The world knows Julia Child as the charismatic woman who brought French cuisine to America and became a TV sensation, but there's one aspect of her life that's not so familiar. Soon after the Childs arrived in Paris in 1948, a French cat appeared on their doorstep, and Julia recalled, Our domestic circle was completed.   Minette captured Julia's heart, igniting a lifelong passion for cats equaled only by her love of food and her husband, Paul. All the cherished feline companions who shared Julia's life''in Paris, Provence, and finally California reminded her of that magical time in Paris when her life changed forever.

Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn inspired a revival of artisanal sausage making and bacon curing with their surprise hit, Charcuterie. Now they delve deep into the Italian side of the craft with Salumi, a book that explores and simplifies the recipes and techniques of dry curing meats. As the sources and methods of making our food have become a national discussion, an increasing number of cooks and professional chefs long to learn fundamental methods of preparing meats in the traditional way. Ruhlman and Polcyn give recipes for the eight basic products in Italy’s pork salumi repertoire: guanciale, coppa, spalla, lardo, 

Amanda Cohen does not play by the rules. Her vegetable recipes are sophisticated and daring, beloved by omnivore, vegetarian, and vegan diners alike. Dirt Candy: A Cookbook shares the secrets to making her flavorful dishes—from indulgent Stone-Ground Grits with Pickled Shiitakes and Tempura Poached Egg, to hearty Smoked Cauliflower and Waffles with Horseradish Cream Sauce, to playfully addictive Popcorn Pudding with Caramel Popcorn. It also details Amanda’s crazy story of building a restaurant from the ground up to its success, becoming one of the most popular restaurants in New York City—all illustrated as a brilliant graphic novel

(Buy Now on Amazon)

When Charles Phan opened his now- legendary restaurant, The Slanted Door, in 1995, he introduced American diners to a new world of Vietnamese food: robustly flavored, subtly nuanced, authentic yet influenced by local ingredients, and, ultimately, entirely approachable. In this same spirit of tradition and innovation, Phan presents a landmark collection based on the premise that with an understanding of its central techniques and fundamental ingredients, Vietnamese home cooking can be as attainable and understandable as American, French, or Italian.

Throughout each of the eight featured regions, Accarrino offers not only a modern version of Italian cooking, but also his own take on these constantly evolving regional specialties. Recipes like Fried Rabbit Livers with Pickled Vegetables and Spicy Mayonnaise and Fontina and Mushroom Tortelli with Black Truffle Fonduta are elevated and thoughtful, reflecting Accarrino's extensive knowledge of traditional Italian food, but also his focus on precision and technique.  In addition to recipes, Accarrino elucidates basic kitchen skills like small animal butchery and pasta making, as well as newer techniques like sous vide ef which are prodigiously illustrated with step-by-step photos.

(Buy Now on Amazon)

Some people say you can only learn to cook by doing. So Adam Roberts, creator of the award-winning blog The Amateur Gourmet, set out to cook in 50 of America's best kitchens to figure out how any average Joe or Jane can cook like a seasoned pro. From Alice Waters's garden to José Andrés's home kitchen, it was a journey peppered with rock-star chefs and dedicated home cooks unified by a common passion, one that Roberts understands deeply and transfers to the reader with flair, thoughtfulness, and good humor: a love and appreciation of cooking. Roberts adapts recipes from Hugh Acheson, Lidia Bastianich, Roy Choi, Harold Dieterle, Sara Moulton, and more.

Bengalis have been compared to the French in terms of food-obsessed peoples, as dining and entertaining are such an integral part of the culture. The book begins with a thorough introduction to Bengali culture and cooking, including sections on spices, ingredients, and equipment. Following are recipe chapters (incorporating a balance of traditional and contemporary recipes) on Rice & Breads, Lentils, Fried Vegetables and Fritters, Vegetarian First Courses, Vegetarian Entrees, Eggs, Fish, Chicken & Poultry, Meat Dishes, Chutneys & Relishes, Drinks & Snacks, and Desserts.

The most important movement in that symphony's centuries-old existence is now beginning. And that future is... what? A world of gray monochromatic flavor, or one rich with a rainbow of flavors that capture the myriad pleasures and diversity of the cocoa bean? In the spirit of Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, Raising the Bar: The Future of Fine Chocolate tells the story of what that next movement in the fine flavor chocolate symphony might hold. Told in four lively parts covering everything from before the bean to after the bar-genetics, farming, manufacturing, and bonbons-the book features interviews with dozens of international stakeholders across the fine flavor industry to consider the promises and pitfalls ahead. It looks through what is happening today to understand where things are going, while unwrapping the possibilities for the millions and millions of us who believe that life without the very best chocolate is no life at all.
(Buy Now on Amazon)

Try your hand at stir-fried potato slivers with chili pepper, vegetarian Gong Bao Chicken . Sour and-hot mushroom soup, or, if youre ever in need of a quick fix, Fuchsias emergency late-night noodles. Many of the recipes require few ingredients and are ridiculously easy to make. Fuchsia also includes a comprehensive introduction to the key seasonings and techniques of the Chinese kitchen. With stunning photography and clear instructions, this is an essential cookbook for everyone, beginner and connoisseur alike, eager to introduce Chinese dishes into their daily cooking repertoire. 150 color photographs

Cook your way through culinary treasures like San Francisco's Mission-style burrito and Southern California's fish taco, New Mexican chile verde and the Northwest's huckleberry cobbler - Western flavors that have a place on every table, anywhere.


(Buy Now on Amazon)

Learn from a wide range of cheese making professionals and discover delicious artisan recipes with The Cheesemaker’s Apprentice! This step-by-step book contains interviews with worldwide experts on everything from culture strains to pairings, while the easy-to-follow, original tutorials outline this fun, productive, and classic skill. You’ll also find an array of mouthwatering homemade recipes that will help you apply these newly-gained tips and techniques,
(Buy Now on Amazon)

What could be better than a cupcake? How about 150 cupcakes? In this new cupcake compendium from Better Homes and Gardens, you'll find tons of creative recipes and decorations for everyone's favorite little treat. From traditional cupcakes to fancy new ideas, you'll find a cupcake here for any and every occasion, from tried-and-true favorites to creatively decorated designs for celebrations and holidays. Beautiful full-color photos accompany every recipe while an entire section on cupcake basics covers simple recipes, converting cakes to cupcakes, and cupcake decorating tools and techniques.
(Buy Now on Amazon)

What kind of pie conveys the experience of starting a new job, getting married, becoming a mom? Over 30 of the country's top foodies are here to tell you. Each one has devised a pie recipe that captures the essence of her life. Stir in beautiful photography, short essays, and brief bios, and voilá, you've got more than a cookbook: you've got Pieography.
(Buy Now on Amazon)

From James Beard Award-winning writer Elissa Altman comes a story that marries wit to warmth, and flavor to passion. Born and raised in New York to a food-phobic mother and food-fanatical father, Elissa was trained early on that fancy is always best. After a childhood spent dining everywhere from Le Pavillion to La Grenouille, she devoted her life to all things gastronomical, from the rare game birds she served at elaborate dinner parties in an apartment so tiny that guests couldn't turn around to the eight timbale molds she bought while working at Dean & DeLuca, just so she could make tall food.
(Buy Now on Amazon)

This remarkable Belize Cookbook is unique among all the cuisines of the world, Belizean food (similar to Caribbean Recipes) and dishes represent a remarkable collaboration between peoples, generations, ingredients and cooking styles from far and wide. Flavors of Belize is the most beautiful and comprehensive compilation of Belizean recipes and culture ever assembled, and features exquisite recipes from appetizers to main dishes and desserts, there is a Belize recipe for everyone!
(Buy Now on Amazon)

Without mantras or manifestos, 29 writers serve up sharp, sweet, and candid memories; salty irreverence; and delicious original recipes.  Food is so much more than what we eat. The Cassoulet Saved Our Marriage is an anthology of original essays about how we learn (and relearn) to eat, and how pivotal food is beyond the table. 
(Buy Now on Amazon)

Vegan Secret Supper is a collection of imaginative, delectable, animal-free recipes by chef Mérida Anderson of VSS (Vegan Secret Supper), a dining club that she has run in Vancouver, Montreal, and New York. At VSS, Mérida creates amazing vegan dishes that prove that sophisticated, spectacular dinner parties do not require the use of animal products.

The alimentary canal is classic Mary Roach terrain: the questions explored inGulp are as taboo, in their way, as the cadavers in Stiff and every bit as surreal as the universe of zero gravity explored in Packing for Mars. Why is crunchy food so appealing? Why is it so hard to find words for flavors and smells? Why doesn’t the stomach digest itself? How much can you eat before your stomach bursts? Can constipation kill you? Did it kill Elvis? InGulp we meet scientists who tackle the questions no one else thinks of—or has the courage to ask.
(Buy Now on Amazon)

It's Nonna Mima's birthday, and Nonna Lidia and her grandkids are determined to throw her a surprise feast! While planning the evening's menu, Nonna Lidia shares her memories of growing up on the farm during each season of the year, gardening her own fruits and vegetables, and being surrounded by animals of all kinds. After a trip to the farmers' market, Lidia and the kids prepare a pasta primavera, perfect for a family celebration!
(Buy Now on Amazon)

Sweet and savory variations of this petite puff are appearing on restaurant menus and at farmer's markets across North America. The widespread availability of the pans at department and super stores has encouraged home cooks to join in the fun of this tasty treat. Originally only available at Williams-Sonoma stores, the pans are now a top selling item at many mass merchants and gourmet stores.  Ebelskivers, with their ideal shape and size, appeal to home cooks of all kinds for all occasions. This fantastic cookbook goes well beyond a collection of recipes, as it is an appliance/equipment handbook, too.

Whether it's a beveled antique jar picked up at a flea market, or that classic Mason jar saved at the back of a kitchen cupboard, all kinds of containers can become sparkling, creative and beautiful ways to prepare and serve divine desserts. These sublime recipes are single-serving treats, which makes them the perfect ending to a family meal or dinner party. They also make a great gift, staying fresh and traveling well -- perfect for making ahead.
(Buy Now on Amazon)

Whatever the skin type, whatever the skin condition, the reader will find all the help needed to ensure healthy skin in this new book. Every skin condition -- whether minimal or out of control -- can be improved and look fantastic within 8 weeks simply by following this holistic, natural approach. Everyone can gain health benefits from being on the Healthy Skin Diet because it is a commonsense program for lifestyle change, designed to fit into anyone's life.

These outstanding recipes were originally created for Crudessence, the authors' restaurant and catering service, which is based on respect for living things and global well-being, which in turn promotes a healthy and responsible lifestyle. Rich in nutrients and enzymes, the recipes are recognized for their ability to revitalize and alkalinize the body.
(Buy Now on Amazon)