The best cook and wine books?

[All over the world]

I am tired of ugly cookbooks that look like they were written for a teenager. I don't mind pictures but nowadays everything is just so... Vulgar! Many books are presented in a magazine format with caricatural drawings, purple text and all that strange stuff... I'm a grown man and I don't want that 12 year old stuff in my books. That doesn't mean that it should be black and white either, I just want 'nice' old fashioned books so to speak.

I have always been one for hardback books. If I wouldn't be proud to have it stand next to my grandmother's old books I simply don't buy it.

I recently purchased two books, 'The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking' and 'The Craft of the Cocktail' which came highly recommended. I am teaching myself how to cook since I am moving into my own place now and as I don't wish to limit myself to Italian food I was wondering what else is out there. I'd love your recommendations!

I am also very interested in learning more about wines, perhaps a good book on that subject would also be a good read. I don't know my Chateau Margaux' from my Rose de Vitrac's.

Thanks once again!

[NJS]

Mrs Beeton's books still take some beating; anything by Elizabeth David on grub, and Hugh Johnson on wine. I just wish that someone would write one called: "Delia Smiff and Jymie Olivah: Go 'ang".
NJS

[All over the world]

Mrs Beeton's books still take some beating; anything by Elizabeth David on grub, and Hugh Johnson on wine. I just wish that someone would write one called: "Delia Smiff and Jymie Olivah: Go 'ang".
NJS

Any in particular for the wine books?

[davidhuh]

Phaidon has very nice cook books, I have several: http://www.phaidon.co.uk/agenda/food/

One exception though, El Bulli molecular cooking is a "no go" for me

On wine, I agree with NJS. Johnson is the bible and the koran

cheers, david

[All over the world]

Any in particular?

I'll only be buying one book per topic. I'm not too wealthy.

[AndyM]

Another vote for Hugh Johnson. I can't remember the title but I bought one of his books about forty years ago, he is very knowledgeable and writes extremely well. I found I enjoyed wine more after learning about the subject (I also drank more wine!).

[davidhuh]

Any in particular?

I'll only be buying one book per topic. I'm not too wealthy.

If you buy one, pre-order the Silver Spoon: http://www.phaidon.co.uk/the-silver-spo ... 714862453/

This is an amazing book, and a classic. If you like Italian food, this book is all you need

Other good ones I can recommend:
- the India Cookbook, http://www.phaidon.co.uk/store/food-coo ... 714859026/
- the Spanish one, http://www.phaidon.co.uk/store/food-coo ... 714847832/

[All over the world]

Well I already have an Italian cookbook but I sure will look up the Spanish and Indian one.

What about Shepherds Pie, Hashbrown and stuff? An american cookbook? Or is that stuff British?

[Costi]

I am tired of ugly cookbooks
If I wouldn't be proud to have it stand next to my grandmother's old books I simply don't buy it.

You may be missing out on a few good things on account of your love of beauty. Italians have a desert called "brutto ma buono" - good but ugly...

That goes for a good many tasty things.
And then there's the aesthetics of the ugly - the broken up crust of good bread not only is the tastiest part of a loaf, but actually makes it apetizing.

[All over the world]

Oh I don't mind the food being ugly. However I do not like buying ugly books.

[Costi]

OK, so you like it spelled out in uppercase :
UGLY BOOKS MAY HIDE DELICIOUS RECIPES
(or great wisdom...)
There it is!

Elegant doesn't have to be pretty.

[All over the world]

OK, so you like it spelled out in uppercase :
UGLY BOOKS MAY HIDE DELICIOUS RECIPES
(or great wisdom...)
There it is!

Elegant doesn't have to be pretty.

Appearances Costi! My plans for the future don't include a super modern home with glass and aluminium everywhere, multicoloured books and magazines with a huge television on the wall. That's why I buy hardcover books whenever I can. I want everything I own to be as elegant as possible. I know that the cover isn't like the recipes. I just wish to combine a nice cover with a good book.

[Costi]

That's why I buy hardcover books whenever I can.

Unless you are a bibliophile (in which case you should look much beyond "hardbacks"), the elegance of a book is in its content. And only after it has been read.
Pretty books with uncut pages make terribly sad shelf decoration...

[All over the world]

I just like plain hardcover books.

[Costi]

... and paintings with golden frames? Or do you prefer the ones in shades of blue, to go with the curtains?