18 Cookbooks That Will Give Your Tastebuds Wanderlust
You can find almost anything on the Internet, but it’s so helpful to have a collection of excellent recipes all bound up in a single book. Sometimes it’s just nice to read recipes the old-fashioned way, you know? Bursting with colorful photos and unique flavors, the 19 international cookbooks listed below will lead you through uncharted territories — and you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home. Our mouths are watering just looking at the covers!
1. Pok Pok: Food and Stories from the Streets, Homes and Roadside Restaurants of Thailand ($23): We’ve all had Pad Thai and red curry, but there is so much more to Thai food than those common dishes. This book explores every single aspect of the cuisine, from street food to home-cooked meals.
2. Vefa’s Kitchen ($34): If the simplistic cover of this Greek cookbook hasn’t already won you over, then its contents surely will. Vefa Alexiadou is considered to be one of the most authoritative voices on Greek cuisine, and we can’t wait to learn as much as we can from her.
3. The Essential Cuisines of Mexico ($18): As much as we love our burrito bowls, there’s simply no way Chipotle comes anywhere close to authentic Mexican food. This book will help you perfect your mole sauce, among other tasty dishes.
4. Traditional South African Cooking ($16): There doesn’t seem to be much representation of South African food here in the States, which makes this one even more valuable. While the dishes claim to be “traditional,” you can be sure that the recipes incorporate contemporary cooking techniques.
5. At Home With Madhur Jaffrey… ($27): Madhur Jaffrey is considered a world authority on Indian food, and she’s expanded her horizons to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as well. Here’s your chance to learn about four different cuisines with one easy purchase!
6. Extra Virgin: Recipes & Love from Our Tuscan Kitchen ($17): There’s certainly no shortage of Italian cookbooks here, but the authors of this one caught our eye. American actress Debi Mazar and her Italian husband Gabriele Corcos have their own show on the Cooking Channel, so they may be familiar faces to you too.
7. 1,000 Spanish Recipes ($26): Just in case you can’t get enough of tapas, paella and the like, here are 1,000 recipes for you to try out. Better get started soon!
8. Every Grain of Rice: Simple Chinese Home Cooking ($24): When it comes to international cooking, “simple” is always a relief. But that doesn’t mean that Fuchsia Dunlop’s recipes skimp on authenticity — just take a look at that beautiful cover dish.
9. Olives, Lemons & Za’atar: The Best Middle Eastern Home Cooking ($19): New York City is known for its wonderful food, so we’re psyched that Rawia Bishara, the chef and owner of the Tanoreen Restaurant in Brooklyn, decided to write a cookbook. This is the perfect introduction to new ingredients, such as za’atar, a uniquely tangy spice.
10. Teff Love: Adventures in Vegan Ethiopian Cooking ($15): Speaking of new ingredients, teff is a type of grain that is common in Ethiopian cooking. We were especially intrigued by the introduction of this grain, in addition to the fact that this entire cookbook is vegan.
11.New German Cooking: Recipes for Classics Revisited($29): It’s not all that common to own a German cookbook, so you should certainly be the first of your friends to do so. Sauerkraut and meatballs, here we come!
12. Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking: Authentic Dishes for the Home Cook ($21): Maangchi went from being an Internet cooking sensation to writing her own cookbooks, and we’re so excited about it. Seriously, just look at that dish she’s holding.
13. Ceviche: Peruvian Kitchen ($20): Martin Morales has got you covered, all the way from drinks to dessert. But food aside, can we please discuss this cover? It’s stunningly simple.
14. Japanese Soul Cooking: Ramen, Tonkatsu, Tempura and More… ($15): They say that street food is often the most authentic, and we couldn’t agree more. Similar to the Thai cookbook, this one takes you from the streets to Japanese kitchens, with valuable lessons along the way.
15. Home Baked: Nordic Recipes and Techniques for Organic Bread and Pastry ($31): Pastries? You don’t need to ask us twice.
16. Seven Fires: Grilling the Argentine Way ($26): This Argentinian guide comes at the perfect time, since we’re now entering grilling season. Summer BBQs will never be the same.
17. Tagines & Couscous: Delicious Recipes for Moroccan One-Pot Cooking ($19): One-pot cooking is a dream come true for busy cooks, especially since it requires less dishwashing as well. You’ll definitely be surprised by all the different kinds of tagines that exist.
18. Mastering the Art of French Cooking($24): We just had to end with a classic full of elegant French dishes. As Julia would say, bon appétit!
Which world cuisine will you be testing out next? Let us know in the comments below!
