What is your favorite cookbook?

The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcela Hazan
Roast Chicken and Other Stories by Simon Hopkinson
Simple French Food by Richard Olney

My go-to favorite fall/winter cookbook is hands down is The Ski House Cookbook!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/030733998X/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=4145461435&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=543164831805131054&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&ref=pd_sl_486hf43n0t_e

luv jane grigson Good Things, Diana Kennedy, Nothing Fancy, Elizabeth David, Spices, Salt and Aromatics in the English Kitchen

Best all-purpose: How to Cook Everything, Bittman. Best regional cookbooks: Real Thai by Nancie McDermott, French Farmhouse Cookbook by Susan Herrmann Loomis, A Cook's Journey to Japan Sarah Marx Feldner.

Can't believe no one has mentioned Julia Child and "The Way to Cook"...

Can't believe no one has mentioned Julia Child and "The Way to Cook"...

"The slow Mediterranean kitchen" by Paula Wolfert. And, although they are not considered cookbooks, I love "The man who ate everything" and "It must have been something I ate" by Jeffrey Steingarten.

Michael Ruhlman plays Boswell to Thomas Keller's Johnson in "Bouchon" and "Ad Hoc at Home"

Judy Rodgers "The Zuni Cafe" is one that working cooks refer to for its clarity and sheer brilliance.

The most important chefs in America right now are all Korean American; David Chang "Momofuku". This guy will make you nuts but it's genius.

Sam is right about the old stuff; not just thrift stores but used bookstores and also estate sales.

Go to a thrift store...look at their books. Find old homespun self published booked from garden clubs etc. You'll find some real gems there. Often with handwritten notes in the margins.

Joe Beef
I'm Just Here For the Food
Au Pied de Cochon
Made in Italy

Man, there are really too many to count. This is what popped right of the top of my head.

Thank you everyone! I'm so grateful for this community of fine cooks. Now I have a list to work from for the next couple of years, at least.

Sorry- spell check! I meant to say 'old and new' recipes....

Sorry- spell check! I meant to say 'old and new' recipes....

Sorry- spell check! I meant to say 'old and new' recipes....

Umph...that's a hard one, indeed! I LOVE The Essestial New York Times Cookbook by Food52's very own Amanda Hesser! It's a magnificent mix of culinary history, culinary facts and tips, ok'd and new, professional chef and home cook. I literally have read it for hours on end- fascinating! Ina Garten is great for attractive, approachable, party food!

Thought you'd find this discussion interesting: http://www.food52.com/blog/3777_first_kitchen_your_10_essential_cookbooks_and_why_they_still_matter

Right now..."The Internet" is my favorite 'cookbook'.

The most recent cookbook I have bought is Marco Canora's Salt to Taste. He is the owner / chef at a Manhattan restaurant Hearth. His book comes hightly recommended by me.

I've bought and used over a thousand cook books. I've given most away and kept a few sentimental signed ones, or ones with great photos.
So, today my favorite cookbook is "Google" !

I think Rick Bayless's Mexican Kitchen is a fantastic cookbook. He of course gives recipes, but with every dish type and/or recipe he gives cultural/historical background, technical information, and tips and suggestions for variation/improvisational which can not only allow the home cook to tailor the dish to his or her tastes, but also allow the American cook to adapt the recipe according to what ingredients may or may not be available in their local stores. Comprehensive, brilliant, and inspiring!

Ottolenghi's Plenty - looking forward to Jerusalem, coming out soon (or maybe it's already out?)

David Thompson's Thai Food - for its encyclopedic, not-dumbed-down approach to Thai

Thank you so much for these wonderful suggestions! I can't wait to get started.

In Season by Sarah Raven
The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
Hunt, Gather, Cook by Hank Shaw
The Enchanted Broccoli Forest by Mollie Katzen

That's such a tough one! I'm still working on memorizing Ratio, by Michael Ruhlman, so I can just play and experiment at will in the kitchen.

A Year of Pies by Ashley English
Martha Stewart's Dinner at Home
Cook This Now by Melissa Clark