Best Cookbooks to Give as Gifts

People these days get many of their recipes from the Internet, which may make you think that cookbooks are going out of vogue. But it is not so! Cookbooks are not only great to have but also make fabulous gifts for someone you love.

If you’re stumped for ideas on which books make the best gifts, let me help you! These gems are sure to make that baker or chef on your list very, very happy.

Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients
As the proud owner of two of Ina’s cookbooks, I can attest that they are wonderful. Back to Basics is her latest, which also goes along with her series, the Barefoot Contessa. The great part about this book is it has wonderful images and also short blurbs from Ina on things like style and decorating. With Ina, you get info on how to set a table as well as how to cook something fabulous. Her recipes are often simple in design yet taste as if you slaved over them for an entire day. Great for making special dishes for company.

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip . . . with Recipes! (Food Network)
If you’ve got a guy on your shopping list, Guy Fieri’s book, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives is sure to please. Guys love the fact that Fieri seeks out the greatest food from the smallest greasy spoons and diners throughout the country. Now, he’s got a recipe book to along with his popular show.

Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast: 250 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Any Time of Day (Everyday Food (Clarkson Potter))
One of the things I enjoy about Everyday Food magazine is the fabulous recipes to make for my family on a daily basis. So many people don’t cook because they aren’t sure what to make or have boring recipes. Not so with Everyday Food! Now you can get a collection of recipes from the magazine all in this one book.

Real Simple Best Recipes: Easy, Delicious Meals
I’ve already told you about my love affair with Real Simple magazine, right? I get many of my best recipes from there. They are usually easy to prepare, made with simple ingredients, and fast. I don’t know how they do it, but you can make a soup recipe from there that tastes like it simmered all day and yet in reality it took you an hour.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1
This one is still a classic. If you want to learn to cook French recipes, Julia will show you how.