Looking to mix things up in the kitchen? Each year, members of the American Library Association’s Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) name the most essential cookbooks for public libraries, and this year’s list features a diverse mix for newbie chefs and experienced cooks alike.
RUSA’s 2021 list includes recent books spotlighting cuisine from around the world. There’s something for everyone, from vegan and vegetarian recipes for plant-based eaters to decadent desserts for those with a sweet tooth.
Here are their top 12 picks:
Taste of Tucson: Sonoran-Style Recipes Inspired by the Rich Culture of Southern Arizona, by Jackie Alpers
Chaat: Recipes from the Kitchens, Markets, and Railways of India, by Maneet Chauhan and Jody Eddy
Dinner in French: My Recipes by Way of France, by Melissa Clark
The Good Book of Southern Baking: A Revival of Biscuits, Cakes, and Cornbread, by Kelly Fields with Kate Heddings
In Bibi’s Kitchen: The Recipes and Stories of Grandmothers from the Eight African Countries that Touch the Indian Ocean, by Hawa Hassan with Julia Turshen
100 Cookies: The Baking Book for Every Kitchen, with Classic Cookies, Novel Treats, Brownies, Bars, and More, by Sarah Kieffer
Fresh From Poland: New Vegetarian Cooking from the Old Country, by Michal Korkosz
The Honeysuckle Cookbook: 100 Healthy, Feel-Good Recipes to Live Deliciously, by Dzung Lewis
Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confidence, by Claire Saffitz
New Homemade Kitchen: 250 Recipes and Ideas for Reinventing the Art of Preserving, Canning, Fermenting, Dehydrating and More, by Joseph Shuldiner
Falastin, by Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigley
Vegetable Kingdom: The Abundant World of Vegan Recipes, by Bryant Terry
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