There are some great recommendations in this thread and I can't resist adding a few of my own. This is my first eGullet post, although I have been a reader for quite sometime. I also am posting from a vegetarian perspective and all of these books have great vegetarian-friendly recipes and techniques (or are easy to adapt). Zuni Cafe, Judy Rodgers Beautiful book, amazing recipes -straightforward, contemporary w/o being fussy. Wildwood: Cooking from the Source in the Pacific Northwest, Cory Schreiber You hear/read about California, Southern, and Southwestern cuisines all the time. This book has a wealth of recipes utilizing the amazing bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Southwestern Vegetarian, Stephan Pyles An exciting compilation of forward thinking flavor combinations and techniques rooted in the spirit of the S.West. The recipes are a bit intricate (and long), but I get inspired every time I open this book. Trattoria, Patricia Wells My favorite for simple everyday Italian. Appetite and Real Food, Nigel Slater One of my all-time favorite food writers -- unpretentious, smart, and full of flavor-packed recipes perfect for home-cooking. Thai Food, David Thompson A must if you are interested in Thai cuisine. Stunning book design. Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, Deborah Madison A definitive resource on vegetarian cooking for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
