Each year we pick our favorite books about food. These are the books that stay with us long after we have closed the cover -- the books that offer new perspectives, repertoire-worthy recipes and unforgettable photography. (See book picks from 2013 and 2012.)

Here's this year's short list.  

Lynne Rossetto Kasper, Host


Baking Chez Moi

Recipe: Custardy Apple Squares
Dorie Greenspan


The Banh Mi Handbook

"It's a funny word because it means bread. It also means sandwich."
-Andrea Nguyen


River Cottage Light & Easy

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Sally Swift, Managing Producer


Smashing Plates

"When you eat with Greeks, you share; it's like everybody comes together."
-Maria Elia


Fresh and Light

"I'm the flavor thief. I think there are really great flavors that are really worth their salt that you can take from different cuisines."
-Donna Hay


The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

Recipe: Rice Pilaf with Saffron and Spice
Deborah Madison

Jennifer Russell, Producer


Sweet Paul Eat and Make

"They catch the fish ... and then they will hang it on these drying racks that are all along the coast. The sight is just incredible."
-Paul Lowe


In Her Kitchen

Gabriele Galimberti


Pies and Tarts for Dinner and Dessert

Stephane Reynaud

Jennifer Luebke, Technical Director


Loving Yourself to Great Health

Louise Hay, Ahlea Khadro and Heather Dane


Cooking Light Global Kitchen

Recipe: Chicken Larb
David Joachim


My Paris Kitchen

David Lebovitz

Laura Kaliebe, Production Assistant


The Third Plate

"It's about the system that supports a whole ecology."
-Dan Barber


Twelve Recipes

"My advice to my sons and to everyone is to cook at home at least most of the time."
-Cal Peternell


Eating Wildly

Ava Chin