The Best Cookbooks You Can't Miss

Either you're a home cook or a professional cook, a good cookbook is one that you can't live without. These cookbooks are my all time favorites and I would carry them everywhere I go (even flew across the globe).

I've bought so many cookbooks. There are books that I keep very close to my heart and always use them as references for my cooking career. Today, I put together the list of cookbooks you can't miss based on my personal experiences with each book.

These are also great holiday ideas for your food blogger friends, family members or co-worker who loves to cook.

1. Uchi The Cookbook

This is one of the best Japanese cookbooks. It was written by the famous Chef Tyson Cole, who owns and is executive Chef of the well-known Japanese restaurant that has the same name with the book: Uchi.

I must say my cooking style is influenced by Uchi the most. I kept coming back to the book to look for information and references. Like this crunchy candied walnut recipe is adapted from the candied pine nut from his book.

Chef Tyson Cole had done a very good job to deliberate Japanese fusion recipes in the book. You can find most of Uchi's menu items in the book like the famous uchiviche or bacon sen.

2. Nobu The Cookbook

Another great Japanese cookbook by one of the best Japanese Chefs and arguably the world's greatest sushi Chefs. Chef Nobu is the master of fusion cooking. In the book he reveals the art of using a very simple techniques to bring out the most flavorful dish.

My most favorite recipes from his cookbook are his signature dishes New Style Sashimi and Ceviche. My salmon sashimi and modern Thai style seafood ceviche recipes are adapted from these two wonderful fusion dishes.

3. Bread Illustrated

Another good book in "Cookbooks you can't miss" list. This is a great holiday gift for your baker friends. This Bread Illustrated is written by America's Test Kitchen.

The book provides a very comprehensive and in depth bread baking techniques with more than 1,000 step-by-step photos.

Using the knowledge provided in the book has helped me to master this wonderful soft and fluffy honey dinner rolls recipe.

4. On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals

Technically, this is a text book and not a cookbook. However, due to its comprehensive knowledge provided in the book, I must list it here.

I can't thank the book enough for teaching me about almost everything in the culinary world. This is not only for students, if you're a professional cook or a home cook, it's still definitely a great source for information.

5. Momofuku: A Cookbook

The book is written by Chef David Chang who owns the award- winning restaurant based in New York: Momofuku.

Chef David Chang famous pork buns and ramens are things that you can't miss. If you don't have a change to dine at his famous restaurant, then this book will allow you to try to emulate them at home.

6. Franklin Barbeque: A Meat Smoking Manifesto

This is the best barbeque cookbook written by Aaron Franklin, owner of the famous Franklin Barbeque.

The book provides years' worth of barbeque knowledge into 224 pages. If you're a barbeque lover and want to learn smoking your favorite meat from a to z, this book is definitely for you.

7. Asian Tofu: Discover the best, make your own, and cook it at home

The best cookbook for your vegetarian and vegan friends written by Andrea Nguyen. A whole cookbook devoted to tofu and the making of it, why not right?

You'll learn detailed and in-depth knowledge of tofu making from silken tofu to firm tofu. It also goes beyond tofu with many Chinese, Vietnamese and even Japanese recipes that used tofu as main ingredients.

I've learnt lots of useful tips and skills to master this homemade soy-milk and also this Douhua Soybean Pudding.

8. The Bitchy Waiter

Another not-cookbook makes the list. Though this is not a cookbook, but it is written by the most hilarious guy in food service Darron Cardosa.

You'll have such amazing time reading through this book and won't stop laughing out loud. That's definitely something all of us need in these tough times, right?

Personally, I think everybody should read this book regardless they work in the food service industry or not. You will find so many hilarious moments as well as incidents that will make you unable to put the book down.