Okay, we can't travel, but it's still possible to experience the Mediterranean shores or the streets of Mumbai through your food. Being creative in the kitchen can be a productive way to channel energy and an escape to circumstances beyond our control, such as today. These 12 cookbooks are more than just recipe collections - they are travel diaries, discovery stories, and reminders that we are all connected through our love of good food.
'Jerusalem: A Cookbook' ($ 18.99; amazon.com)
Co-authors Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi were born in Jerusalem in the same year, albeit on opposite sides of the city's cultural divide. "Jerusalem" is based on local Israeli and Arab flavors, among a wide variety of other influences from Iran to Italy. The result is a mix of traditional dishes and creative riffs that use basic Mediterranean ingredients like vegetables, grains, and savory meats, with accents like garlic, lemon, capers, and feta cheese.
'Every Grain of Rice: Simple Chinese Home Cooking' ($ 23.99; amazon.com)
Fuchsia Dunlop has established itself as an authority on Chinese regional cuisine, even in separate volumes on Sichuan and Hunan. But this collection of simple recipes is ideal for everyday use. Here Dunlop focuses on South China cuisine, in which vegetables often take up more space on the plate. Easily prepared with few special ingredients, dishes like thick rice with pork and vegetables can quickly be turned into meals.
'The Silver Spoon' ($ 39.99; amazon.com)
A bible for Italian cuisine since its first publication in 1950, "The Silver Spoon" has been an indispensable resource for world-famous chefs and home cooks. With more than 2,000 recipes, it is as close as possible to a comprehensive survey of the peninsula. From traditional sauces, marinades, and butter flavored to antipasti, pasta, and desserts, the only question will be where to set the limit for a dinner.
'Ceviche Peruvian Kitchen' ($ 31.06; amazon.com)
Peruvian-British chef Martin Morales traveled throughout Peru to obtain the best recipes in the country for this book, named after his London restaurant. While it starts with 10 shots of the main course, seafood prepared with lime juice, "Ceviche" offers a broader introduction to what the author calls Peruvian soul food, from street foods to vegetable dishes and rich, sugary desserts.
'Fire & Smoke: A Pitmaster's Secrets' ($ 23.16; barnesandnoble.com)
You don't need an outdoor grill to achieve rich, smoky barbecue flavors at home. Famous pitmaster Chris Lilly offers daily recipes to create the charred exterior and tender interior of the best southern barbecue. Fruits, vegetables, and even cocktails are also infused with smoky notes in Lilly's easy-to-follow collection.
'The Food of Morocco' ($ 27.99; amazon.com)
From small plates to full-day stews made in a traditional tagine, Paula Wolfert's guide to Moroccan cuisine has a broad vision and caters to various levels of experience. The famous cookbook author spent years traveling Morocco and learning its unique flavors, from distinctive spice combinations to delicious sweets. The book is also beautifully photographed, offering a sensory window into the country's colorful culture.
'Eat Mexico: Recipes from Mexico City's Streets, Markets & Fondas' ($ 22.99; amazon.com)
Mexico City has constantly become an international culinary destination. But reservations are not required for street favorites collected here by Lesley Tellez, owner of a food tour company in the capital city. Her book picks up familiar flavors like tacos al pastor and fresh water, along with rare dishes from her favorite inns: modest family restaurants. Now based in New York City, Tellez also writes on how she adds Mexican inspiration to an everyday urban diet.
'Alpine Cuisine: Recipes and Stories from Europe's Great Mountain Tops' ($ 27.08; amazon.com)
You don't have to hike through the snow or climb mountains to experience the Alps from your dining table. Meredith Erickson's culinary ode to the Alps extends through a variety of influences, including Italy, Austria, France, and Switzerland. Comfortable might be the best way to describe the feeling inspired by dishes collected here, such as goulash, schnitzel, and fondue. Think of it as a delicious mountain retreat for the home chef.
'Pok Pok: Food and Stories from the Streets, Homes and Roadside Restaurants of Thailand' ($ 15.49; amazon.com)
Chef Andy Ricker's Pok Pok restaurants managed to become places of worship for good reason. The American chef's refined version of northern Thai cuisine comes from decades of traveling in the region. This collection of recipes includes classics like papaya salad and pad thai along with the restaurant's famous fish sauce wings. More than just offering instructions, Ricker weaves recipes as a sort of personal travel journal to take readers on an indirect tour.
'Das Cookbook: German Cooking… California Style' ($ 19.99; amazon.com)
Restorer Hans Röckenwagner brings together California-inspired dishes from German dishes, including favorite recipes from his popular Los Angeles outposts. Her recipes fuse fresh ingredients from the farmers market with cozy staples from her childhood in Germany. But the baking section stands out, from Röckenwagner's popular pretzel bread to Christmas treats like linzer and stollen cake bars.
'Prashad at Home: Everyday Indian Cooking From Our Vegetarian Kitchen' ($ 39.95; amazon.com)
Vegetarian cuisine is often one of the most creative, and that is true with many regional cuisines in India. This Kaushy Patel volume refutes the idea that Indian food takes a long time to prepare. With a focus on quick and easy preparation, "Prashad at Home" includes traditional dishes like bhajis and biryanis along with Indian-inspired versions of western staples, like a spicy veggie burger.
'Mirazur' ($ 54.68; amazon.com)
Located in Menton, France, Mirazur is a Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean near the Italian border. It has been voted the best in the world, and this cookbook offers the complete experience. Chef Mauro Colagreco is inspired by fresh local ingredients and the stunning coastal scenery of the region. Both are beautifully captured here. This is a book that could live as easily on the coffee table as it does on the kitchen counter. However, get ready for a serious challenge if you want to cook from this book, it is not for amateurs.
'The Real Taste of Jamaica' ($ 36.99; amazon.com)
A reference resource in Jamaican cuisine for over 20 years, Enid Donaldson's "The Real Taste of Jamaica" collects culinary ideas from the island's restaurants, home cooks, and street vendors. Curry, spices and local peppers are just some of the characteristic flavors of the Caribbean nation captured here. The book's latest print includes special additions and an updated design.
You don't have to leave your kitchen to travel the world. Take your senses on an international adventure with these 12 famous cookbooks. Eat and stay healthy.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.