recipes are easy for me to adapt to my own style of cooking. I know the book itself seems like a little investment, but at $0.26/recipe, I think it's well worth it. And I've saved a lot by using her book for my weekly work lunches!
Recommended by Rose H.
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Ryan Alvarez, Adam Merrin
[isbn]
Oh these husbands who cook! They handheld their way into learning to cook, enjoying the process of cooking as much as the candle-lit dinners. There is so much personality in this cookbook that you’ll feel like a sibling or friend in the kitchen with them. The story behind the Communication Breakdown Carrot Cake will have you guffawing and teary-eyed at the same time. The Life-Changing Corn Bread will let you in on one family’s secret recipe.... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Anna Jones
[isbn]
A new Anna Jones cookbook is always a reason to celebrate. Her vegetarian recipes are luscious and elegant while also simple and easy to prepare. Early favorites of mine: Chocolate and Blood Orange Freezer Cake, Roast Leek Feta and Lemon Polenta Cake, and Grilled Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas. Sprinkled throughout are flavor maps to help guide us in making our own Anna Jones-inspired delicious meals. Oh, and the lovely photography is by Ana... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Diane Kochilas
[isbn]
Diane Kochilas’s companion to her TV series is a perfect blending of authentic Greek food with healthy American styling. She knows the history of this Mediterranean fare inside and out and brings this knowledge to the front in recreating these traditional recipes. Not just one but two recipes for Avgolemono soup (a comfort soup in my house) and a Avgolemono Risotto as well. The various sauces and dressings are worth the book alone. I love a Greek... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Lauren McDuffie
[isbn]
Award-winning blogger Lauren Angelucci McDuffie brings the down-home goodness of Appalachian cooking with its quiet Southern flair into your kitchen. Appalachian cooking comes from generations of salt of the earth folks making do with easily grown veg and fruit to make simple yet sumptuous meals. Moonshine, succotash, pimientos, and bourbon. This is a beautiful cookbook with soft and stark photos by the author. This is a perfectly giftable book,... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Linda Miller Nicholson
[isbn]
If you make pasta noodles, you will find Pasta Pretty Please a revelation. Using natural ingredients, author Linda Miller Nicholson makes vibrant, colorful noodles. She even makes this sound doable for the average home cook! Stars in your pasta, striped pasta, rainbow pasta, she’s done it all. There is even poo emoji image pasta that I wouldn’t make for myself, but I can think of a couple of kids I would love to surprise with a serving... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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America's Test Kitchen
[isbn]
If you know Cook's Illustrated then you know their scientific testing orientation toward cooking. You also know that their essays can be some of the finest food writing around. Revolutionary Recipes is made up of 25 years of some of the best of their innovative food articles. Revolutionary Recipes will make you cook smarter and better, and will entertain you along the way.
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Mary Berry
[isbn]
Ever watched The Great British Bake Off and thought you could make better desserts than the contestants if only you had a recipe? Look no further than Baking With Mary Berry, from the queen of British baking herself. Her instructions are easy to follow and the enticing color photographs had me bookmarking every page. I'm baking my way through cover to cover!
Recommended by Amanda P.
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Raleigh Briggs
[isbn]
An awesome do-it-yourself guide for simple remedies, medicines, and cleaners! I say simple, but you will acquire a lot of skills if you put any of these methods in practice. If you're interested in relevant homesteading skills in a fast-paced world where there is hardly any time for that, this is totally for you!
Recommended by Rin S.
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Vanessa Kimbell
[isbn]
This book is so beautiful I had to pick it up. The instructions are clear, including simple scientific reasons that tell you why to do something alongside how to do it. The loaves turned out chewy but not tough, and with a distinctive, earthy tang, better than any of my previous sourdough baking sessions. I can't wait to try some of her other, more creative leavens.
Recommended by Eva F.
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Jose Andres
[isbn]
As I read this book, a line from the cartoon movie Robots kept coming to mind: "See a need, fill a need." Chef Andrés flew to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to help feed residents for a few days. He ended up staying for weeks and eventually coordinated over two million meals across the island. We Fed an Island is an uplifting tale of community action. Andrés wears his heart on his sleeve, and his tenacity and compassion in... (read more)
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack
[isbn]
Wine appreciators, from novices to connoisseurs, will enjoy this newly expanded edition from the award-winning website WineFolly.com. Chock-full of well-organized and easy to use infographics, this guide makes a choice gift for any occasion.
Recommended by Aubrey W.
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Rene Redzepi and David Zilber
[isbn]
If you buy only one cookbook this year, I implore you to snatch up The Noma Guide to Fermentation. Written by the chefs behind Copenhagen’s world-famous restaurant, this incredible resource will teach you how to use the ancient art of fermentation in ways you never could have imagined.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Delish, Joanna Saltz
[isbn]
If you are looking for a cookbook that is just about enjoying the flavor of food, this is the one. Now, with every diet cookbook available, every chance to make bland taste better, it is really nice to find a book that reminds you even moderation should be taken in moderation. I have made several meals from this book, and each one has been tremendous. The snickerdoodle bars were by far the biggest hit for my kids.
Recommended by Molly E.
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Joel Gamoran, Katie Couric
[isbn]
Seattle author Joel Gamoran has given us a rare cookbook, one that makes use of kitchen scraps in ways that look amazing and taste delicious. Useless squash seeds turn into granola bars, stale potato chips become cookies, and herb stems make up a fancy salt. So many things that we all throw out (corn cobs, onion skins, fish skeletons) have a little more work to do before we compost them for good. Cooking Scrappy is a book for all home... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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