David Lebovitz

Author of My Paris Kitchen and The Perfect Scoop

We may earn commissions for purchases made via this page

Book Recommendations:

Recommended by David Lebovitz

The Leung family have been my go-to source when I want to make everything from fried rice and scallion pancakes to spicy chili wontons and sesame-slicked Shanghai noodles. I’m thrilled to have all their best recipes in one beautiful book! (from Amazon)

JAMES BEARD AWARD NOMINEE • NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER • IACP AWARD FINALIST • PUBLISHERS WEEKLY STARRED REVIEW • “The Woks of Life did something miraculous: It reconnected me to my love of Chinese food and showed me how simple it is to make my favorite dishes myself.”—KEVIN KWAN, author of Crazy Rich Asians The family behind the acclaimed blog The Woks of Life shares 100 of their favorite home-cooked and restaurant-style Chinese recipes in ”a very special book” (J. Kenji López-Alt, author of The Food Lab and The Wok) ONE OF THE TEN BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR: San Francisco Chronicle, Simply Recipes ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times, Food & Wine, NPR, Smithsonian Magazine, Delish, Epicurious This is the story of a family as told through food. Judy, the mom, speaks to traditional Chinese dishes and cultural backstory. Bill, the dad, worked in his family’s Chinese restaurants and will walk you through how to make a glorious Cantonese Roast Duck. Daughters Sarah and Kaitlin have your vegetable-forward and one-dish recipes covered—put them all together and you have the first cookbook from the funny and poignant family behind the popular blog The Woks of Life. In addition to recipes for Mini Char Siu Bao, Spicy Beef Biang Biang Noodles, Cantonese Pork Belly Fried Rice, and Salt-and-Pepper Fried Oyster Mushrooms, there are also helpful tips and tricks throughout, including an elaborate rundown of the Chinese pantry, explanations of essential tools (including the all-important wok), and insight on game-changing Chinese cooking secrets like how to “velvet” meat to make it extra tender and juicy. Whether you’re new to Chinese cooking or if your pantry is always stocked with bean paste and chili oil, you’ll find lots of inspiration and trustworthy recipes that will become a part of your family story, too.

Recommended by David Lebovitz

From stunning layered cakes to fruit-forward tarts and spiced holiday cookies, Luisa Weiss opens up the world of German baking to bakers around the world. My dream is to be in her kitchen, stretching strudel, twisting pretzels and layering chocolate tortes alongside her. Classic German Baking takes me right there. (from Amazon)

From her cheerful Berlin kitchen, Luisa Weiss shares more than 100 rigorously researched and tested recipes, gathered from expert bakers, friends, family, and time-honored sources throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. German baking has influenced baking traditions around the world for generations and is a source of great nostalgia for those of German and Central European heritage. Yet the very best recipes for Germany’s cookies, cakes, tortes, and breads, passed down through generations, have never before been collected and perfected for contemporary American home bakers. Enter Luisa Weiss, the Berlin-based creator of the adored Wednesday Chef blog and self-taught ambassador of the German baking canon. Whether you’re in the mood for the simple yet emblematic Streuselkuchen, crisp and flaky Strudel, or classic breakfast Brötchen, every recipe you’re looking for is here, along with detailed advice to ensure success plus delightful storytelling about the origins, meaning, and rituals behind the recipes. Paired with more than 100 photographs of Berlin and delectable baked goods, such as Elisenlebkuchen, Marmorierter Mohnkuchen, and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, this book will encourage home bakers of all skill levels to delve into the charm of Germany’s rich baking tradition. Classic German Baking is an authoritative collection of recipes that provides delicious inspiration for any time of day, whether it’s for a special breakfast, a celebration with friends and family, or just a regular afternoon coffee-and-cake break, an important part of everyday German life.

Recommended by David Lebovitz

Zoë Bakes Cakes is a spectacular collection of cakes that are within anyone’s reach, from beginning bakers to those who are looking to take their cakes to the next level. With the hows and whys, and lots of step-by-step photos from Zoë’s kitchen, it’s like having her right there with you, whipping, creaming, and swirling. This is the perfect baking book! (from Amazon)

IACP AWARD WINNER • The expert baker and bestselling author behind the Magnolia Network original series Zoë Bakes explores her favorite dessert—cakes!—with more than 85 recipes to create flavorful and beautiful layers, loafs, Bundts, and more. “Zoë’s relentless curiosity has made her an artist in the truest sense of the word.”—Joanna Gaines, co-founder of Magnolia NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR BY TIME OUT Cake is the ultimate symbol of celebration, used to mark birthdays, weddings, or even just a Tuesday night. In Zoë Bakes Cakes, bestselling author and expert baker Zoë François demystifies the craft of cakes through more than eighty-five simple and straightforward recipes. Discover treats such as Coconut–Candy Bar Cake, Apple Cake with Honey-Bourbon Glaze, and decadent Chocolate Devil’s Food Cake. With step-by-step photo guides that break down baking fundamentals—like creaming butter and sugar—and Zoë’s expert knowledge to guide you, anyone can make these delightful creations. Featuring everything from Bundt cakes and loaves to a beautifully layered wedding confection, Zoë shows you how to celebrate any occasion, big or small, with delicious homemade cake.

Recommended by David Lebovitz

Claire’s easier take on the French galette des rois will win over those who want to make one with less fuss, and have more fun doing it. If anyone can turn you into a dessert person, it’s Claire. You’ll want to make everything in this book, as I do. (from Amazon)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In her first cookbook, Bon Appétit and YouTube star of the show Gourmet Makes offers wisdom, problem-solving strategies, and more than 100 meticulously tested, creative, and inspiring recipes. IACP AWARD WINNER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review • Bon Appétit • NPR • The Atlanta Journal-Constitution • Salon • Epicurious “There are no ‘just cooks’ out there, only bakers who haven't yet been converted. I am a dessert person, and we are all dessert people.”—Claire Saffitz Claire Saffitz is a baking hero for a new generation. In Dessert Person, fans will find Claire’s signature spin on sweet and savory recipes like Babkallah (a babka-Challah mashup), Apple and Concord Grape Crumble Pie, Strawberry-Cornmeal Layer Cake, Crispy Mushroom Galette, and Malted Forever Brownies. She outlines the problems and solutions for each recipe—like what to do if your pie dough for Sour Cherry Pie cracks (patch it with dough or a quiche flour paste!)—as well as practical do’s and don’ts, skill level, prep and bake time, step-by-step photography, and foundational know-how. With her trademark warmth and superpower ability to explain anything baking related, Claire is ready to make everyone a dessert person.

Recommended by David Lebovitz

From beginners to more experienced cooks, everyone will benefit from Vietnamese Food Any Day, which demystifies ingredients and techniques so anyone can make extraordinary, authentic Vietnamese food at home. I’ve been using Andrea’s recipes for years and each one has been a sure-fire hit. I’m thrilled to have this collection of favorites that are easy to master, from snacks and soups, to shaking beef and spicy sweet tofu! (from Amazon)

Delicious, fresh Vietnamese food is achievable any night of the week with this cookbook's 80 accessible, easy recipes. IACP AWARD FINALIST • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • The Washington Post • Eater • Food52 • Epicurious • Christian Science Monitor • Library Journal Drawing on decades of experience, as well as the cooking hacks her mom adopted after fleeing from Vietnam to America, award-winning author Andrea Nguyen shows you how to use easy-to-find ingredients to create true Vietnamese flavors at home—fast. With Nguyen as your guide, there’s no need to take a trip to a specialty grocer for favorites such as banh mi, rice paper rolls, and pho, as well as recipes for Honey-Glazed Pork Riblets, Chile Garlic Chicken Wings, Vibrant Turmeric Coconut Rice, and No-Churn Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream. Nguyen’s tips and tricks for creating Viet food from ingredients at national supermarkets are indispensable, liberating home cooks and making everyday cooking easier.

Recommended by David Lebovitz

For anyone interested in French cuisine, French Cooking Academy is the perfect place to start. This handy reference book will guide you to culinary success! (from Amazon)

Discover the Best Culinary Delights of France With 100 showstopping recipes, Stephane Nguyen takes you on a tour of the best France has to offer, prepared in the simplest way possible. Filled with all the sweet and savory classics you’ve always wanted to make, as well as some lesser-known regional delicacies, this book will be your guide to mastering classic French cuisine. Through helpful tips on efficient mise en place and tried-and-true culinary techniques aimed at budding home cooks, Stephane shows you that delicious food can be accessible to all and that French cooking doesn’t have to be difficult. The recipes are presented in an authentic bistro-style menu, with dishes ranging from small bites and appetizers all the way to delectable mains―and let us not forget the legendary French desserts. Ideal for gatherings and even weeknight meals, feature recipes include: Creamy Ham and Cheese Feuilleté French Onion Soup with Port W ine Slow Cooked Beef in Dark Belgian Beer Steak au Poivre Braised Chicken in Tarragon Sauce Normandy Apple Tart with Calvados Petit Raspberry Mille-Feuille French cooking will be a breeze with this mouthwatering variety of recipes that are guaranteed to elevate every culinary experience.

Recommended by David Lebovitz

There’s no one I trust more than the bakers at King Arthur with the task of creating the ultimate compendium of cookies. With recipes ranging from chewy chocolate chip cookies (with a surprising secret), classic molasses cookies, and buttery shortbreads, to global favorites like biscotti, linzer bars, alfajores, and Parisian macarons (oh-la-la!), there’s something for everyone in this generous collection. (from Amazon)

Newly revised and updated―The must-have cookie cookbook for bakers of all levels with over 400 recipes from America's most trusted baking resource. From the perfect chocolate chip cookie (whether you prefer it chewy, crisp, or in-between) to simple sugar cookies ranging in flavor from lemon to cinnamon to vanilla, from brownies and blondies to shortbread, graham crackers, macaroons, chocolate biscotti―you’ll discover more than 400 delightful cookies in these pages. From classic flavors to modern techniques, these recipes will inspire and satisfy cookie lovers and bakers at every skill level. King Arthur Baking Company’s talented and trusted test kitchen experts provide an overview of essential cookie ingredients―updated and revised―along with step-by-step instructions and illustrations that result in visually impressive and incredible-tasting cookies. Recipes are enhanced with sidebars full of hints, shortcuts, troubleshooting advice, and recipe lore. With tips on substitutions and variations; information about gluten-free flours; details on measuring and weighing ingredients; instructions for making icings, fillings, and dips; and even advice on high-altitude baking, this truly is the ultimate cookie cookbook. 150 illustrations, 24-page photo insert

Recommended by David Lebovitz

Jake Cohen is the modern master of menschiness! (from Amazon)

Get lost in the pages of this great summer read A New York Times bestseller! A brilliantly modern take on Jewish culinary traditions for a new generation of readers, from a bright new star in the culinary world. When you think of Jewish food, a few classics come to mind: chicken soup with matzo balls, challah, maybe a babka if you’re feeling adventurous. But as food writer and nice Jewish boy Jake Cohen demonstrates in this stunning debut cookbook, Jewish food can be so much more. In Jew-ish, he reinvents the food of his Ashkenazi heritage and draws inspiration from his husband’s Persian-Iraqi traditions to offer recipes that are modern, fresh, and enticing for a whole new generation of readers. Imagine the components of an everything bagel wrapped into a flaky galette latkes dyed vibrant yellow with saffron for a Persian spin on the potato pancake, best-ever hybrid desserts like Macaroon Brownies and Pumpkin Spice Babka! Jew-ish features elevated, yet approachable classics along with innovative creations, such as: Jake’s Perfect Challah Roasted Tomato Brisket Short Rib Cholent Iraqi Beet Kubbeh Soup Cacio e Pepe Rugelach Sabich Bagel Sandwiches, andMatzo Tiramisu. Jew-ish is a brilliant collection of delicious recipes, but it’s much more than that. As Jake reconciles ancient traditions with our modern times, his recipes become a celebration of a rich and vibrant history, a love story of blending cultures, and an invitation to gather around the table and create new memories with family, friends, and loved ones.

Recommended by David Lebovitz

From kicking off the day with Nutty Seedy Breakfast Cookies, to Peppermint Kisses as an after-dinner treat (with a stellar assortment of cakes, cookies, pies, and candies in between), Pastry Love is Joanne Chang’s best collection of recipes yet! She is a rare combination of enthusiasm, talent, and passion—anything Joanne bakes, I want to eat. (from Amazon)

A must-have baking bible from the James Beard award–winning baker and owner of the beloved Flour bakeries in Boston. James Beard award–winning baker Joanne Chang is best known around the country for her eight acclaimed Flour bakeries in Boston. Chang has published two books based on the offerings at Flour, such as her famous sticky buns, but Pastry Love is her most personal and comprehensive book yet. It includes 125 dessert recipes for many things she could never serve in the setting of a bakery—for example, items that are best served warm or with whipped cream on top. Nothing makes Chang happier than baking and sharing treats with others, and that passion comes through in every recipe, such as Strawberry Slab Pie, Mocha Chip Cookies, and Malted Chocolate Cake. The recipes start off easy such as Lemon Sugar Cookies and build up to showstoppers like Passion Fruit Crepe Cake. The book also includes master lessons and essential techniques for making pastry cream, lemon curd, puff pastry, and more, all of which make this book a must-have for beginners and expert home bakers alike. *One of Food & Wine’s Essential New Cookbooks for Fall* *One of Food52’s Best Cookbooks of Fall 2019* *One of Bon Appetit’s Fall Books We’ve Been Waiting All Summer For*