Simple Fare (Karen Mordechai)

These are the two cookbooks I reach for when I’m feeling overwhelmed and uninspired. Simple, market-driven, intuitive, and adaptable seasonal recipes that are consistently delicious, presented in a coffee-table-worthy format. The two-book set covers all four seasons (Vol. I is Spring/Summer, Vol. II is Fall/Winter. Both are excellent).

I particularly appreciate that every recipe is flexible, giving 3 to 5 alternative ingredients in optimized combinations, so you can adapt dishes based on what is fresh at your local market. (It also functionally triples the number of recipes in the cookbook!) Instructions are approachable; flavor profiles are nuanced and inspiring.

Mordechai is a professional food stylist and photographer, and it shows. I love the oversized format and minimalist layouts with color-popping dishes full of visual texture and energy.