One of my weaknesses is cookbooks. At the library, I can easily come by with stacks of them. Most of them I flip through pretty quickly, with maybe only 1 or 2 recipes sticking out to me. There are just a small handful of cookbooks that I turn to again and again and have a permanent spot on my shelf.

Barefoot Contessa Cookbook Collection: Pat got this for me for Christmas a few years ago, this set really covers the basics of good old American cooking. Ina Garten is spot on with all her recipes, everything is seasoned so well and and delicious. You can never go wrong with Ina! If I’m looking for a basic, classic recipe, this is the set I go to.

Maagnchi’s Real Korean Cooking: This cookbook is like the Barefoot set, but for Korean cooking. I’d heard of Maangchi and her wild pink hair and Youtube videos but was always deterred by not aesthetically pleasing website. But then, she hooked me, with her video on how to make your own soybean paste. After checking out this book first from the library, I found countless recipes that remind me of my mom’s and aunt’s cooking, my Korean comfort food. I soon after bought my own copy.

Vegetable Literacy: I am passionate about gardening and growing my own food. I can’t get enough of it. This book celebrates vegetables and makes them the focal point of every dish, instead of the afterthought. I find that even when you put the tiniest thought and effort into vegetables, they transform. This book is packed full of recipes from countless types of vegetables, along with great information and some helpful garden wisdom.

Super Natural Everyday: I do my best to cook with whole grains, vegetables, and in general good for you ingredients. Heidi Swanson really nails it. I’m amazed at how much flavor she develops from such “healthy” ingredients. I’ve learned a lot from her cookbook and food blog, she’s definitely worth following if you are interested in natural foods.

And a few honorable mentions.

I’ve been tempted to add The Art of Simple Food II to my library, I love Alice Water’s cooking philosophy, I learn a lot from her. My friend sent me Small Victories as a gift and I’ve been loving it, such a great gem of a book if you’re learning to cook or want some new ideas to make food taste even better.