Simple Fare: Spring/Summer + Fall/Winter (Karen Mordechai)

These are the cookbooks I reach for when I’m feeling overwhelmed and uninspired. Simple(ish), market-driven, intuitive, and adaptable seasonal recipes, presented in a coffee-table-worthy format. Oh, and did I mention? Consistently delicious.

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. Great for all levels, instructions are approachable for beginners while offering nuanced, inspiring flavor profiles for experienced cooks.

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.