The Best Books to Give Cooks

Jessica Koslow of Sqirl in Los Angeles brings us her first cookbook, abounding with a new wave of California cooking. Slightly health-conscious but no-doubt delicious, these 100 recipes are inspired by the real, wholesome foods around us. The sorrel-pesto rice bowl is an absolute must.

$28, amazon.com

Did we mention that we have a cookbook writer on staff? Call it a shameless plug, but our own Ann Taylor-Pittman authored this cookbook that walks you through every ancient grain, from quinoa to farro, amaranth to wild rice. Through her creative and clever use of whole grains, she developed 175 tasty recipes that can be enjoyed for any occasion and any meal.

$17, amazon.com

Chef Ashley Christiansen of Raleigh, North Carolina is the mastermind behind Poole's Diner, a historic landmark that has put a modern, approachable spin on Southern classics. The simple, often whimsical dishes in Poole's dazzle. Go for the pan-roasted scallops with olive gremolata.

$27, amazon.com

The best way for a young chef to learn is to get them in the kitchen and practicing. There may be no better way to instill a love of good food in your kids than by having them learn to cook. Melina Hammer helps them develop fundamental skills, harness their curiosity, and turn out tasty, family-friendly dishes. Our favorite is the Moroccan Pickled Carrots.

$11, amazon.com

The senior food editor and host of sister brand Food & Wine's video series "Mad Genius," Justin Chapple brings his A-game in this clever, fun cookbook. Spilling all his favorite tricks, hacks, and secrets to success in the kitchen, Chapple effortlessly brings new uses to everyday kitchen and home items.

$30, amazon.com

Soup is the ultimate comfort food, and there's nothing better to cozy up to during the holiday season than a homemade bowl. Whether you are cooking for a potluck or need a simple weeknight dinner, Kathy Gunst is your go-to. She suggests sides for each soup, plus stocks and toppers to help you up your game. We love the "No Cream" Cream of Celery Root Soup with Fried Capers.

$21, amazon.com

Chef turned world-traveling food icon, Anthony Bourdain delivers nothing short of authentic, straight-up home-cooking. With a wealth of experiences and cuisines to choose from, Bourdain chooses his personal favorites in a succinct display of recipes that are absolutely integral for the home cook to know and understand. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or hosting a crowd of people, Bourdain's recipes will keep you excited and keep the appetites of those consuming your food full and satiated.

$23, amazon.com

Chef Vivian Howard of PBS's A Chef's Life and her coastal North Carolina restaurant Chef and the Farmer, brings a fresh take to Southern classics. Whether you're a beginner in the kitchen or can find your way around proficiently, Howard's cookbook offers recipes for all skill sets.

$28, amazon.com

Mark Ladner, the head chef at acclaimed Del Posto, has completely revolutionized Italian-American cooking. The cookbook includes recipes from Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich that translate beautifully from the world of restaurants to the home kitchen. This is an essential for the family-style cook.

$43, amazon.com

Genevieve Ko has mastered the art of creating tasty, rich pastries that pride themselves on wholesome, natural ingredients without sacrificing flavor or quality. By scaling back on your typical baking staples like butter and white sugar, Ko incorporates nontraditional ingredients that do the trick while also providing unique and unrivaled flavors to cakes, galettes, and more.

$21, amazon.com

Rich Landau and Kate Jacoby take cooking with vegetables to the next level in this 100-recipe, jam-packed cookbook. Heavy on bold, surprising flavors, and taking inspiration from street foods across the world, this can take your home cooking from ordinary and boring to rich and exciting. Aside from vegetables, there is a churro ice cream sandwich that is calling your name.

$17, amazon.com

This simple, informative cookbook offers delicious vegetarian meals for two. Most of Carla Snyder's recipes take 40 minutes or less. While streamlined, flavors are nuanced, with enough punch to satisfy meat eaters. The ricotta frittata with spinach, corn, and sun-dried tomatoes is at the top of our list.

$17, amazon.com

Like most cooks, Ina Garten takes great pride and pleasure in cooking for her loved ones, including her husband, Jeffrey. In one of her most personal and charming cookbooks yet, Ina opens the windows into her home kitchen and family, allowing us to whip up anything from her traditional brisket dish to a light, wholesome kale salad with pancetta and pecorino.

$21, amazon.com

Marcella Hazan, one of the applauded chefs who made Italian cooking as popular in America as it is today, brings an informative look into what makes the best ingredients and how to best prepare and cook these foods. This collection is an absolute essential, whether an avid or somebody who's just starting to get their hands wet.

$14, amazon.com

The tired old stereotype of bad British food is being dispelled. The London Cookbook by Aleksandra Crapanzano shows how, with recipes that are sophisticated yet cook-friendly from the city's best chefs and restaurants. Our favorite dish is the fennel and watercress soup.

$19, amazon.com

Written by triplet sisters, Jessica, Jill, and Jennifer Emrich, Eat Drink Shine explores healthy cooking from many different perspectives. Offering both Paleo and gluten-free recipes, this fresh, informative cookbook also offers tips for fermentation, sustainable eating, and a healthy, balanced lifestyle. This is the perfect cookbook to start your 2017 off on a clean, refreshed slate.

$21, amazon.com

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto delivers simple yet elegant dishes from Japan's inherently clean cuisine. Ecco, 288 pages

$34, amazon.com

Anthony Bourdain's favorite recipes, distilled from years of cooking and world travel. A showcase for his singular voice and his eclectic (and often healthful) food. Ecco, 304 pages

$23, amazon.com

Celebrated cocktail journalist Robert Simonson explains how Americans became so booze-savvy this millennium. Includes recipes for 40 "modern classics." Ten Speed Press, 352 pages

$20, amazon.com

To celebrate the 175th anniversary of photography and the beginnings of photojournalism, the editors of TIME magazine are publishing this visual book to highlight some of the most influential and monumental photography that can be found at TIME.com. Whether it's Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium or Iran's 2009 protests, the images in this book capture some of the world's most important and life-changing moments in history.

$25, shop.time.com