Best Cooking & Food Books 2019

Mouth-wateringly good reads. The best cooking and food books published in 2019.

See all of our 2019 Best Books lists.

 
Admony, Einat & Janna Gur. Shuk: From Market to Table, the Heart of Israeli Home Cooking. Artisan. ISBN 9781579656720.
Admony and Gur blend common ingredients with creative preparations and techniques. Their sides and mains are both flavorful and inspired, centered on the shuks, or open-air markets, of Israel.
 
Berens, Abra. Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables. Chronicle. ISBN 9781452169323.
A good introduction to vegetables of all kinds, from leafy greens to roots. The collection is easy to browse for quick meal ideas.
 
 
Bittman makes good on his promise of recipes that anyone can turn to in a pinch. Many of the recipes can be made with everyday staples or modified to meet individual tastes and preferences.
 
Donofrio offers a perfect resource for situations when one has a fridge full of produce or vegetables and is unsure what to make. She helpfully includes advice for mastering kitchen staples, preventing food waste, and working with dietary restrictions.
 
 
Khan, Yasmin. Zaitoun: Recipes from the Palestinian Kitchen. Norton. ISBN 9781324002628.
Besides offering winning meals, including sides, salads, and soups, this cookbook features an index of dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan recipes. The uncomplicated, easy-to-find ingredients are ideal for busy weeknights.
 
Kysar, Alana. Aloha Kitchen: Recipes from Hawai’i. Ten Speed. ISBN 9780399581366.
This standout collection offers simple, crowd-pleasing recipes ideal for family dinners, potlucks, and more. Many of the Hawaiian ingredients can be replaced with accessible options or selections from your local Asian market.
 
Music, Carla Lalli. Where Cooking Begins: Uncomplicated Recipes to Make You a Great Cook. Clarkson Potter: Crown. ISBN 9780525573340.
Food writer Music presents easy-to-follow plant- and meat based-dinners and side dishes. This is a good introduction for beginners that includes detailed instructions and visual tutorials on food shopping, preparation, and techniques.
 
Nguyen, Andrea. Vietnamese Food Any Day: Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors. Ten Speed. ISBN 9780399580352.
The latest from Nguyen is an approachable take on Vietnamese food, from sauces to dinners to desserts, with flavorful recipes such as grilled lemongrass pork chops. An introduction on perfecting rice sets the standard for the rest of the book.
 
Onwuachi, Kwame & Joshua David Stein. Notes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir. Knopf. ISBN 9781524732622.
Look to this inviting book for stories of home, family, struggle, and flavors. Each chapter is capped by a recipe, inviting the reader to savor the tastes of Onwuachi’s memories.
 
Sussman, Adeena. Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors from My Israeli Kitchen. Avery. ISBN 9780525533450.
The latest from food writer Sussman offers bright, refreshing dishes of flavorful Israeli cuisine alongside regional staples. With influences ranging from her California roots to current Tel Aviv kitchen, Sussman’s plant and meat-based recipes are vibrant and varied.
 
 
 
 
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