The Best Cookbooks to Gift for Every Type of Home Cook

Cookbooks are one of my favorite gifts to give family and friends each year because they pull double-duty in the gift-ability department: They're useful and often gorgeous, owing to a modern tendency to be filled with high-quality photos or illustrations that often make them perfect for using in the kitchen or displaying as a table book.

Reading a cookbook has the ability to conjure up visions of delicious meals to be had, cocktails to be drank, and the people you're going to share them with. Plus, unlike a traditional book, skipping around pages on a choose-your-own-adventure and splattering the pages with droplets of marinara are all perfectly acceptable ways to treat your reading experience.

Both new and old, these are my picks for The Best Cookbooks to Gift for Every Type of Home Cook, organized by 'type of cook' and 'who' in the friend group each person is.

Jump to:

• Convenience Eaters & New Cooks
• Kitchen Nerds & Technical Junkies
• Travelers & Wanderlusters
• Bakers & Dessert Makers
• Seasoned Cooks
• Weeknight Cooks

---

Convenience Eaters & New Cooks

---

For the friend who thinks cooking is intimidating but wants to learn

Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook by Sohla El-Waylly

From the publisher: A practical, information-packed, and transformative guide to becoming a better cook and conquering the kitchen, Start Here is a must-have master class in leveling up your cooking. Across a dozen technique-themed chapters—from “Temperature Management 101” and “Break it Down & Get Saucy” to “Go to Brown Town,” “All About Butter,” and “Getting to Know Dough”—Sohla El-Waylly explains the hows and whys of cooking, introducing the fundamental skills that you need to become a more intuitive, inventive cook.

A one-stop resource, regardless of what you’re hungry for, Start Here gives equal weight to savory and sweet dishes, with more than two hundred mouthwatering recipes. Packed with practical advice and scientific background, and an almost endless assortment of recipe variations, along with tips, guidance, and how-tos, Start Here is culinary school—without the student loans.

---

For the friend who orders takeout at least twice a week

What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers

From the publisher: Perfect for beginners and those seeking easy cookbooks for simple meals, What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking is the ultimate "I don't want to cook" cookbook. With its focus on efficient, flavorful recipes and minimal ingredients, this easy dinner cookbook appeals to time-constrained parents, working professionals, and anyone who craves delicious homemade meals without the fuss. Readers seeking uncomplicated cookbooks for beginners will appreciate Caroline Chambers' approachable style, clever shortcuts, and flexible recipe options, making this book a go-to resource for satisfying meals on even the most exhausting days.

---

For the friend who takes their deli order very seriously

Stacked: The Art of the Perfect Sandwich by Owen Han

From the publisher: Everyone loves a good sandwich, but when was the last time you had a GREAT one? Isn’t it about time your turkey club got an upgrade?

Enter Owen Han, whose epic creations between bread have earned him millions of followers on social media. He’s renowned for dreaming up modern twists to classic recipes (as with his Chipotle Chicken Philly) and working with global flavors inspired by his Italian and Chinese heritages. And in Owen’s book, anything that can be stacked and held in your hand counts as a sandwich—from a taco to a bao to a wrap.

From Breakfast to Dessert Sandwiches, this collection showcases every type of sandwich under the sun (and then some). With easy-to-follow instructions and mouthwatering photos, Stacked is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their sandwich game. Get ready to experience sandwiches like never before with these one-of-a-kind, delicious recipes.

---

For the friend who thinks the stove is purely decorative

No-Cook Cookbook: Fresh and Healthy Meals to Assemble, Eat, and Enjoy by Susie Theodorou

From the publisher: Approachable and designed for cooks of all skill levels, No-Cook Cookbook arms you with the recipes and techniques to make delicious meals at a moment’s notice, turn pantry staples and prepared foods into dinners fit for company, and stock your kitchen like a pro. Learn to carve a rotisserie chicken, along with 18 recipes to transform it. Make hummus from scratch using canned chickpeas, or buy it at the store and dress it up with herbs, pickles, and finishing oils. Entire sections on to how to eat spoonfuls of cheese (ricotta with buckwheat honey), or charcuterie on a stick(prosciutto with peach and arugula) will help cure those peckish moments standing in front of the fridge with new one-bite wonders. Choose your own modern toast adventure with notes on the perfect toast equation, and some exceptional example combinations. And since no meal is complete without dessert, there’s also a final chapter on speedy “little somethings,” that span stuffed dates to loaded cookies like ginger molasses cookies with mascarpone, crushed blackberries, and honey.

---

Kitchen Nerds & Technical Junkies

---

For the friend who nerds out on technique

The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji López-Alt

From the publisher: In The Food Lab, Kenji focuses on the science behind beloved American dishes, delving into the interactions between heat, energy, and molecules that create great food. Kenji shows that often, conventional methods don’t work that well, and home cooks can achieve far better results using new―but simple―techniques. In hundreds of easy-to-make recipes with over 1,000 full-color images, you will find out how to make foolproof Hollandaise sauce in just two minutes, how to transform one simple tomato sauce into a half dozen dishes, how to make the crispiest, creamiest potato casserole ever conceived, and much more.

---

For the friend thats always experimenting with new flavor combinations

Flavorama: A Guide to Unlocking the Art and Science of Flavor by Arielle Johnson

From the publisher: Meet Arielle Johnson—she’s a flavor scientist (she loves flavor so much, she got a Ph.D. in the subject). She spends most of her time helping chefs better understand what’s going on beneath the hood of flavor and make delicious new foods. Now, with Flavorama, she shares this invaluable knowledge with home cooks everywhere. Mixing equal parts fun and braininess, Arielle dives into how chemistry, sensation, and craft unite to create flavor, distilling what flavor really is (molecules!) and how to get it to work for you (spotting patterns, breaking rules) in an easy-to-digest handbook.

You don’t need a lab or a professional kitchen—or even a background in science—to get something out of the science of flavor. With Flavorama, you’ll be able to easily finesse flavor while cooking to give any dish a little oomph, easily swap out an ingredient for one you have on hand, use a recipe or technique to improvise something new, or boldly replicate a flavor. Out of basil for pesto? Pivot and use mint, shiso, or tarragon—all are members of the same “herbal-aromatic” flavor family—for a new-but-somehow-familiar herb sauce. Or add a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of flaky salt to chocolate ice cream— a simple hack for deliciously complex flavor. Included are 99 recipes so you can hit the ground running with your new science-of-flavor knowledge.

---

Travelers & Wanderlusters

---

For the friend who dreams of French afternoons by the sea

Le Sud: Recipes from Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur by Rebekah Peppler

From the publisher: Le Sud is more than a recipe book; it is a dive into and a celebration of this abundant, enchanting region that has long captured the imaginations of many.

With dishes that are easy to make on a weeknight but impressive enough to serve at a party, Le Sud gives home cooks the tools they need to recreate the magic of a Provençal table anywhere in the world. Included are recipes that take you from start—Tapenades, Pissaladière, and Martini Provençal—to mains and sides—Market Day Roast Chicken and Potatoes, The Pasta I Crave Every Time I’m Near the Sea, and Ratatouille—through to the very end of the meal—Navettes, La Tropézienne, and Tarte au Citron.

A GORGEOUS GIFT FOR FRANCOPHILES: Shot in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Le Sud is filled with Joann Pai's evocative photography. Readers will feel as if they are traveling through and seated around tables across the south of France.

---

For the friend who considers pita both a food (and a utensil)

Zahav Home: Cooking for Friends & Family by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook

From the publisher: Award-winning chefs and bestselling authors of the James Beard Award–winning Zahav, Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook invite you to cook the way they do at home, with 125 new recipes for simple and achievable meals.

Since opening Zahav (the beloved, award-winning, and critically acclaimed restaurant in Philadelphia that serves a powerfully flavorful menu inspired by modern Israeli cuisine) fifteen years ago, co-owners chef Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook have learned at least two things: cooking at home isn’t anything like cooking at the restaurant, and, how to bring Zahav’s signature ideas to the home kitchen.

As busy fathers, Mike and Steve have also learned that thinking ahead is key. Their secret: a strategically stocked pantry. Then it’s nothing, for example, to slather amba from a jar onto a spatchcocked chicken for an almost-instant roast chicken dinner, or to cook a leg of lamb coated with harissa (also from a jar!) in one pot—on a school night! When they make soups, with all the intense flavors they use at the restaurant, they make a lot of soup, always thinking of the freezer and those busy nights when there’s no time to cook.

---

For the friend who always has fish sauce and sriracha on standby

Quick and Easy Vietnamese: Everyday Vietnamese Recipes for the Home Cook by Uyen Luu

From the publisher: Quick and Easy Vietnamese shares simple yet delicious recipes that can all be whipped up with minimum fuss. From Pork and Prawn Wontons and Battered Spring Onions, to Lemongrass Minced Pork Vermicelli and Dill Fishcakes, as well as sweet treats such as Sweetcorn Rice Pudding and Tofu Pudding with Ginger Syrup, there is a collection of recipes that are perfect for any time of the week.

This book encourages you to adapt the recipes to what you have to hand. The recipes offer flexibility as substitutions are given, and some ingredients that aren’t crucial to the outcome of dish have a range of weights.

By teaching you how to make the most of every ingredient, Quick and Easy Vietnamese will enable you to become the master of your kitchen and create delicious Vietnamese dishes in no time.

---

For the friend who measures garlic with their heart

Sofra: Lebanese Recipes to Share by Karima Hazim Chatila and Sivine Tabbouch

From the publisher: Through traditional family-style spreads, mother-daughter duo Karima Hazim and Sivine Tabbouch present a gorgeous array of dishes, perfect for sharing, in Sofra, a love letter to Lebanon.

As Lebanese diaspora living in Sydney, Australia, Karima and Sivine guide you through typical Lebanese feasts that tell the story of the rich and diverse regions of the country and evoke feelings of home. Sofra contains a mother’s recipes for achievable, traditional, homely dishes, with everything from a tall pot of freshly rolled Warak Enab or a charcoal bbq lined with Kafta and Meat Skewers, to a deluxe Fattoush and wholesome Tabbouleh. Alongside, you’ll find a daughter’s beautiful stories of cooking, sharing and identity that have been passed down to her around the kitchen table.

This is a collection of generous and nourishing recipes that have travelled across the world – from Tripoli, Beirut, and beyond, to Sydney, Australia – and through generations. Created with love, to feed the soul and preserve heritage, the recipes are woven together with stories of belonging that celebrate history, culture and the culinary traditions that bind families together.

---

For the friend who calls their spice rack their toolkit

Romy Gill's India: Recipes from Home by Romy Gill

From the publisher: In this beautiful cookbook, Romy shares over 70 of her beloved family recipes, each a testament to the flavors that define her childhood. From the iconic Butter Chicken, a beloved staple in every Indian home, to the delicious simplicity of her Masala Omelette, Romy invites you to savor the authentic tastes of India without the fuss. As well as recipes, Romy imparts her culinary wisdom and invaluable tips to help you craft curries with confidence in your own kitchen. With easy-to-follow instructions and readily available ingredients, every dish is designed with the home cook in mind, ensuring that your journey into Indian cuisine is as delightful as it is delicious.

With recipes that caters to every palate, offering a diverse range of recipes, including vegetarian, vegan, and non-vegetarian options, Romy's warm and engaging narrative will guide you through the intricacies of Indian cuisine, allowing you to create mouthwatering meals that evoke the comforting flavors of home.

---

For the friend who thinks kugel is a love language

Second Generation: Hungarian and Jewish Classics Reimagined for the Modern Table by Jeremy Salamon

From the publisher: In Second Generation, traditional Hungarian classics like Meggyleves, a Sour Cherry Soup, are updated with a twenty-first-century point of view. Agi’s Counter staples like the Tuna Melt, Caraway Caesar Salad, and the Chilled Buttermilk Borscht bring your favorite diner counter straight to your kitchen. And Jeremy’s reinventions like Nokedli Cacio e Pepe and Körözött-Stuffed Squash Blossoms reimagine Hungarian flavors for the forward-thinking cook.

Second Generation covers not just main and side dishes, but desserts, drinks, noshes, pantry staples, and remedies—the secret recipes to reach for in times of need. With tips from a professional chef curated for the home cook, these recipes are streamlined and accessible for all levels of expertise in the kitchen. This book is made for anyone, whether you hold Eastern-European flavors near or are looking to expand your weekly rotation. Second Generation is a testament to a grandmother’s wisdom, cooking from the heart, and sharing it with the next generation.

---

For the friend who believes food can change the world

The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope by José Andrés

From the publisher: New York Times Bestseller. Winner of The James Beard Award.

In their first cookbook, WCK shares recipes inspired by the many places they’ve cooked following disasters as well as inspiring narratives from the chefs and volunteers on the front lines. Photographs captured throughout the world highlight community and hope while stunning food photography showcases the mouthwatering recipes.

Each chapter reflects a value of the organization. “Urgency” focuses on food that can be eaten on the go, including the Lahmajoun Flatbread served after a devastating explosion rocked Beirut in 2020. In “Hope,” readers will find soups, stews, and comforting meals such as Ukrainian Borsch served to families living through an unthinkable invasion and Chicken Chili Verde prepared for California firefighters. Famous WCK supporters have shared recipes too, like Breakfast Tacos from Michelle Obama and a Lemon Olive Oil Cake from Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. Other contributors include Marcus Samuelsson, Ayesha Curry, Reem Assil, Brooke Williamson, Emeril Lagasse, Tyler Florence, Guy Fieri, Sanjeev Kapoor, and Eric Adjepong.

The World Central Kitchen Cookbook: Feeding Humanity, Feeding Hope is a celebration of dignity and perseverance—and about building longer tables, not higher walls. All author proceeds from The World Central Kitchen Cookbook will be used to support World Central Kitchen’s emergency response efforts.

---

Bakers & Dessert Makers

---

For the friend who’s always offering to bake your birthday cake

The Cake Bible, 35th Anniversary Edition by Rose Levy Beranbaum

From the publisher: The legendary IACP Culinary Classic The Cake Bible—found in the kitchen of every serious baker and beloved for decades—with classic recipes thoroughly updated and including about 30% new recipes and methods and the latest ingredient and equipment information

The original Cake Bible is a guiding light in the world’s baking literature, with Rose Levy Beranbaum’s deep knowledge and respect for craft to be found on every page. It’s for home and professional bakers who want to make glorious, technically perfect cakes and understand why the ingredients in cakes work the way they do.

For thirty-five years, Rose has been tweaking and reworking her methods based on reader feedback and constant conversations with other bakers and food and equipment professionals. Rose’s fans, professional and amateur alike, will love this perfect distillation of her decades of experience and the pure joy of creation.

---

For the friend who insists cookies should be a daily food group

Zoë Bakes Cookies: Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Favorite Cookies and Bars by Zoë François

From the publisher: There are countless ways to make a cookie. Whether it’s thin and crispy or soft and cakey, everyone has a different version they crave. In Zoë Bakes Cookies, Zoë François shares the classic cookie recipes every home baker wants to master and adds in some personal favorites from different eras in her life.

She takes you through recipes from her hippie days in Vermont, with Ultra-Peanut Butter Cookies and Coconut Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. You get a chance to step into Bubbe and Granny’s kitchens, where Zoë has adapted their recipes like Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies and Chocolate Caramel Matzo. You'll find old favorites from her college cookie cart days, with recipes like Zoë's Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies and Smash Cookies. She has you covered beyond cookies as well, with Blueberry Gooey Butter Bars and Cocoa Nutella Brownies—you’ll have plenty to bring to your next potluck or holiday cookie swap.

With her easy-to-follow recipes, Zoë shows you how to make delicious cookies that touch on nostalgia while also helping you alter them to fit your ideal cookie needs today.

---

For the friend who stress-bakes after work every day

100 Afternoon Sweets: With Snacking Cakes, Brownies, Blondies, and More by Sarah Kieffer

From the publisher: From Sarah Kieffer, the beloved baker behind 100 Cookies, 100 Morning Treats, and the popular Vanilla Bean Blog, here are 100 recipes for the most craveable afternoon treats.

Filled with more than 120 inspiring photographs, including how-tos for doughs, shaping, and flavor variations, 100 Afternoon Sweets is the third must-have in the trilogy of Kieffer's 100-themed baking books. These sweets are perfect for wherever the afternoon takes you: at the office deep in emails, hungry kiddos coming home after school, or simply a restful Sunday spent lazing on the couch.

---

The friend who keeps killing their sourdough starter

The Perfect Loaf: The Craft and Science of Sourdough Breads, Sweets, and More by Maurizio Leo

From the publisher: Maurizio Leo’s blog The Perfect Loaf is the go-to destination on the internet for beginner sourdough bakers. He now brings his impeccably detailed techniques, foolproof recipes, and generous teaching style to a groundbreaking debut cookbook that delves into the absolute fundamentals of sourdough—plus the tools and confidence to explore beyond.

Beginner bakers will have their hands held the entire way, with troubleshooting sections and numerous sidebars answering almost every question they may have—like how to store a sourdough starter long-term, how bakers’ percentages actually work, and a visual guide to common “bread fails” and how to remedy them. Seasoned bakers will relish deep dives into the science behind baking processes and expert information on how to build their “baker’s intuition” and level up by experimenting with hydration, ingredient ratios, freshly milled grains, and specialty flours. Whether you're new to bread baking or a pro, The Perfect Loaf will be your indispensable guide in the kitchen.

---

For the gluten-free friend who misses good bread

Cannelle et Vanille Bakes Simple: A New Way to Bake Gluten-Free by Aran Goyoaga

From the publisher: Cannelle et Vanille Bakes Simple is all about easy-to-follow, gluten-free recipes for enticing breads, cakes, pies, tarts, biscuits, cookies, and includes a special holiday baking chapter. 

Aran also shares her gluten-free all-purpose baking mix so you can whip up a batch to keep in your pantry. An added bonus is that each recipe offers dairy-free substitutions and some are naturally vegan as well. With inventive, well-tested, recipes and Aran's clear guidance (plus 145 of her stunning photos), gluten-free baking is happily unfussy, producing irresistibly good results every time.

---

Seasoned Cooks

---

For the friend who puts their Christmas tree up November 1st

---

The Christmas Chronicles: Notes, stories & 100 essential recipes for winter by Nigel Slater

From the publisher: Taking you from 1 November all the way to the end of January, The Christmas Chronicles covers everything from Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year to Epiphany. Throughout the season, Nigel offers over 100 recipes to see you through the build-up, the celebrations and the aftermath. Here are much-loved classics such as goose and turkey (and making the most of the leftovers), mincemeat and the cake; recipes to make the cold months bearable, like ribsticker bread pudding with Comté and Taleggio, salt crust potatoes with blue cheese and goat’s curd, and hot-smoked salmon, potatoes and dill; as well as bright flavours to welcome the new year, including pink grapefruit marmalade, pear and pickled radish salad and rye, linseed and treacle bread.

Packed with feasts, folktales, myths and memoir and all told in Nigel’s warm and intimate signature style, The Christmas Chronicles is the only book you’ll ever need for winter.

---

For the friend who lives by the motto 'It's a very good thing'

Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen by Martha Stewart

From the publisher: Martha Stewart celebrates her landmark 100th book with an intimate collection of 100 treasured recipes, along with stunning photos from her personal archives and the stories behind them. A must for anyone who has ever been inspired by the one and only Martha.

Join Martha in the kitchen as she shares favorite recipes and invaluable tips. Learn how to cook her mother’s humble Potato Pierogi, her decadent Gougères, a comforting Apple Brioche Bread Pudding, and the famous Paella she makes for the luckiest friends who visit her in summer. You’ll find something to satisfy everyone’s taste, whether it’s a simple meal you make for yourself, a weeknight family dinner, or a special celebration, recipes range from breakfast & brunch to soups & salads, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, dinner, and of course dessert.

Like a scrapbook of Martha’s life in cookbook form, this is the ultimate collection for devotees as well as newer fans who want to become more confident in the kitchen and do what Martha does best: Start with the basics and elevate them. From timeless classics to contemporary delights, these recipes reflect storied moments from her legendary, trailblazing career.

---

For the friend who grows their own vegetables—and uses them

The Farm Table by Julius Roberts

From the publisher: Professionally trained chef Julius Roberts left a busy and frantic London restaurant life to pursue his dream of living sustainably on a small farm in the English countryside. The Farm Table transports us to his farmstead, taking us through a calendar year with diary entries and images grounded in the natural world. We take joy in reading about new goats and sheep being born, learn to grow some vegetables, and forage for simple herbs and flowers, all while discovering Julius's outstanding recipes.

Broken into sections based on the season, The Farm Table encourages cooking with seasonality in mind through scrumptious recipes to inspire joy and confidence in the kitchen. Combining honest tales from farming life, delicious home-cooked recipes, and stunning photography of the Dorset countryside and coast, The Farm Table encourages us to embrace the pace of a slower life, take inspiration and delight from nature, and always gather around the table to enjoy the journey.

---

For the friend who loves retro classics

Betty Crocker Found Recipes: Beloved Vintage Recipes Worth Sharing

From the publisher: From Betty Crocker, the brand beloved by generations of Americans, a carefully curated treasure trove of more than 100 favorite vintage recipes found in the Betty Crocker archives, dusted off and so delicious you’ll love them on today’s table.

Over the last century, Betty Crocker has created thousands of well-tested, wonderful recipes, some especially that spark fond memories today, whether they were made by a grandparent, served at holiday meals, or were part of a trend of the time. In Betty Crocker Found Recipes, you’ll find these rediscovered vintage but timeless favorites. Some of these rare recipes were most frequently requested by lifelong Betty Crocker fans, which you'll see in the Found Lost Recipe features throughout the book. Others are ones that rose to the top of the Betty Crocker Test Kitchens recipe boxes over the years. And, during the search for favorite recipes to be included in this book, Betty Crocker fans shared stories of favorite recipes they’ve lost and couldn’t find—so the Betty Crocker Kitchens recreated them for the Recreated Lost Recipes features, along with the fans’ heartwarming memories behind them.

---

For the friend whose love language is feeding others

Pass the Plate: 100 Delicious, Highly Shareable, Everyday Recipes By Carolina Gelen

From the publisher: Far from a fussy chef or unrealistic food influencer, Carolina learned to cook at home with a family who loved food but could rarely go out to eat. Taking that passion to the next level, she worked in restaurants and translated her skills into a successful full-time recipe developer who cultivated an online community of millions who love her recipes.

Her debut cookbook, Pass the Plate, features 100 recipes for creative but familiar takes on beloved comfort foods—almost all are brand-new, but there are also some beloved fan favorites. Dishes such as Chicken Schnitzel with Caramelized Lemon Gremolata and Many Mushrooms Lasagna to Broccoli Cheddar Beans with Crispy Cheddar Panko and Upside-Down Pineapple Coconut Cake will satisfy cravings and inspire confidence in the kitchen, regardless of your skill level. With personality-packed chapters such as Egg-Stravaganza, Nosh & Nibble, Salad Days, and Veg Out, everyone will find something to enjoy.

Full of gorgeous photography and heartwarming stories about Carolina’s Romanian family, Pass the Plate will bring comfort to your kitchen and have friends and family asking for seconds.

---

Weeknight Cooks

---

For the friend who believes cooking is the best date night

A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together by Sonja and Alex Overhiser

From the publisher: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a homespun candlelit date night, somebody has to get dinner on the table. And what if that task was something you could do in tandem with someone you feel close to, making the work more pleasurable and spending quality time together? Enter A Couple Cooks, your guide to making this dream a reality.

With over 100 recipes for all occasions, from everyday dinners and large gatherings to intimate dinners for two, this book is designed to make meal planning and prep a stress-free and enjoyable experience. With designated roles for each partner, each recipe is crafted to be made lovingly by two.

Brimming with vibrant photography, A Couple Cooks includes tips and tricks for hosting, upping the romance in the home, table setting and styling, and enhancing your home bar cart. Much more than your average weeknight cookbook, this is an inspiring and hardworking guide on how to make the most of the quotidian moments that make up our days by relishing time spent together, working as a team.

---

For the friend who turns "just soup and salad" into a five-star meal

Matty Matheson: Soups, Salads, Sandwiches: A Cookbook by Matty Matheson

From the publisher: Chances are you’ve eaten a soup, salad, or sandwich in the past day (or maybe all three). This trio makes up so many of our meals but is rarely given the attention it deserves–until now. Matty Matheson, known for his bold, innovative flavors, has created a cookbook that will revolutionize how you think of these kitchen basics. This book is for anyone and everyone, offering up Matty’s signature twists on the classics, delivered with minimal effort for maximum flavor.

Packed with character, personal stories, 126 scrumptious recipes, and vivid photographs of a day-in-the-life with Matty and his family, Soups, Salads, Sandwiches will have you fearlessly whipping up your own combinations in the kitchen.

---

For the friend who just got their first Instant Pot and has no idea what to make with it

Everyday Pressure Cooking: Over 100 Family Favourites Made Fast and Easy in Stovetop and Electric Pressure Cookers by Catherine Phipps

From the publisher: Many home cooks have discovered the joys of the the pressure cooker as they seek to find not just more economical ways to cook, but to save on energy and water consumption. Everyday Pressure Cooking explains the basics of using this fabulous bit of kit in a clear, accessible way, and offers family-friendly meals for every day of the week.

Catherine Phipps' recipes are delicious and work every single time, giving you fast, nutritious dishes when you have only minutes, rather than hours, to spare. With over 100 recipes for fish, vegetables, meat, pulses, grains as well as puddings, this is the go-to cookbook for all pressure cooker owners.

---

For the friend who’s always saying, “Beans are having a moment"

The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans, from the Rancho Gordo Kitchen by Steve Sando

From the publisher: Learn how easy it is to cook beans from scratch with the king of beans. Rancho Gordo beans, the legumes with a cult following and Bean Club waiting list more than 20,000 names long, brought attention to heirloom bean varieties through chefs like Thomas Keller and Marcella Hazan.

Founder and owner Steve Sando, with twenty-five years’ experience in growing, sourcing, and cooking with beans, is the perfect home cook to present classic recipes as well as new combinations for all kinds of eaters. With more than 100 recipes, there are vegan and vegetarian dishes like Fennel, Potato, and White Bean Soup with Saffron and Pizza Beans as well as full-on meat-lovers’ meals like Napa Valley Cassoulet, Southwestern Chile con Carne, and Clay-Baked Pacific Cod Gratin with Onions and White Beans.

The Bean Book includes instructions for cooking beans using multiple methods, then transforming those cooked beans into satisfying dips, soups, salads, mains, sides, and desserts. There is nobody better than the man behind Rancho Gordo to share recipes, tips, and historical background in a beautifully photographed, comprehensive collection, sure to be a classic.