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