Who doesn't love buying a late Christmas present for yourself? I had read about this new cookbook from Alice Waters, so when I saw it at Costco for $21 I had to get one. So far, I love it. Not only is it a beautiful publication, I love that it way more accessible than the two Chez Panisse cookbooks I have, so I may actually use this one more than twice. I also love that it is being sold at Costco, which tells me that maybe--just maybe--her philosophy about food is becoming somewhat mainstream. And I love that it made me feel inspired again about buying vegetables.

While I'm at it, I think that I'll post a list of the cookbooks that I would have a hard time living without. I risk sounding like I'm something special when it comes to cooking. Not so. In fact, I have a food odessey of my own that may rival Ruth Reichl's as told in Tender at the Bone. What....garlic doesn't come in a powder? It's just that I've come to love cooking with fresh and whole foods and these are some of the tools (along with fabulous neighbors that shared a love for the Berkeley food markets with me) that have helped me get there:

This is my go-to for a no-fail, good, basic recipe. I totally trust every single thing written in this book. It is from the editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine, which, by the way, if you aren't already subscribed to, you'd better ask for one for Valentine's Day because you won't regret it.

I love Ina Garten! What more do I say. I've made almost every single dish in this book and not only are they pretty darn simple, they always turn out exactly as elegant as she promises and are always amazingly delicious. And I'm not the only one! And the fact that lots of the recipes are accompanied by full page glossy photos of beautiful food ususally helps inspire me too. My brother-in-law and his girlfriend just gave me her latest book "Cooking at Home" and I'm really excited about it too.

Another go-to book full of trustworthy basics and old standards. Need to know a good whitesauce or quiche recipe? Looking for the 101 on vinaigrettes? Do you think that you don't like eggplant parmesan? Seriously, the eggplant parmesan has become a standard around here....it makes me feel like I need never order it again from an Italian restaurant because it couldn't possibly be better.

Ok, that's probably the top tier. I've got lots of 2nd tier favorites and then plenty of friends whose recipes I pilfer for my own. I'm always open for more suggestions, however. Happy Cooking.