
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison
I use Deborah all the time. Elegant, concise, relatively easy, and fabulous flavor combinations.
The Joy is my cooking bible. Not kidding. Deborah and The Joy are my go-to books.
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Professional Cooking by Wayne Gisslen
You don’t need to be a professional to get loads of helpful insight from this book. The instructions are easy to understand, and it’s filled with explanations, base recipes and techniques—-it will definitely assist you in becoming versatile!
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On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee
I am not as familiar with this one, but everyone tells me they love it…
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Hors d’ oeuvres by Martha Stewart
There’s just something about Martha…
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Mexico One Plate at at Time by Rick Bayless
Rick so lovingly walks you through the steps, the history, the culture, all with incredible recipes. Yum.
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The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg
Awesome reference book for expanding one’s understanding of flavor combinations.
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Smoke and Spice by Cheryl and Bill Jamison
I am currently being mentored on barbeque and smoking techniques, and this is my teacher’s Smoking Bible.

Vegetable Literacy by Deborah Madison
Vegetables by families…and more of Deborah’s elegant yet accessible creations.
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Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz
Ginger beer, kimshee, sauerkraut, kombucha—-yes, everything can be smoked and everything can be fermented. Delicious and healthy techniques, and fun reading.

Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson
Beautiful imagery and fabulous flavors, learn how to set up your own whole foods kitchen.

Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson
More goodness by Heidi!

The Splendid Table by Lynne Rossetto Casper
This was the first book I bought when beginning to learn real cooking way back when. Fabulous recipes and background stories, it helped me understand.
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Fäviken by Magnuus Nilsson
Local food in Sweden all year round, for the truly brave at heart. I love his philosophy.

Living Cuisine by Renée Loux
Recommended by friends as a must-have book for learning about raw foods.
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Mediterranean Light by Martha Rose Shulman
Some fun recipes for lighter cooking.
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The Athlete’s Plate by Adam Kelinson
Thorough introduction for eating healthy as an endurance athlete. Adam is both a chef and an athlete (how handy), providing loads of information on sports nutrition as well as tasty recipes to carry out the plan.
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OTHER BOOKS
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An Edible History of Humanity by Tom Standage
Excellent book for those who want to understand how this all happened. Food Anthropology, with great writing.
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Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton
I had to continually put down the book and catch my breath while I absorbed the powerhouse paragraphs that Gabrielle dished out. Wow. The best description of line cooking I’ve ever heard. Could be the best everything I’ve ever heard.

Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation by Michael Pollan
Delving into Fire, Water, Air and Earth Michael explores our cooking and cultural evolution. Another incredible book that I don’t have to write.
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Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
It’s a classic. A biological anthropological story of us, and what we eat.
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Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl
She is an incredible writer, how many times does it need to be said?
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Comfort Me with Apples by Ruth Reichl
Memoir, Part 2.
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Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
What can I say, I am a total sucker for the Mexican Surreality! Recipes with every chapter.
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Time by Andy Goldsworthy
Incredible photos of his incredible temporary art.
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The Creative Entrepreneur by Lisa Sonora Beam
A fun and explorative way to write a business plan— a lot of work, but well worth it. Do it with a group!
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The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Over two years and I am still writing my daily morning pages that began with this book. A 12-step process for reclaiming your art. Awesome.
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Eat Right for Your Blood Type by Dr. Peter J.D’Adamo
I personally think this theory makes a lot of sense, but you may have to read and try it to believe it.
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Pronoia by Rob Brezsny
Rob, Rob, Rob, I love you.
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Born To Run by Christopher McDougall
Running barefoot can change your life (I’ve seen it happen!).
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Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar and Survival by Bent Formby
It may not be my favorite style of writing, but the theory is totally fascinating.
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