Bugialli, Giuliano BUGIALLI ON PASTA--my start-to-finish pasta bible from a teacher of mine. Anytime I am looking to do pasta, I check her first.
Hazan, Marcella ESSENTIALS OF CLASSIC ITALIAN COOKING--anytime I am doing a traditional recipe I check this book to see if there is a classic reference. She is essential.
Hazan, Marcella THE CLASSIC ITALIAN COOKBOOK--Ditto
Lungo, Pino A TUSCAN IN THE KITCHEN--no amounts, just ingredients. Traditional recipes. Some of the game dishes are sublime.
Lungo, Pino FISH TALKING--I love the way Italians cook fish, because it is about the FISH, not about what you do to it. Little fish in particular are my favorite ans Chef Lungo handles them superbly.
D'ARTAGNAN'S Glorious Game Cookbook--This supplier of excellent game products via the Internet has created a cookbook to help you make that bison, wild boar or elk, you have been wanting to savor. For those who are not used to cooking game, this is the place to start.
Flay, Bobbie BOY MEETS GRILL--outlines for taking summer grilling to the next level. Try the flatbreads
Mansfield, Leslie THE LEWIS AND CLARK COOKBOOK--I love to cook game and I harbor a huge appreciation for what L&C and the Corp of Discovery accomplished in the early 19th century. I met Ms. Mansfield and she suggested I make the Maple Sugar Pie. Turns out it is one of those dishes it is a crime to die before trying. EAT IT. Many other excellent recipes as well. Try an all Jeffersonian dinner. I did and it was a great success.
I use cookbooks 3 ways. First, like most people, I sometimes browse them to get ideas on what to make. Second, I read them to learn technique, style and methodolgy. Ok I am a little intense. Third, and most often, I know what I want to make and I look at several cookbooks to study similar recipes, and eventually build my own. These are my favorites:
