Europe, Asia, & Middle East cuisines offer tremendous variety. There is so much for me to learn and I am anxious to get started. Stay tuned! As I learn to cook, my list of favorites will continue to grow!
Simple French Food – Richard Olney: Richard Olney is one of my greatest inspirations. This book is about creating simple food. Simple in terms of ingredients and not necessarily in terms of easy. Richard Olney was a master at his craft. He was the originator of the local food movement before there was one.
Mastering the Art of French Cooking – Julia Child: Every cookbook library should have a copy of this set (or at least volume 1). Julia will teach you how to cook and guide you through a lifetime of fantastic meals. This book is a staple in any cookbook library.
Around my French Table – Dorie Greenspan: This book is from the author of Baking with Julia. It has a lot of simple and approachable recipes. It has a pizza recipe made from puff pastry that I really want to try.
Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking – Marcella Hazan: If you are looking for a core cookbook on Italian cooking, Marcella Hazan’s cookbook should be your first purchase. This is one of the most beloved cookbooks on Italian cuisine and it should be in every cook’s personal library.
How to Eataly: A Guide to Buying, Cooking & Eating Italian Food – Mario Batali: I really like this book because it shows the variety of Italian cooking. It covers both ingredients and methods of cooking. It has classic pasta recipes and antipasto platters as well as many that showcase the depth and range of Italian cooking.
Plenty – Yotam Ottolenghi: The photography is amazing. The recipes are amazing. Everything about this book is amazing. For us meat eaters, you will even forget that it is vegetarian. Stunning is how I can describe this book.
Plenty More – Yotam Ottolenghi: Thi s is more of Ottolenghi’s mastery. Just like Plenty, the photos are incredible and the recipes are even more incredible. If you want to try new flavors and spices, Plenty and Plenty More will be a treat for you!
Jerusalem: A Cookbook – Yotam Ottolenghi: This book has pretty much become a modern day classic. The photos of the streets, restaurants, and home kitchens in Jerusalem are incredible. The recipes are fantastic and not too difficult.
Pok Pok: Food and Stories from the Streets, Homes, and Roadside Restaurants of Thailand – Andy Ricker: The author owns a famous restaurant in Portland called Pok Pok. He opened it after spending years in Thailand. This is the best Thai cookbook that I have in my collection.
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Amy is the host of the cooking show "Amy Learns to Cook." She is a self confessed "cookware junkie" who has an entire room in her house filled with cookware and kitchen gadgets. She is on a mission to become a better cook. 
