Cookbooks & Food Writing

This is my favorite kind of cookbook: personal, welcoming, and absolutely delicious. As much a narrative of Shaya’s life (from Israel to Philadelphia, Italy to New Orleans) as a collection of recipes, the warmth and quality of his writing had me reading this book cover to cover like a novel. That Shaya’s food (Southern-Israeli-Italian) shines even brighter than his exceptional prose is no surprise, as he is an acclaimed restaurateur and a two-time James Beard Award winner. But what has caught me off guard is how much this book lingers in my mind even when I’m nowhere near the kitchen. - S.B.

This is a beautifully curated, deliciously updated version of the original. Filled with accessible recipes that have a fancy feel, it is easy to flip through for hours and always land on something to love. It is organized by meal type and includes notes about whether the recipe is best for two people, special occasions, or as a weekday staple. Along with its mouth-watering photography, it includes stories at the start of each recipe that bring us into the creative process of cooking for the people we love. - Megan

I love Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard’s cooking, and I am beyond excited about her newest cookbook. While Gather & Graze is not for the novice, it has plenty of basic recipes and simple sauces that anyone can make. Izard is real about what to spend money and time on versus what to cut corners on. I can’t wait to read this. - Jax 

As a life-long griller and lover of fire, this book expanded my love of grilling. Its song playlists and recipes for adult beverages help the barbecuer enjoy the time spent waiting for the coals to be ready. Fire Food is a great mix of recipes, grilling techniques, and inspiration for entertaining. My weekend plans are set for the summer: I’ll be grilling my way through this book! - S.L.

Finding Fire is beautifully illustrated and celebrates the ancient beginning of cooking food: the fire. So much of cooking depends on having a mental file cabinet of techniques and ideas about presentation. Hastie takes the reader on a visual journey while exploring the power of fire. - S.L.

Native Parisienne Clotilde Dusoulier is the perfect person to write this love letter to the food of Paris. With great charm and warmth (so familiar to readers of her culinary blog Chocolate & Zucchini), Dusoulier shares 100 of her favorite recipes for a wide range of foods, from classic French dishes to those inspired by the diverse communities living in Paris today. Whether you’ve been to the City of Light multiple times or just dream of going, use this book to bring the flavors of Paris to your kitchen. - S.B.

If you’re a big fan of citrus, you’ll find so much to love in this little book. It has recipes for delicious variations of lemonade (like Frozen Limonada), ice pops, sorbets, and several alcoholic drinks, too. Personal favorites: The Middle Eastern Limonana (like a lemon mojito without the rum) and The Waterlemon (watermelon, lemon, sugar, and a pinch of salt), which I’m planning to make all summer long. - S.B.

A book for anyone who wants to waste less food, get more creative in their use of leftover ingredients, or generally feel more confident in the kitchen. Full of enormously practical advice, Adler's essays on cooking and eating are also beautifully written and reassuringly focused on eating well rather than 'correctly'. - Ilana

When I read Tamar Adler’s first book, An Everlasting Meal, I was taken by her lovely way with words. There is a timeless quality to her writing, which makes the focus of her new book—rekindling classic recipes—a perfect pairing. From Steak Diane to Peach Melba, Oysters Rockefeller to Shrimp Scampi, Adler muses on the original recipes for these dishes, then updates them with modern techniques and flavors. Nostalgic, but forward thinking, this is food writing at its best. - S.B.

This cookbook contains the essentials, no more and no less. David Bez expands on the recent “grain bowl” trend to provide a myriad of easy dinner ideas. His recipes require some very basic cooking knowledge, but they are not daunting. If you’re bit intimidated by cookbooks, and you’re always asking “what do I make for dinner?”, this cookbook is your new best friend. - Natalie