InStyle Editors Share Their Favorite Cookbooks of All Time

"On a day-to-day basis, I turn to The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters ($22; amazon.com) because it tells you how to do all the basics, from making a quiche to roasting a chicken. But for desserts, there's nothing better than this book from my alma mater, The French Culinary Institute. It contains all of the delicious recipes I made while I was in pastry school. My most revisited one is the clafoutis, which is easy to make and a big hit at dinner parties—especially with my husband!"

—Anne Kim, Lifestyle Editor

The Fundamental Techniques of Classic Pastry Arts ($55; amazon.com)

"I'm a big Gwyneth Paltrow fan, so I had to get my hands on this cookbook when it first came out. To my delight, every recipe I’ve ever made from it truly is delicious, even though you look at the ingredient list and wonder, 'Where is the cheese? The butter?' My favorite is her risotto with peas and greens. It's vegan, but somehow magically maintains a creamy texture. I usually add some ground turkey to the mix for some added protein."

—Jennifer Merritt, InStyle.com Deputy Editor

It's All Good ($18; amazon.com)

"I've sworn by Barefoot Contessa Parties! ($28; amazon.com) for years, but this Food52 cookbook is quickly climbing to the top of the list. Each recipe is a lifelong favorite from one esteemed chef, from Marcella Hazan to Nigella Lawson."

—Angela Matusik, InStyle.com Executive Editor

Genius Recipes ($20; amazon.com)

"Ina always has such delicious recipes, but I particularly love this book because she explains how to prep items in advance. It's a must-have for anyone who likes to entertain but doesn't want to spend the entire evening in the kitchen."

—Sheryl George, Beauty Editor

Make It Ahead: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook ($22; amazon.com)

"I love that it's not too preachy and is written as if a friend is giving you cooking tips."

—Wendy Wallace, Market Director

Dinner: A Love Story: It All Begins at the Family Table ($21; amazon.com)

"I love the simplicity of this cookbook. The recipes are delicious and don't require a ton of crazy ingredients. Quite a few have become staples in our weekly cooking. My husband and I especially love the roast chicken and the pan-seared, then oven-finished steak."

—Meggan Crum, Accessories Director

How to Cook Everything: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food ($21; amazon.com)

"I came across this cookbook a few years ago when I interviewed Eva Longoria for a story and was impressed by how easy to execute all of the recipes are. There's a Mexican stuffed peppers dish in there that takes literally 15 minutes to prep and makes people think my kitchen skills are way more advanced than they actually are."

—Christina Shanahan, Senior Editor

Eva's Kitchen ($21; amazon.com)

"My sister-in-law, who is a chef (and the Executive Producer/Director of Trisha's Southern Kitchen on the Food Network) gave me this book a couple of years ago. It was written by a friend of hers and is filled with the most delicious and unexpected vegetarian recipes you could imagine. The photos are mouthwatering and it's easy to pull off these dishes, even if you are a novice chef like me. A friend of mine who is vegetarian liked the book so much, when she came to visit me, she 'borrowed' it indefinitely and I had to buy a new copy."

—Amy Synnott, Executive Editor

Feast: Generous Vegetarian Meals for Any Eater and Every Appetite ($24; amazon.com)

"I've been cooking from this new book by Anna Jones and loving it all. From quick breakfast ideas (that you can put in a mason jar and bring with you as you're dashing out the door) to satisfying vegetable-based dishes, everything I've tried has been filled with surprising, inspiring flavors. It's a total keeper!"

—Joanna Bober, Lifestyle Director

A Modern Way to Eat: 200+ Satisfying Vegetarian Recipes (That Will Make You Feel Amazing) ($24; amazon.com)