I said, "Herbs,Herb!"

Spices and Herbs

By: Jill Norman

Why do I have two kinds of spice books?

Priority? I guess...

I was first recommended to this book so I got this one at least a couple months before I got the other one. So in other words It was just a impulse buy..

Pictures/cover

Honestly It also caught my eye because of the cover and the amazing pictures inside. I mean sure it may not have extensive information on each herb or spice, or have as many herbs or spices, but the pictures sure are pretty! And looking through this book I even discovered herbs and spices I haven't even heard of. And that's saying something!

Because I can

The more books in my culinary library the happier it makes me! It's amazing how much my library has grown even since buying this book.. The only sad part is I have exactly used this one...yet

What's the difference between books?

Well for one this one is more expensive comparatively because it's a hardcover and has a lot more fancy pictures. Another thing is that has less information then the other one. It only lists information like tasting notes,parts used, buying and storage, harvesting, and culinary uses.

Other books by the author

The Cook's Book: Techniques and tips from the world's master chefs

Teas and Tisanes

101 Essential Tips: Cooking with Spices

Aromatic Herbs: How to Use Them in Cooking and Seasoning Foods 

Price Range

$10 - 25 

The "Other" Bible

Spice and Herb Bible

By: Ian Hemphill 
with recipes by Kate Hemphill

Should you use it religiously?

Yes

This book is very very cool and is fantastically accurate and fun to look at! You should use it as you would the actual bible.

No 

Wait, why would say no? Why are you even reading this blog? 

What is it useful for?

Defining 

This books really helps you nail on what spice your using and what it's all about. It practically defines to a point on where you will have no questions after you read all the information on just one spice. They even include recipes for each and every spice in the book!

Finding

Looking for a new way to flavor your food? Well this book is perfect for that. It has literally over 100 spices and herbs for you to find while reading it. Not only does it help you find new herbs and spices it gives you pictures and great descriptions. 

Discovering

Honestly looking through this book I guarantee you will find a spice or an herb that you have never ever ever heard of in your entire life! I mean sure it has all the common one, but it really opens up a new world for you. For every spice/herb it gives you it's botanical name, family name, names in other languages, flavor group, weight per teaspoon, suggested quantity per pound and even complements to that spice/herb. And that's not even all the information it gives you about one!

Other books by the author

The Spice and Herb Bible: A Cook's Guide
Herbaceous
Spice Notes
Spicery: A Cook's Guide to Culinary Spices

Price Range

$10- 20

My Favorite Dictionary

The New Food Lover's Companion; Fifth Addition

By: Sharon Tyler Herbst and Ron Herbst

Why do you NEED it?

Curiosity? 

Haven't you at some time in your life be curious about something related to cooking? Say you wanted to look up what thyme was? Or Barbecuing? This book helps with just that! It gives you the chance to discover more of the culinary world.

Culinary School??

And I'm sure if you have been or are in culinary school you at time have just not been able to quite figure out what something is. You think and think and think, but you just can't quite get your finger on it. Just being able to have something else as a reference or go to (besides your notes) is very helpful!

Interested in Food? 

Maybe you just have some interest in food and want to know more? Well your in luck, this book will compel you further pursue this interest. I know that when I'm at the book store any book that is about anything I'm even mildly interested in I will check it out!

Other Books by the Authors

Breads

Desserts-Sensational

The Joy of Cookies

Dictionary of Cooking Terms
The Wine Lover's Companion
The Cheese Lover’s Companion

Prices

$10.69 Rakuten.com
$12.57 Barnes and Nobles
$12.01 Amazon Books

My first recommendation

Take 5 Ingredients

By: James Tanner

Why I like it? and YOU should too!

Simplicity 

Everything in his book is very easy to make and easy directions to follow. And the fact that he has 95 recipes in this book makes it EVEN BETTER! And in most of his recipes they are very common ingredients that you can buy at any grocery store.

Price for recipe's ingredients

Not only are there 5 to 10 ingredients to each recipe, the ingredients are generally inexpensive (depending on what recipe you choose) For example: there is a crab linguine recipe (that you can view on Epicurious.com) and we ALL know how expensive crab is these days. 

Great pictures and directions

His book has amazing detailed pictures that make your mouth water and help increase the chance that you WILL make it. Also his instructions for his recipes are extremely easy to follow.

My favorite Recipes

Green Curry

I love this curry recipe especially because it's so delicious and simple! I made it a couple times and every time it turns out perfect. It makes it so that you don't have to make curry paste from scratch and it only has 6 ingredients.

Gnocchi with Bacon & Peas 

I have not made this recipe yet, but I have made gnocchi before and it is very easy. And it only has six ingredients (including salt and pepper). I mean who can resist a recipe with BACON in it?

Other Books by the Author

• For Chocolate Lovers - Published 5 October 2006, co-written by Chris Tanner
• Ice Cream - Published 25 March 2008, co-written by Chris Tanner
• James Tanner Takes 5: Delicious Dishes Using Just 5 Ingredients - Published 30 September 2010
• Old Favourites, New Twists: 100 classic recipes with a difference - Published 11 July 2013

Price Range for the Book

$5-10 (Depending on where you look)