Cookbooks Every Kitchen Should Have?

You may want to make room on your book shelf....

The Atlantic presents its view of the five essential cookbooks every kitchen should have......you may differ, as I do (except for #4).  But, they are thoughtful suggestions.

Every kitchen should have:

1) A good reference book. Always on the top corner by the wall on my armoire in the den is La Varenne Pratique, because when I need it, I need it. A book like this covers everything from how to carve a ham and how to fillet a fish to the proper way to scramble an egg and a few basics of pastry. It is 500 pages of answers to most culinary questions. I attended this school and this book is like a refresher course every time I pick it up.

2) A pastry book. Next to La Varenne Pratique is The American Baker by Jim Dodge. He has a way of taking the fear out of baking. I also like books you really learn from. In the beginning of this book, he covers the topics of seasonal ingredients, complementary tastes and textures, clarity of flavor, simplicity, and promises of pleasure. Any pastry chef who gets into these topics before recipes has my respect, and his recipes work.

3) A Junior League book. Mixed in with many of my favorite cookbooks are several editions of Come on In. My favorite is from the Jackson, Mississippi Junior League. Maybe this is where the southern belle in me comes out. I would think finding the best Junior League books would follow the same rule as ordering sweet tea: Never order one from a state that does not have an SEC team.These books typically have about 100 recipes for dips and party appetizers for the home cook, but like a sassy Betty Crocker, they cover everything with more flavor and spice. They are always tested, and as much as I tease my friend Doris Ann Benoist that she has never made an entrée in her life--she has entertained for years with just dips--I always enjoy her latest dip.

4) An Italian technique book. My pick is Giuliano Bugialli's Classic Techniques of Italian Cooking. This book is a culinary history book, and also includes techniques. I have always believed if you can master French cooking and Italian you have the basic knowledge to venture into all the other cuisines. Remember, I am trying to limit this list to five. (You can substitute your favorite book here.)

5) A book to nourish loved ones. The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen: Nourishing, Big Flavor Recipes for Cancer Treatment and Recovery--This is a book I have added to my shelf and it will always be within reach. I think this book could be called many things--a mother's handbook to nourishing your loved ones or cooking to cure. I know my family and friends will benefit from my new favorite book the next time I need to cook something to make them feel better.