Every home cook has their cookbooks: the ones front and center on their shelf, the ones they turn to advice, for courage, for inspiration.
We want to hear yours.
Shop the Story
Leave your 10 essential cookbooks in the comments section of this post (we know, it’s hard), and help us create The FOOD52 Cookbook Library. We’ll choose the top 10 cookbooks from all of your answers, and Jane Mount from Ideal Bookshelf will do an original painting and printing of their bindings (see below for an example). When the top 10 are announced the week of June 25, Jane’s print will be offered in the FOOD52 Shop for only $19 (that’s 32% savings exclusively for FOOD52). There will also be a special offer for FOOD52 community members to order their own custom painting!
Just like we crowd-sourced our cookbooks and our iPad app, we’re crowd-sourcing our list of favorite cookbooks, and creating a piece of art along with it.Â
And the best part? One lucky commenter who submits their top 10 will win Jane’s original painting of The Food52 Essential Cookbooks (a $345 value).Â
Now, tell us! What are your 10 essential cookbooks?
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Written by: Brette Warshaw
Popular on Food52
330 Comments
Emma C.
January 26, 2014
Hi, Just to let you know I've tallied all of the votes and created a list by most popular:
http://www.gustoso.com.au/blog/review/the-top-49-essential-cookbooks-as-voted-for-on-food52-com/
http://www.gustoso.com.au/blog/review/the-top-49-essential-cookbooks-as-voted-for-on-food52-com/
GregoryBPortland
September 19, 2012
How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
Jamie at Home by Jamie Oliver
The Classic Italian Cookbook by Marcella Hazan
Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen by LIdia Bastianich
The Essential New York Times Cookbook by Amanda Hesser
All of Lee Bailey's Cookbooks
Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan
Maida Heatter's Book of Great Desserts by Maida Heatter
Cook with Jamie by Jamie Oliver
Bistro Cooking by Patricia Wells
Jamie at Home by Jamie Oliver
The Classic Italian Cookbook by Marcella Hazan
Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen by LIdia Bastianich
The Essential New York Times Cookbook by Amanda Hesser
All of Lee Bailey's Cookbooks
Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan
Maida Heatter's Book of Great Desserts by Maida Heatter
Cook with Jamie by Jamie Oliver
Bistro Cooking by Patricia Wells
GregoryBPortland
September 19, 2012
How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
Jamie at Home by Jamie Oliver
The Classic Italian Cookbook by Marcella Hazan
Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen by LIdia Bastianich
The Essential New York Times Cookbook by Amanda Hesser
All of Lee Bailey's Cookbooks
Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan
Maida Heatter's Book of Great Desserts by Maida Heatter
Cook with Jamie by Jamie Oliver
Bistro Cooking by Patricia Wells
Jamie at Home by Jamie Oliver
The Classic Italian Cookbook by Marcella Hazan
Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen by LIdia Bastianich
The Essential New York Times Cookbook by Amanda Hesser
All of Lee Bailey's Cookbooks
Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan
Maida Heatter's Book of Great Desserts by Maida Heatter
Cook with Jamie by Jamie Oliver
Bistro Cooking by Patricia Wells
luvcookbooks
September 19, 2012
Good Things, by Jane Grigson
How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman
Quick and Easy Vietnamese, by Nancie Macdermott
The Supper Book by Marion Cunningham
The Breakfast Book by Marion Cunningham
The Essential New York Times Cookbook, by Amanda Hesser
Salts, Spices and Aromatics in the English Kitchen, by Elizabeth David
The Savory Way, by Deborah Madison
Enchanted Broccoli Forest, Mollie Katzen
Pastries from La Brea Bakery, Nancy Silverton
How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman
Quick and Easy Vietnamese, by Nancie Macdermott
The Supper Book by Marion Cunningham
The Breakfast Book by Marion Cunningham
The Essential New York Times Cookbook, by Amanda Hesser
Salts, Spices and Aromatics in the English Kitchen, by Elizabeth David
The Savory Way, by Deborah Madison
Enchanted Broccoli Forest, Mollie Katzen
Pastries from La Brea Bakery, Nancy Silverton
luvcookbooks
September 19, 2012
Good Things, by Jane Grigson
How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman
Quick and Easy Vietnamese, by Nancie Macdermott
The Supper Book by Marion Cunningham
The Breakfast Book by Marion Cunningham
The Essential New York Times Cookbook, by Amanda Hesser
Salts, Spices and Aromatics in the English Kitchen, by Elizabeth David
The Savory Way, by Deborah Madison
Enchanted Broccoli Forest, Mollie Katzen
Pastries from La Brea Bakery, Nancy Silverton
How to Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman
Quick and Easy Vietnamese, by Nancie Macdermott
The Supper Book by Marion Cunningham
The Breakfast Book by Marion Cunningham
The Essential New York Times Cookbook, by Amanda Hesser
Salts, Spices and Aromatics in the English Kitchen, by Elizabeth David
The Savory Way, by Deborah Madison
Enchanted Broccoli Forest, Mollie Katzen
Pastries from La Brea Bakery, Nancy Silverton
ramrak
July 4, 2012
The Kitchen Diaries, Nigel Slater
The Cook's Companion, Stephanie Alexander
Bill's Open Kitchen, Bill Granger
Fresh, Marie Claire
Encyclopaedia of Food and Cooking, Margaret Fulton
Winter on the Farm, Matthew Evans
Jamie Does... ,Jamie Oliver
Jamie's Italy, Jamie Oliver
The Complete Asian Cookbook, Charmaine Solomon
Saraban, Greg Malouf
Cooking and Travelling in Southwestern France Stephanie Alexander
Food Heroes, Rick Stein
The Free Range Cook, Annabel Langbein
The Pie and Pastry Bible, Rose Levy Barenbaum
The Handmade Loaf, Dan Lepard.
The Cook's Companion, Stephanie Alexander
Bill's Open Kitchen, Bill Granger
Fresh, Marie Claire
Encyclopaedia of Food and Cooking, Margaret Fulton
Winter on the Farm, Matthew Evans
Jamie Does... ,Jamie Oliver
Jamie's Italy, Jamie Oliver
The Complete Asian Cookbook, Charmaine Solomon
Saraban, Greg Malouf
Cooking and Travelling in Southwestern France Stephanie Alexander
Food Heroes, Rick Stein
The Free Range Cook, Annabel Langbein
The Pie and Pastry Bible, Rose Levy Barenbaum
The Handmade Loaf, Dan Lepard.
ramrak
July 4, 2012
The Kitchen Diaries, Nigel Slater
The Cook's Companion, Stephanie Alexander
Bill's Open Kitchen, Bill Granger
Fresh, Marie Claire
Encyclopaedia of Food and Cooking, Margaret Fulton
Winter on the Farm, Matthew Evans
Jamie Does... ,Jamie Oliver
Jamie's Italy, Jamie Oliver
The Complete Asian Cookbook, Charmaine Solomon
Saraban, Greg Malouf
Cooking and Travelling in Southwestern France Stephanie Alexander
Food Heroes, Rick Stein
The Free Range Cook, Annabel Langbein
The Pie and Pastry Bible, Rose Levy Barenbaum
The Handmade Loaf, Dan Lepard.
The Cook's Companion, Stephanie Alexander
Bill's Open Kitchen, Bill Granger
Fresh, Marie Claire
Encyclopaedia of Food and Cooking, Margaret Fulton
Winter on the Farm, Matthew Evans
Jamie Does... ,Jamie Oliver
Jamie's Italy, Jamie Oliver
The Complete Asian Cookbook, Charmaine Solomon
Saraban, Greg Malouf
Cooking and Travelling in Southwestern France Stephanie Alexander
Food Heroes, Rick Stein
The Free Range Cook, Annabel Langbein
The Pie and Pastry Bible, Rose Levy Barenbaum
The Handmade Loaf, Dan Lepard.
MMERanger
June 30, 2012
Joy of Cooking - Rombauer/Becker
One-Pot Vegetarian Dishes - Amy Cotler
Vegetable Haven - Mollie Katzen
The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook - Hearts Books
Vegetarian Express - Nava Atlas & Lillian Kayte
Hungry Girl 200 Under 200 - Lisa Lillien
The Meat Lover's Meatless Cookbook - Kim O'Donnel
The Vegetarian Family Cookbook - Nava Atlas
One-Pot Vegetarian Dishes - Amy Cotler
Vegetable Haven - Mollie Katzen
The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook - Hearts Books
Vegetarian Express - Nava Atlas & Lillian Kayte
Hungry Girl 200 Under 200 - Lisa Lillien
The Meat Lover's Meatless Cookbook - Kim O'Donnel
The Vegetarian Family Cookbook - Nava Atlas
Shri
June 28, 2012
Baking From my Home to yours - Dorie Greenspan
Modern Spice - Monica Bhide
Street food of India - Sephi Bergerson
Martha Stewart Baking Handbook
Vegetarian Cooking for everyone - Deborah Madison
Barefoot Contessa Books - Ina Garten
Silver Spoon- Phaidon
The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen - Peter Berley
How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking by Nigella Lawson
Mexican Everyday - Rick Bayless
Modern Spice - Monica Bhide
Street food of India - Sephi Bergerson
Martha Stewart Baking Handbook
Vegetarian Cooking for everyone - Deborah Madison
Barefoot Contessa Books - Ina Garten
Silver Spoon- Phaidon
The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen - Peter Berley
How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking by Nigella Lawson
Mexican Everyday - Rick Bayless
dbcurrie
June 28, 2012
1) Joy of Cooking - 50's era
2) Joy of Cooking - New (or new-ish) edition
3) Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook
4) Baking with Julia
5) King Arthur Flour's Baking Companion
6) Ball Blue Book of Canning
7) Lidia's Family Table
8) Authentic Mexican - Rick Bayless
9) Ratio - Ruhlman
10) Cookwise
If the two Joy of Cooking editions could count as one book I'd add The Perfect Scoop.
2) Joy of Cooking - New (or new-ish) edition
3) Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook
4) Baking with Julia
5) King Arthur Flour's Baking Companion
6) Ball Blue Book of Canning
7) Lidia's Family Table
8) Authentic Mexican - Rick Bayless
9) Ratio - Ruhlman
10) Cookwise
If the two Joy of Cooking editions could count as one book I'd add The Perfect Scoop.
jac_73
June 24, 2012
Fanny Farmer - Marion Cunningham
In the Sweet Kitchen - Regan Daley
United States of Pie - Adrienne Kane
Forgotten Skills of Cooking - Darina Allen
How to Be A Domestic Goddess - Nigella Lawson
The Art of Eating In - Cathy Erway
The Pleasures of Cooking for One - Judith Jones
Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens
In the Sweet Kitchen - Regan Daley
United States of Pie - Adrienne Kane
Forgotten Skills of Cooking - Darina Allen
How to Be A Domestic Goddess - Nigella Lawson
The Art of Eating In - Cathy Erway
The Pleasures of Cooking for One - Judith Jones
Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens
LeeLeeBee
June 22, 2012
In addition to receiving the original painting, it would be neat for the winner to receive a set of the 10 essential cookbooks to gift to a friend just learning how to cook.
The Essential New York Times Cookbook - Hesser
The Joy of Cooking (75th Anniversary edition)
Colorado Collage - Junior League of Denver
Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. I&II - Child
The Art of Simple Food - Waters
Sunday Suppers at Lucques - Goin
Classic Indian Cooking - Sahni
Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking - Hazen
Silver Palate Cookbook (25th Anniversary edition)
All About Braising - Stevens
The Essential New York Times Cookbook - Hesser
The Joy of Cooking (75th Anniversary edition)
Colorado Collage - Junior League of Denver
Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. I&II - Child
The Art of Simple Food - Waters
Sunday Suppers at Lucques - Goin
Classic Indian Cooking - Sahni
Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking - Hazen
Silver Palate Cookbook (25th Anniversary edition)
All About Braising - Stevens
Louise Q.
June 22, 2012
1. Cake Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum
2. Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1-Julia Child
3. Larousse Gastronomique
4. On Food and Cooking, 1st Ed.-Harold McGee
5. Baking: From My Home to Yours-Dorie Greenspan
6. English Bread & Yeast Cookery-Elizabeth David
7 & 8. La Technique & La Methode-Jacques Pepin
9. La Varenne Pratique-Anne Willan
10. Santa Monica Farmers Market Cookbook-Amelia Saltsman
2. Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1-Julia Child
3. Larousse Gastronomique
4. On Food and Cooking, 1st Ed.-Harold McGee
5. Baking: From My Home to Yours-Dorie Greenspan
6. English Bread & Yeast Cookery-Elizabeth David
7 & 8. La Technique & La Methode-Jacques Pepin
9. La Varenne Pratique-Anne Willan
10. Santa Monica Farmers Market Cookbook-Amelia Saltsman
ndubu656
June 21, 2012
Roasting - Kafka
Moosewood cookbook - Katzen
Breakfast Book - Cunningham
Silver Palate Cookbook - Lukins/Russo
Cuisines of Mexico - Kennedy
The Gourmet Cookbook - Reichl (yellow one)
The Book of Jewish Food - Roden
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone - Madison
Cake Bible - Beranbaum
Fannie Farmer
Moosewood cookbook - Katzen
Breakfast Book - Cunningham
Silver Palate Cookbook - Lukins/Russo
Cuisines of Mexico - Kennedy
The Gourmet Cookbook - Reichl (yellow one)
The Book of Jewish Food - Roden
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone - Madison
Cake Bible - Beranbaum
Fannie Farmer
oriordan
June 20, 2012
How to Cook Everything - Mark Bittman
Simply French - Patricia Wells and Joel Robuchon
The Way to Cook - Julia Child
Weber's Art of The Grill
The New Basics - Julie Rosso and Sheila Lukins
Jamie at Home - Jamie Oliver
The Classic Italian Cookbook - Marcella Hazan
Simply French - Patricia Wells and Joel Robuchon
The Way to Cook - Julia Child
Weber's Art of The Grill
The New Basics - Julie Rosso and Sheila Lukins
Jamie at Home - Jamie Oliver
The Classic Italian Cookbook - Marcella Hazan
Melange
June 20, 2012
How much fun is this? Here are my faves:
1. Joy of Cooking Rombauer
2. How to Cook Everything Mark Bittman
3. Tyler's Ultimate Tyler Florence
4. The Surreal Gourmet Entertains Bob Blumer
5. Lidia's Italian American Kitchen Lidia Bastianich
6. Barefoot Contessa Parties Ina Garten
7. Barefoot Contessa at Home Ina Garten
8. Emeril's New New Orleans Cooking
9. Down-Home Wholesome Dannella Carter
10. Delilah's Everyday Soul Delilah Winder
1. Joy of Cooking Rombauer
2. How to Cook Everything Mark Bittman
3. Tyler's Ultimate Tyler Florence
4. The Surreal Gourmet Entertains Bob Blumer
5. Lidia's Italian American Kitchen Lidia Bastianich
6. Barefoot Contessa Parties Ina Garten
7. Barefoot Contessa at Home Ina Garten
8. Emeril's New New Orleans Cooking
9. Down-Home Wholesome Dannella Carter
10. Delilah's Everyday Soul Delilah Winder
slsnyc
June 20, 2012
First I had to think... do I use 10 different ones? But I love the print (the painting even better) so thought I would give it a try.
1. The Splendid Table's How to Cook Supper (Lynn Rosetto Kasper & Sally Sweet)
2. Mark Bittman's Kitchen Express, my current "go to". I probably should get his new "Basics"!
3. Great Food Fast from Everyday Food
for reference
4. The Victory Garden Cookbook (before I had Food 52, my go to source for basic veggie info.)
5. Vintage (early 70's?) Betty Crocker cookbook for classic cookie recipes (rare occasion.)
6. The Fannie Farmer Cookbook by Marion Burroughs
7. The Cook's Bible by Christopher Kimball
Most of my old favorite cookbooks have remained untouched since I use Food 52 and recipes from Mark Bittman from NYT.
1. The Splendid Table's How to Cook Supper (Lynn Rosetto Kasper & Sally Sweet)
2. Mark Bittman's Kitchen Express, my current "go to". I probably should get his new "Basics"!
3. Great Food Fast from Everyday Food
for reference
4. The Victory Garden Cookbook (before I had Food 52, my go to source for basic veggie info.)
5. Vintage (early 70's?) Betty Crocker cookbook for classic cookie recipes (rare occasion.)
6. The Fannie Farmer Cookbook by Marion Burroughs
7. The Cook's Bible by Christopher Kimball
Most of my old favorite cookbooks have remained untouched since I use Food 52 and recipes from Mark Bittman from NYT.
Cody,Buchholz
June 20, 2012
In no specific order:
The Whole Beast - Fergus Henderson
The Flavor Bible - Page & Dornenburg
Sauces - James Peterson
Herbs & Spices - Jill Norman
What to Drink with What you Eat - Page & Dornenburg
The Joy of Cooking - Rombauer & Becker
Sundays at Moosewood - The Moosewood Collective
On Food and Cooking - Harold McGee
Le Guide Culinaire - Escoffier
Larousse Gastronomique
The Whole Beast - Fergus Henderson
The Flavor Bible - Page & Dornenburg
Sauces - James Peterson
Herbs & Spices - Jill Norman
What to Drink with What you Eat - Page & Dornenburg
The Joy of Cooking - Rombauer & Becker
Sundays at Moosewood - The Moosewood Collective
On Food and Cooking - Harold McGee
Le Guide Culinaire - Escoffier
Larousse Gastronomique
kellyhere
June 20, 2012
Desserts That Have Killed Better Men Than Me, Jeremy Jackson
Lidia's Italian American Kitchen, Lidia Bastianich
A Platter of Figs,David Tanis
Chez Panisse Cookbook, Alice Waters
The Zuni Cafe, Judy Rodgers
Authentic Mexican, Rick Bayless
Moosewood Cookbook, Mollie Katzen
Local Flavors, Deborah Madison
The Splendid Table, Lynn Rosetto Kasper
The Cake Bible, Rose Levy Berenbaum
Lidia's Italian American Kitchen, Lidia Bastianich
A Platter of Figs,David Tanis
Chez Panisse Cookbook, Alice Waters
The Zuni Cafe, Judy Rodgers
Authentic Mexican, Rick Bayless
Moosewood Cookbook, Mollie Katzen
Local Flavors, Deborah Madison
The Splendid Table, Lynn Rosetto Kasper
The Cake Bible, Rose Levy Berenbaum
Mmmolly
June 20, 2012
The Victory Garden Cookbook - Morash
The Way to Cook - Child
Essentials of Classic Indian Cooking - Hazan
Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cooking
The Breakfast Book - Cunningham
The Cook's Illustrated Complete Book of Poultry
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone - Madison
Around My French Table - Greenspan
Make the Bread, Buy the Butter - Reese
Delia Smith's Winter Collection
The Way to Cook - Child
Essentials of Classic Indian Cooking - Hazan
Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cooking
The Breakfast Book - Cunningham
The Cook's Illustrated Complete Book of Poultry
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone - Madison
Around My French Table - Greenspan
Make the Bread, Buy the Butter - Reese
Delia Smith's Winter Collection
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