Here's one that hasn't been mentioned yet -

Sunset Easy Basics for Good Cooking

My mom gave it to me 20 years ago when I moved into my first apartment and I still return to it over and over again. Lots of pictures.

Anonymous wrote:Joy of cooking, America's test kitchen

We have shelves of cookbooks and these are the 2 we actually use.

Also fans of Pierre Franey Cuisine Rapide and Jacques Pepin Fast Food My Way.

To have around as references: all of Bittman's, America's Test Kitchen

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison for anything but meat. We are not vegetarians, but love vegetables and all kinds of foods tha do not contain meat. Some really excellent recipes in here.

The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters for all kinds of simple recipes that are delicious. Good for weeknight meals.

Cooks Illustrated Cookbook for all kinds of basics.

The I Hate to Cook Book -- out of print, but hilarious reading. And a few good recipes for comfort food. Meat loaf, pot roast, etc. No food pictures, only a few line drawings.

How to Cook Everything (Bittman) -- good basics with good flavor, not too many steps. It has replaced Fannie Farmer as my go-to for basic reference (how long, what temp). No pictures.

1960-ish Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book -- best classic baking recipes. Garish color photos (color printing wasn't all that great then).

Real Simple cook books -- I've had pretty good luck with these. Nothing earth shattering, but if you are bored of doing things the same ol' way and want to get out of your rut, they have new ideas that are still pretty simple and quick.

America's Test Kitchen cookbooks have great explanation of WHY things should be done a certain way, but most of their recipes (even the so-called family-friendly ones and slow-cooker ones) have way too many prep steps. I have a slow cooker b/c I want to spend 15 minutes in the morning and come home to dinner ready to be served. I don't have an extra hour to dice, saute, etc, in the morning. Sheesh.

All of the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks. Ina will not steer you wrong.

Of course the evern classic Silver Palatte.

Classic semi complicated cooking that renders truly gourmet meals.

Victory Garden Cookbook - everything you ever wanted to know about cooking just about any veggie from A-Z.

Anonymous wrote:Bittman how to cook everything. Otherwise we mostly do internet/magazines.

+1

Bittman how to cook everything. Otherwise we mostly do internet/magazines.

Plenty is my favorite right now. The pictures are great. The only problem I have is that everything looks so fantastic that I can't make up my mind what to cook!

Joy of cooking, America's test kitchen

Interestingly enough, this cookbook has recipes that are simply too intense for lack of a better word to actually attempt at home. Momofuku by David Chang. However it is great reading in terms of Asian food, new ingredients and a passion for cooking. It almost reads like a novel. Favorite cookbook for real life-Joy of Cooking. It's the all inclusive encyclopedia for wannabe chefs.

Dinosaur BBQ. It's awesome. Favorite recipes are

Mojito chicken
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Mac & Cheese shepards pie

There are others I'm missing I'm sure. We're trying to make an effort to try even more recipes.

What is your favorite cookbook and why? Preferably ones with pictures!