 | Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer
Buy new: $23.10 / Used from: $11.99 foundation #1: The Classic. this book is the centerpiece of almost every cooking library I know, and with good reason - it's comprehensive, accessible, and a great place to turn for reference.
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 | The New Best Recipe: All-New Edition by Cook's Illustrated Magazine
Buy new: $23.10 / Used from: $19.95 foundation #2: The Technique. the editors of this cookbook have done all the trial-and-error for you. Follow their instructions to the letter for foolproof basics, which can then be varied infinitely.
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 | The Dean and DeLuca Cookbook by David Rosengarten
Buy new: $18.45 / Used from: $1.47 foundation #3: Showing Off. 8-hour, 4-course bouillabaise? check. Exotic, unexpected lamb preparations? check. Turn to this book on special occasions, or when you want to challenge yourself.
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 | On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee
Buy new: $26.40 / Used from: $19.99 Foundation #4: The Reasons Why. an accessible, readable, fascinating approach to the science of food. Be able to explain why meat tastes different when it's braised vs. when it's grilled.
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 | Simple to Spectacular: How to Take One Basic Recipe to Four Levels of Sophistication by Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Buy new: $29.70 / Used from: $12.93 Foundation #5: Elevating Food to Art. the step-by-step approach to each recipe shows you how to raise the bar for each of your dishes. As the preps get harder, you become a better, smarter chef.
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 | Room For Dessert : 110 Recipes for Cakes, Custards, Souffles, Tarts, Pies, Cobblers, Sorbets, Sherbets, Ice Creams, Cookies, Candies, and Cordials by David Lebovitz
Buy used from: $91.47 Foundation #6: Dessert. It's the best collection of dessert recipes out there, plain and simple.
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 | Frank Stitt's Southern Table: Recipes and Gracious Traditions from Highlands Bar and Grill by Frank Stitt
Buy new: $26.40 / Used from: $7.71 Definitive Southern. mindblowingly versatile sauces and side dishes.
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 | Staff Meals from Chanterelle by David Waltuck
Buy new: $19.77 / Used from: $12.97 Definitive Family/Dinner Cooking #1. Try the fried chicken, the macaroni and two cheeses, and any of the asian-inspired dishes.
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 | Sunday Suppers at Lucques: Seasonal Recipes from Market to Table by Suzanne Goin
Buy new: $23.10 / Used from: $19.95 Definitive Family/Dinner Cooking #2. extraordinary fruits and vegetables
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 | The New Spanish Table by Anya von Bremzen
Buy used from: $5.73 Definitive Spanish. anything involving potatoes is marvelous. don't overlook the weirder desserts - roquefort ice cream? amazing.
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 | Molto Italiano: 327 Simple Italian Recipes to Cook at Home by Mario Batali
Buy new: $27.00 / Used from: $19.45 Definitive Italian. not a bad recipe in the bunch.
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 | Bistro Cooking by Patricia Wells
Buy new: $10.85 / Used from: $3.92 Definitive Bistro. And a great read.
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 | Jewish Cooking in America: Expanded Edition (Knopf Cooks American) by Joan Nathan
Buy new: $23.10 / Used from: $4.94 Definitive Jewish
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 | Madhur Jaffrey Indian Cooking by Madhur Jaffrey
Buy new: $23.10 / Used from: $16.98 Definitive Indian
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 | The Barbecue! Bible: Over 500 Recipes by Steven Raichlen
Buy used from: $1.98 Definitive Barbecue
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 | Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1 by Julia Child
Buy new: $19.00 / Used from: $27.42 Definitive French #1
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 | Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 2 by Julia Child
Buy new: $37.80 / Used from: $29.00 Definitive French #2
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 | Celebrate! by Sheila Lukins
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $0.01 Organized chronologically through the year, this book of menus for holidays, parties, and special occasions will outfit you for anything.
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