ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR: Bon Appétit

“A must-have for anyone who wants to be a better cook. Each recipe is an insight into Kwame’s family, travels, and time spent in some of the best kitchens in the world.” —David Chang

If there is a theme to our 2022 cookbook selections, it's this: American food is truly exceptional as a fusion of history and flavors. 

If you buy one cookbook this season, let it be this one! Kwame Onwuachi's "My America" is a deeply personal tribute to "a land that belongs to you and yours and me and mine." And we're not the only ones who thinks so—it's a Bon Appetit Cookbook of the Year.

Grab the spices to make Onwuachi's House Blend: 

• heaping 1/4 cup kosher salt
  
• 3 T freshly ground black pepper
  
• 2 heaping T garlic granules
  
• 2 T onion granules
  
• 2 T Worcestershire powder
  
• 1 T cayenne
  
• 1 T paprika
  

"I want you to make and love the recipes, and REALLY use the book until it's turmeric stained all over." -Andy Baraghani

We love Baraghani because he and Gneiss Spice have these two things in common: he doesn't use paper towels and he has a mortar & pestle collection! 

Gift Idea: Pair with our Lebanese spice kit! Baraghani loves to toast whole spices and grind fresh, so grab a mortar & pestle. 

“If this were the only cookbook you owned, neither you nor those you cooked for would ever get bored.” —Nigella Lawson 

Celebrate the "godmother of Italian cooking" with this 30th anniversary of Marcella Hazan's essential Italian cookbook! This is the go-to Italian cookbooks for students, newlyweds and master chef's alike. Pair with our basic or pantry bundles for any new home cook or busy parent.   

Gift Idea: Stock up Mexican oregano, cumin seed and black peppercorn.

ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR: Bon Appétit

It's no secret we're huge NYT Cooking fans. I was hooked after making Melissa Clark's viral lemon bars. Her new cookbook focuses on making less of a mess by keeping everything in one pot, pan or skillet. 

Gift Idea: This is the perfect cookbook to pair with our basic or pantry bundles for any new home cook or busy parent.   

“This intimate look at a country’s cuisine has as much spice as it does soul.”—Publishers Weekly

Join Rick Martínez on a once-in-a-lifetime culinary journey throughout México that begins in Mexico City and continues through 32 states, in 156 cities, and across 20,000 incredibly delicious miles. Inspired by his travels, the recipes are based on his taste memories and experiences. 

Gift Idea: Stock up Mexican oregano, cumin seed and black peppercorn.

ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR: Bon Appétit

Organized by main ingredients like eggs, noodles, beans, and chicken, chapters include quick tricks for riffable cooking methods and flavor combinations so that dinner bends to your life, not the other way around (no meal-planning required!). This simple cookbook uses common everyday spices you already have on hand. Recipes will help you make great food—and fast!

Gift Idea: If shopping for a new cook, pair with basic spice kit, dishtowels or measuring spoons.

For the Kids: Easy one bowl recipes that use only melted butter or oil (no creaming or planning ahead). It's a favorite in our house!

Great a Gift Bundle: Add a 8" cake pan, whisk and jar of sprinkles to create a perfect gift.

For the Vegetarian: The favorite book of 2020 is still in heavy rotation! i'd eat the kale, tomato and paneer saag recipe every night if possible. Though this is a vegetarian book, it's not for vegetarians.

Essentials:  Stock-up on Kashmiri chile. Or create a 12-pack of essential Indian spices.

For the Collector: With contributions from more than 100 Black cultural luminaires , the book explores the Black experience, from Homeland to Migration, Spirituality to Black Future, offering delicious recipes, moving essays, and arresting artwork. 

For the Foodie: An almanac of spices! Learn new spice blends, history of spices and how to prepare each one to get the most flavor.

Pair with a mortar & pestle and a set of whole spices to encourage spice blending!

For the New Cook: Learn the basics of how and why food tastes good!

Just reading Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will make you a better cook, adept at seasoning, balancing, understanding what it really is you’re doing and why... Make room on the bedside table—and the countertop.― Bon Appetit  

For the Baker: You may think you don't need another cookie cookbook, but the contents of this book read: chocolate, boozy, nutty, fruit, tart, spiced smoky savory.

Pair with a vanilla kit and dessert salts. You'll definitely need some Cyprus salt for those chocolate chunk cookies on the cover.