The Best Cookbooks of 2017

A fabulous addition to the regional cookbook section of your shelf (doesn't everyone have one of those??!), this beautifully written and photographed book gives you the opportunity to zero in on a lesser-known area: Veneto -- not the city of Venice, but the countryside village in Northeastern Italy where the author Valeria Necchio grew up.

$24, amazon.com

A new kitchen essential, as far as our food editors are concerned! A former chef at the legendary Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Tanis knows his way around a vegetable and manages to make something magical yet unfussy out of all kinds of market produce.

$23, amazon.com

Part biography, part cookbook, "Unforgettable" explores the life, travels, and recipes of Paula Wolfert, the culinary trailblazer we have to thank for introducing Moroccan cuisine to America. The incredible journey recounted within these pages shows that she should've been a household name a long time ago.

$23, amazon.com

Our test kitchen's go-to chile pepper resource! This definitive guide by James Beard award-winning author and chef Maricel E. Presilla covers everything you need to know about nearly 200 varieties, including physical descriptions, tasting notes, uses in the kitchen, and of course, recipes.

$24, amazon.com

Dive into the Caucasus -- Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, Russia, and Turkey -- with author Olia Hercules. You'll come away with so much knowledge about the region's unique cuisine and a hankering to recreate the flavors at home. Luckily, the recipes are just as wonderful as the writing.

$19, amazon.com

You'll learn a lot more than how to prepare asparagus in this lovely guide to getting dinner on the table by Seattle bookshop owner and chef Peter Miller. His simple recipes are proof that eating well doesn't have to be difficult -- it just requires a little care and attention. We also love that he includes menus -- putting one together is a very underrated skill if you ask us. 

$11, amazon.com

Authors Itab Azzaro and Dina Mousawi spent months meeting with Syrian women in the Middle East and Europe for this book, cooking together and listening to their stories. The result? A cookbook that's more than a collection of favorite recipes; it's a love letter to Syrian cuisine and a worthy contribution to the preservation of the country's foodways.

$19, amazon.com

The next best thing to taking a class at the idyllic Farm Cooking School in Titusville, New Jersey? Cooking through this book by its teachers Ian Knauer and Shelley Wiseman, who both honed their skills at Gourmet magazine. It's organized just like their curriculum, starting with the foundations of cooking, then delving into recipes by season and cuisine.

$23, amazon.com

In this first-rate introduction to Burmese cooking from San Francisco institution Burma Superstar, come for the tempting recipes (like their famous tea leaf salad!), and stay for the compelling essays about Myanmar and its singular cuisine.

$22, amazon.com

The famed Midwestern bakery gave us another reason to celebrate their 25th anniversary this year -- their first book! Previously, the only way you could enjoy Zingerman's baked goods was to make a pilgrimage to Ann Arbor or splurge on a mail order. Now you can try your hand at all their signature treats at home, starting with the legendary coffee cake on the cover.

$17, amazon.com

We can't think of a better wintertime activity than working your way through the traditional Italian meat dishes in The Silver Spoon Kitchen's latest book, from hearty chicken cacciatore to rich osso bucco. Their practical tips will help you make the most out of whatever cut of meat you bring home.

$39, amazon.com

While the contributions immigrants have made to this country are innumerable, this new cookbook focuses on just one: food. 70 first- and second-generation immigrant chefs from six continents share a beloved recipe, followed by its significance and their thoughts on being an immigrant in America. The best part? A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project. 

$24, amazon.com

One of the most talked about books of the year, with good reason! The title refers to chef/writer Samin Nosrat's philosophy in the kitchen -- get those four elements right, and your food will be delicious every time. Her easygoing, encouraging approach will make you a more confident cook in no time. The vibrant illustrations by Wendy MacNaughton are just icing on the cake.

$20, amazon.com

Recommended by both Martha and our Kitchen Conundrums expert Thomas Joseph, this ambitious five-volume collection is certainly an investment, but a worthwhile one. A meticulously researched meditation on bread and the the science, history, and culture behind it, it's a fascinating read for bakers of all levels.

$523, amazon.com

While it would of course make an excellent wedding gift, Martha's latest book isn't just for newlyweds, or even couples for that matter. Her weeknight recipes with a twist, inspired entertaining tips, and advice on setting up a kitchen would come in handy at any life stage.

$23, amazon.com