The Illustrated Kitchen Bible

It’s hard not to get drawn into Blashford-Snell’s immersive and thoughtfully designed cookbook filled with over 3,000 photographs and 1,000 practical, tasty recipes from around the world. Whether cooks are searching out of desperation or simply looking for inspiration, Blashford-Snell has them covered. Home cooks can search by genre (breakfast, sides, cheese, cold desserts, etc.), use the index, or employ the handy summaries scattered throughout the book, which include a weekend brunch menu, party snack options, and meat-free dishes. It’s an ingenious way to make a daunting list of options fiendishly useful. Blashford-Snell has truly thought of everything. Readers will appreciate step-by-step guides for making omelets, various preparations for potatoes and fish, and tips for getting the most mileage out of leftovers. And every imaginable dish is represented: ceviche, croissants, quinoa tabbouleh, jambalaya, chicken tikka masala, and a pecan and maple tart are just a sampling of the book’s many treasures. Those expecting to open plenty of cans or use shortcuts such as premade pie crusts will be woefully disappointed—everything here is from scratch. The sheer number of options and clear instructions will ensure success no matter the cook’s skill level, and the curated recipes make this a book that cooks of all tastes and skill levels can grow with. (Aug.)