For me, it's the "Joy of Cooking" (aka the standard cooking bible) of today. I got a copy of the 10th anniversary edition at Changing Hands annual New Years' sale.

A great cookbook for beginners as more emphasis is placed on preparation and techniques than on following recipes. Alternative options encourage readers to create their own versions of recipes. There is plenty of advice for handling and storage as well.

I love Bittman, his recipes are always easy to follow and they always turn out like they are supposed to. From a clumsy cook like me, that is the highest praise I can give.

A good, solid book for beginner chefs or those who need an introduction to a new dish. Nothing in here is complicated, by design. There aren't any show-stopper recipes in here, but this is a perfect cookbook for the person who wants to get serious and learn from the ground up. The instructional notes on how to handle food (deboning chicken, for example) are lifesavers.

This book truly teaches you how to cook everything. With wonderful pictures that tell the story of how to cook, and expertly explained steps, ingredients, and tools; this book is what you need in the kitchen. I love this book, but my husband LOVES this book and I can catch him bragging about the foods that he has made by using the recipes and skills he learned. BUY IT!!!

Helpful, thorough, sassy, unintimidating...there's something about Mark Bittman's style that is both confidence building and cynical at the same time. How is that possible. Anyway, I feel like this book has helped me simplify my life, but in a good, wholesome way.

I don't care if it's vegetarian or not, it's still damn good.

My very favorite cookbook/reference guide for food.

Lots of really good recipes, including basic recipes for easy modifications. I use this cookbook all the time.

So far this book has been very helpful and informative. I really like the style of the writing, and when there is some specific I want to know how to do I can jump straight to it.