Cookbooks and other books about food that have crossed our desk recently.
"COOK'S ILLUSTRATED COOKBOOK," by the editors of the America's Test Kitchen, America's Test Kitchen, $40, 890 pages
With about 2,000 recipes from 20 years in Cook's Illustrated magazine, this hefty cookbook includes 23 chapters — each focused on a different part of the meal, like appetizers, fish and shellfish, quick breaks, and six dessert categories: Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Cakes, Pies and Tarts, Fruit Desserts, Pastry, and Puddings, Custards and Frozen Desserts. Although it contains hardly any full-color photos, it does have occasional illustrations to help show things like "Boning Chicken Thighs for Teriyaki." And it does include occasional notes from the test kitchen.
"BAKING WITH THE CAKE BOSS: 100 of Buddy's Best Recipes and Decorating Secrets," by Buddy Valastro, Free Press, $30, 352 pages
The star of TLC's "Cake Boss" now has his own cookbook that has his distinctive voice and includes instructions on how to make and decorate several creative cakes. With several step-by-step instructions with photographs that make it seem simple enough for even a beginner to attempt.
Other recently released cookbooks.
"FROM OUR GRANDMOTHERS' KITCHENS: A Treasury of Lost Recipes Too Good to Forget," by the editors of the Cook's Country magazine, America's Test Kitchen, 214 pages, $29.95
From a nationwide call for recipes, the editors at America's Test Kitchen have assembled these adaptations of a old-fashioned recipes, from main dishes to desserts.
"ROBIN TAKES 5," by Robin Miller, Andrew McMeel Publishing, $29.99, 480 pages (paperback)
Robin Miller, host of Food Network's "Quick Fix Meals," has put together 500 dinner recipes that use five ingredients or less, have 500 calories or less and have a prep time of 15 minutes or less (baking times do vary).
"SIMPLY FRESH: Casual Dining at Home," by Jeff Morgan, Andrew McMeel Publishing, $25, 216 pages
Drawing from the restaurant Ruby Tuesday, this cookbook includes eight sections for each portion of a meal.
"SIMPLE FOOD, BIG FLAVOR: Unforgettable Mexican-Inspired Recipes from My Kitchen to Yours," by Aaron Sanchez with JJ Goode, Atria Books, $30, 194 pages
Sanchez, the co-host of "Chefs vs. City" on the Food Network and executive chef at Centrico, shares 15 recipes from his culinary heritage.
"FEEDING THE DRAGON: A Culinary Travelogue Through China with Recipes," by Mary Kate Tate and Nate Tate, Andrew McMeel Publishing, $24.99, 289 pages (paperback)
The siblings took three months and went 9,700 miles around China, Inner Mongolia and Hong Kong, looking at the culture and cuisine. This cookbook includes 100 recipes and several stories from their travels.
"BOUGHT, BORROWED AND STOLEN: Recipes and Knives from a Travelling Chef," by Allegra McEvedy, Conran Octopus, $24.99, 351 pages
From New York City and San Francisco in the United States to 17 other cities in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, travelling chef Allegra McEvedy shares recipes from each of those places along with the unique knives used.
"GLUTEN-FREE MAKEOVERS: Over 175 Recipes — from Family Favorites to Gourmet Goodies — Made Deliciously Wheat Free," by Beth Hillson, Da Capo Press, $19, 320 pages (paperback)
Using the mantra "substitute boldly and eat well" and looking at rations of wet to dry and fat to flour, Hillson includes recipes along with explanations for various gluten-free grains and flours.
"I LOVE MEATBALLS," by Rick Rodgers, Andrew McMeel Publishing, $19.99, 176 pages
Fifty meatball recipes for soups, appetizers and meals, and for variety of ethnic dishes, including full-color photographs.
"JUST TACOS: 100 Delicious Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner," by Shelley Wiseman, Taunton Press, $19.95, 176 pages
These tacos aren't just fast food, but include a variety of meats and cooking methods for a variety of tastes. Many of the recipes have full-color photographs.
"COOK WITHOUT A BOOK: Meatless Meals," by Pam Anderson, Rodale, $32.50, 288 pages
Targeted at part-time and full-time vegetarians, Anderson divides this cookbook into two sections: Not Strictly Breakfast and Fun Food for the Rest of the Day. Includes color photos for step-by-step instructions.
"VEGAN PIE IN THE SKY: 75 Out-of-This-World Recipes for Pies, Tarts, Cobblers and More," by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero, Da Capo Press, $17, 223 pages (paperback)
With full-color photos, this cookbook includes 75 vegan recipes for favorite desserts from fruit pies, tart, cobblers to cheesecake.
"SUGAR, SUGAR: Every Recipe Has a Story," by Kimberly "Momma" Reiner and Jenna Sanz-Agero, Andrews McMeel Publishing, $29.99, 292 pages
The background of a recipe can be as interesting as the finished product. With stories and recipes from across the U.S., this cookbook includes dozens of recipes and photos for desserts from cakes and cookies to pies and bars.
"CAKE BOY: Home Baking from Master Patissier," by Eric Lanlard, Octopus, $19.99, 224 pages
Using basic recipes, French master pastry chef Lanlard presents his own variations of these with a focus of baking at home. Includes 250 photos and some step-by-step directions.
"SO SWEET: Cookies, Cupcakes, Whoopie Pies and More," Sur La Table, Andrews McMeel Publishing, $15, 144 pages
Fifty recipes from the Sur La Table retailer for bite-sized desserts, including suggested variations and tips on using different kitchen tools.
"CUTIE PIES: 40 Sweet, Savory and Adorable Recipes," by Dani Cone, Andrews McMeel Publishing, $16.99, 160 pages
Forty recipes for compact, single-serve pies and pasties arranged by a half dozen different pie shapes.
"THE CUPCAKE DIARIES: Recipes and Memories from the Sisters of Georgetown Cupcake," by Katherine Kallinis and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, HarperOne, $23.99, 228 pages
In this part-memoir, part-cookbook, the hosts of TLC's "DC Cupcakes" include their view of some the show's episodes along with recipes and instructions for cupcakes for all occasions.
"JUNIOR'S DESSERT COOKBOOK: 75 Recipes for Cheesecakes, Pies, Cookies, Cakes and More," by Alan Rosen and Beth Allen, Taunton Press, $24.95, 188 pages
Recipes from the New York City-based Junior's Cheesecake, including Original New York Cheesecake and the "Be Mine" Valentine Cheesecake, with tips on making it just as they do in the restaurant.
"WILD GAME COOKBOOK & OTHER RECIPES" 4th edition, by Joseph Lamagna, Infinity Publishing, $12.95, 159 pages (paperback)
Dozens of recipes for fish, fowl and other hunting game.
Other recently released books about health, nutrition and food.
"BEST FOOD WRITING 2011," edited by Holly Hughes, Da Capo Press, $16, 306 pages
More than 30 writers contribute to this collection of stories and essays from previous years of books, magazines, newspapers and websites. It includes essays on "soul food" and the imporance of following instinct and not a recipe, to the proposed ban on shark fins in the San Francisco Bay area.
"HOW CARROTS WON THE TROJAN WAR: Curious (But True) Stories of Common Vegetables," by Rebecca Rupp, Storey Publishing, $14.95, 384 pages
Each of the 20 chapters is focused on the stories surround a particular vegetable, from asparagus to turnips, including the history of each and unique facts.
"OVER OUR HEADS: An Analogy on Healthcare, Good Intentions and Unforseen Consequence," by Rulon F. Stacey, Struder Firestarter Publishing, $18.95, 140 pages
Rulon Stacey, Ph.D. and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, looks at the health care system, what went wrong and possible solutions.
"ULTIMA HEALTH AND FITNESS: Pure, Simple, Effective and Practical Solutions for a Better Life," by Douglas Graha Fulford, $19.95, 135 pages
Includes five keys to better nutrition, menus and useful tips for exercises.