Arapahoe Library District discussion

My favorite, and most-used, cookbook is Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything. Not only are there post-its sticking out from all angles, marking off my most-used recipes, but I've also got numerous notes in the margins marking off my favorite variations.
The main appeal of this book, I think, stems from the fact that Bittman is not a trained chef - he's just a writer who loves to cook. The result is a book that is as easy to use as it is exhaustive: clear, practical directions for each recipe, useful illustrations, and an index that has never let me down. Bittman assumes no prior knowledge and doesn't skimp on detail in any recipe, from hard-boiled eggs to roast rack of lamb, making this a great book for beginners. But he also lists numerous variations for dozens of classic dishes, making the book useful for an experienced cook in a slump.
What are your favorite cookbooks, either for novelty or practical use?

I used my copy of Sacramental Magic In A Small-Town Cafe so much the spine disintegrated, and I had to buy a new copy. It's full of sweet anecdotes and tasty recipes, and I made some of the recipes so many times I stopped needing the book in front of me. I also love the recipes in Garlic and Sapphires, though mostly I read that one for the insanely delicious sounding food descriptions!

I loved reading Garlic and Sapphires! It's a great book! I think you will like it, Jen.