14 Cookbooks Every Newlywed Needs

November 02, 2015
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Put your wedding gifts to good use by whipping up some delicious recipes from these cookbooks perfect for just-married couples.

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Read These Books on Love

You're married! Now what are you supposed to do with all of those plates, kitchen gadgets, pots, and pans you registered for? Put them to good use by whipping up delicious dishes from this collection of cookbooks that are perfect for newlyweds, curated by book blogger Kerry McHugh of Entomology of a Bookworm.

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"The Joy of Cooking" by Irma Rombauer

Originally self-published by a widow (and notably poor cook) in 1931, The Joy of Cooking

has since become a staple in the American kitchen. Updated in 2006 for the 75th anniversary edition, Joy includes everything from narratives on mushroom picking to quick and easy bread recipes. If you're ever unsure where to start with a certain dish, start here. 

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"How to Cook Everything" by Mark Bittman

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Another kitchen staple, another updated edition. The 10th Anniversary Edition of Bittman's classic collection features simple, easy-to-understand recipes for over 2,000 dishes. Yes, 2,000. That's a lot of how-to packed into one book. If this sounds too basic for you, consider Bittman's newer book, Kitchen Matrix

, which is dedicated entirely to flavor profiles created by combining basic ingredients and techniques.

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"The Food Lab" by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

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Known for his work with Cook's Illustrated Magazine and Seriouseats.com, Lopez-Alt's cookbook packs over 1,000 pages with simple but detailed narratives about what makes a recipe work. Those explanations plus step-by-step instructions will make any home cook into the master of their kitchen. 

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"Appetizers" by Martha Stewart

Sometimes a party just isn't right for a sit-down meal. Martha Stewart to the rescue, with a collection of appetizers (and cocktail recipes!) perfect for any gathering, from a shower to book-club party, you may find yourself hosting.

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"Two in the Kitchen: A Cookbook for Newlyweds" by Jordan Mackay and Christie Dufault

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Get More Date-Night Ideas

Cooking doesn't have to be a solo activity. Instead, make it a date night with Two in the Kitchen

, in which six real couples share recipes, knowledge, and stories from their adventures cooking together. 

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"Comfort and Joy: Cooking for Two" by Christina Lane

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While a full pot roast or massive pot of soup can be perfect for large parties, not everything is best made in large batches. That's where blogger and food writer Christina Lake comes in, with a collection of recipes scaled down to feed just two. Whether it be a quiet breakfast or a romantic dinner, dining together means time together.

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"Crossroads: Extraordinary Recipes from the Restaurant that is Reinventing Vegan Cuisine" by Tal Ronnen, with Scot Jones and Serafina Magnussen

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If you've ever thought vegan dishes meant sacrificing complex flavor or varying textures, think again. Ronnen's restaurant, Crossroads, is proof positive that vegan cuisine can also be haute cuisine—and his new cookbook of the same name brings simple, accessible recipes for gourmet vegan dishes to home cooks.

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"A Real Southern Cook: In Her Savannah Kitchen" by Dora Charles

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The best cookbooks combine recipes with storytelling, and Charles' new book is no exception. Charles, known as one of the best chefs in Savannah, explores the food of her upbringing and her home—in short, the food of her life, with classic Southern meals from dinner (Fried Chicken) to dessert (Red Velvet Cake). Yum!

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"Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child

Though Child herself was not French, she was indeed a master in the art of French cooking—by her own design. Based on years of learning (in France and beyond), this two-volume cookbook set is the absolute guide to all French dishes. 

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"The Silver Spoon" by Phaidon Press

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First published in 1950 and revised over the following years, this could be considered the ultimate bible for all things Italian in the kitchen. Like Child's work (and several others on this list), the new edition (2011) weighs in at over 1,500 pages and boasts over 2,000 recipes. That's a lot of Italian food to start exploring—and enjoying.

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"At Home with Madhur Jaffrey: Simple, Delectable Dishes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka" by Madhur Jaffrey

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Jaffrey's quintessential book on Indian cuisine has been lauded for "demystifying" the classic techniques and spices of Indian cooking. Easy-to-follow recipes start with appetizers and end with desserts (with a host of vegetarian options throughout).

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"Jerusalem: A Cookbook" by Yotam Ottolenghi

Ottolenghi's second cookbook (following the New York Times-bestselling Plenty in 2011) explores the flavors of Jerusalem—dishes that draw on ancient traditions and flavors. This unique book will prove a beautiful addition to any cookbook collection—and yield dishes that are sure to be as delightful as they are surprising.

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"Baking: From My Home to Yours" by Dorie Greenspan

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Many shy away from baking endeavors as too complicated or easy to mess up, but with Greenspan's Baking

book on hand, you can bake anything you set your mind to. Over 300 recipes combine with how-tos, techniques, and an extensive Dessertmaker's Glossary to provide guidance on everything from fresh fruit tarts to elaborate cakes to comfort-food cookies.

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"Sweet Envy: Deceptively Easy Desserts, Designed to Steal the Show" by Seton Hurson Rossini

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The bold flavors and designs in the pages of Sweet Envy

will ensure that the dessert course will be the talk of any meal, be it just between you and your new spouse or while you host your first holiday party as a married couple.

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