Kitchen Essentials: Cookbooks Everyone Should Own

Once you've established your stylish and organized kitchen, take a look at your bookshelf. I asked the most passionate home cooks in the YumSugar office and rounded up 12 essential cookbooks for every kitchen. Many of these have had a profound impact on home cooking for decades, and others are the classic cookbooks of tomorrow. Read on to check out our picks!

Julia Child's classic cookbook brought French cuisine into the homes of Americans. Not only are staple French dishes like boeuf bourguignon and cassoulet broken down and made accessible, but readers are also instructed on how to buy and prepare raw ingredients. Mastering the Art of French Cooking has been described as one of the most instructive cookbooks of all time.

The vegan trend is showing no signs of slowing down, so if you want to embrace it with open arms, Veganomicon is an essential cookbook for your collection. The book has over 250 recipes that showcase vegan ingredients at their best.

Ina Garten has won over the hearts of many with her perfectly appointed kitchen in her perfectly decorated house in the Hamptons. But what her fans really love about the Barefoot Contessa are the straightforward, classic, approachable recipes that she brings to the table. She has several fantastic books available, but this basic cookbook has something for everyone.

Deborah Madison is known as the Julia Child or Marcella Hazan of vegetarian cooking. Her book Vegetarian Cooking For Everyone is considered one of the most comprehensive cookbooks ever published on the subject. This book is an essential for any kitchen, because, let's face it, it's helpful and economical to know how to cook great food that doesn't involve meat.

What Julia Child did for French cooking, Marcella Hazan did for Italian. Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking combines her previous two publications in one large volume. Important Italian ingredients are explained in great detail, and authentic dishes like fresh pastas and risottos are made accessible for the home cook. For anybody who loves cooking with fresh ingredients and real Italian cuisine, this book is a must have.

The traditional art of canning and preserving seems to be gaining popularity. It's a useful skill to be able to preserve the flavors of each season and enjoy them throughout the year, but I will be the first to admit that it can be kind of intimidating. Ashley English's Canning &Preserving provides you with step-by-step guides and useful photos to safely make all the jam and pickles you could ever dream of.

For a book filled with step-by-step photos of fast and easy family meals, turn to The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. You'll be glad to know that each recipe has been tested and compared against other options, often resulting in unorthodox ways of making traditional dishes. It's a book you can trust, and one that you'll be coming back to again and again.

The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook made it on our list of essentials because, well, who doesn't want baked goods from Magnolia Bakery at their fingertips? The recipes are simple, traditional, and utterly delicious. The secret to their success is that they keep things uncomplicated. It will become your go-to cookbook for birthday cakes and weekend sweet treats.

Tartine Bakery is run by one of the best bread makers in the world. Chad Robertson brings his art into our homes by way of his book Tartine Bread. The book is incredibly instructive, is filled with beautiful photography, and helps to demystify the bread-making process. If you're looking to make your own bread at home, why not take advice from the best?

When I asked for opinions on essential cookbooks around the office, this was first on everyone's list. How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman features 2,000 recipes that will expand your culinary knowledge and provide your friends and family with amazing home-cooked meals of all shapes and sizes. The book is a favorite among many celebrities, who seem to be drawn to Bittman's straightforward approach to food.

Get personal with the adorable Jamie Oliver as he takes you through culinary basic training via Cook With Jamie. His personality shines through as he teaches you how to make fresh pasta and prepare fresh lobster. In keeping with Jamie's cooking style, the food and recipes are elemental and casual and filled with fresh ingredients.

Arguably one of the most important books in American cuisine, Irma Rombauer's The Joy of Cooking holds a special place in many households. This book changed the way many women approached cooking at home, as it emphasized freshness, convenience, and simple recipes, like beef Wellington and homemade ice cream. Techniques like knife skills are emphasized, and the new version includes a section on 30-minute meals. Chances are your grandmother had a copy of it on her bookshelf, so why shouldn't you?