E picurious may be considered "new media" but we fully recognize the importance and cherished position of traditional print cookbooks in the home kitchen. We also know that cookbooks make thoughtful and useful gifts, no matter the occasion or holiday. So just in time for Hanukkah and Christmas, we present our picks for the 10 best cookbooks of 2011.
Narrowing down this year's list wasn't easy, given the number of good and informative cookbooks. One title not on the list but worth mentioning is Nathan Myhrvold's Modernist Cuisine. The six-volume set is exhaustive, encyclopedic, and certainly challenging, and for some, a cookbook collection essential. It costs more than a pretty penny (list price: $625) and is admittedly specialized in its scope, but for the true cookbook connoisseur, it is a must-have—for the photography as well as the techniques.
In our top 10 picks you'll find books that span the spectrum of specialties and approaches to cooking, and reflect current and upcoming trends and tastes. Lush photography, evocative storytelling, clear and concise instructions, and of course delicious food were all factors in our decision-making process. These are the books—listed in alphabetical order—that we want in our own kitchens.