When I was learning to cook, I went to the library, borrowed cookbooks by the pound, and rampaged through epicurious.com and allrecipes. And while I've found many recipes by physical or electronic thumbing through, a few standbys will always have a smudgy, flour-y, oily place in our kitchen hall of fame. So if you're looking for a great cookbook, or a gift (either as a hint, or as a compliment), here are my 'money' books.
The Joy of Cooking--not so much for the recipes, though there are many good ones, but for the encyclopedic amount of information on all things food-related. I found out how to split a chicken, what kinds of fish there are, valuable descriptions of cooking techniques, and how to prepare a rabbit (though nary a bunny recipe will be found on Feeding My Ohana). Should come standard with every kitchen, right next to the coffee pot and the microwave.
Sam Choy's Aloha Cuisine. I love Sam Choy recipes because he uses simple ingredients that you typically have in your pantry. Shoyu, garlic, butter, peanut butter, miso, ginger, sugar. And it comes out whoo-hoo(!!)-good. There are several Sam Choy cookbooks, but this one has the best balance of all of the 'good' recipes, plus lots of pictures. The one caveat is that I cannot vouch for the chicken luau because I don't eat that one...
Tyler Florence. The American version of Sam Choy. Great flavors, easy-to-follow and no wild-goose-chase for small bits of esoteric ingredients. Brined pork chops are one of our favorites.
Additionally, always have a few community cookbooks--my Mom's Episcopal Church and a couple from the Buddhist churches, and one from the Teacher's fundraiser (ca 1978). This is where real at-home, family-style cooking shows up. Tastes great yet ultimately very pragmatic.
We have many more cookbooks, but these are the ones I reference most for recipes or just more ideas. Happy Holidays & Happy Eating :)
Additionally, always have a few community cookbooks--my Mom's Episcopal Church and a couple from the Buddhist churches, and one from the Teacher's fundraiser (ca 1978). This is where real at-home, family-style cooking shows up. Tastes great yet ultimately very pragmatic.
We have many more cookbooks, but these are the ones I reference most for recipes or just more ideas. Happy Holidays & Happy Eating :)
