Good Enough to Read

Khalil fills us in on some of his favorite cookbooks

By Khalil Hymore

I love cookbooks, and I own a lot of them. I also spend a lot of time evaluating cookbooks for magazines. This past weekend, in fact, I made a few recipes from a lovely new cookbook, which I will not name, as they were disappointingly disastrous. Beware of glossy pictures and flawless food styling as they are not always indicative of good recipes. Of the many, many, many cookbooks I do own, I only use a handful of them regularly. These are some of my favorites.

Barefoot in Paris, Ina Garten
You cannot go wrong with a Barefoot Contessa recipe. Not only are Ina Garten's recipes foolproof, but they are easy to follow and call for ingredients which are readily available at well-stocked grocery stores. I recommend Paris because I love the way Ina demystifies French cooking for the home cook. Highlights include Ina's Herb-Baked Eggs, Boeuf Bourguinon, and her Lemon Meringue Tart. Ooh-La-La!

The Silver Palate Cookbook, Julie Rosso and Sheila Lukins
This was my mom's go to book. She always consulted it first. I have grown-up with many of the recipes in this book and continue to cook from it today. In fact, I have inherited my mom's dog-eared edition, which I love because it is stained and creased from her cooking. My mom never threw a party without serving the Pate Maison, a chicken liver pate.

The Joy of Cooking, Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker
Everyone should own a copy of Joy. In fact, I own two--a current edition from last year and an old 1960's edition (they really are quite different). I consult them regularly. The recipes may not be trendy, but they are rather definitive and they work. The Joy of Cooking is a great reference tool as well, providing the history and variations of many dishes. The cooking methods and techniques section in the back of the book is simply indispensable.

The French Laundry Cookbook, Thomas Keller
I almost never cook from this book, since most of the recipes seem to require a full kitchen staff, but sometimes it is nice to own cookbooks that inspire you. I love perusing the pages and photos of The French Laundry Cookbook for inspiration when I am feeling blah. It is easy to see why Thomas Keller is considered a culinary God. His dishes are thoughtful, elegant, and unique. They are works of art. This book doesn't belong in your kitchen--it belongs on your coffee table! When I do cook from this book, I often make truncated versions of some of his dishes with excellent results. The Salad of Petite Summer Tomatoes, for example, is topped with a small scoop of Vine-Ripe Tomato Sorbet, which I love to make and eat on its own.

Patricia Wells at Home in Provence, Patricia Wells
I have never made a bad dish from this book. Patricia Wells is famous in France for her books and it is easy to understand why. Her recipes call for simple unadulterated ingredients that transport you to the French countryside. Patricia's recipes also elicit the most wonderful scents when you are preparing them--making them the perfect ones to bust out for guests. Although this is not a vegetarian cookbook, the vegetable recipes really shine. Her Tomato Clafoutis and Caramelized Fennel Soup are the perfect dishes to serve to your vegetarian friends.

More From Magnolia, Allysa Torey
As much as I groan and roll my eyes whenever I see the long lines waiting for a Magnolia Bakery cupcake, I have to admit that the recipes from this famous bakery's cookbook always please. The recipes are traditional Americana and full of down-home goodness. I even think that the cupcakes I make from the book are better than the ones you get at their bakery--although I could be biased.

Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook, Martha Stewart
Leave it to Martha to assemble the greatest baking cookbook of all time. I love this book and use it regularly. It has already become a classic in my kitchen. This book includes recipes for every skill level, with easy to read directions and a source guide in the back for hard to find items. Some of my favorite recipes from this book include the Plum Coffee-Cake Muffins, the Individual Potato and Onion Tartes Tatin, and the best Challah bread you will ever taste in your life. Your Jewish grandmother cannot make Challah this good!

These are just a sampling of some of my favorite books to cook from. I do use others from time-to-time, but these are my tried and trues. Let me know what some of your favorites are, because I'm always on the lookout.