The new crop of cookbooks speaks volumes about food today. The emphasis continues to be on ingredients fresh and seasonal, as you’d expect in a world where farmers markets have practically become a religion. And we can’t remember when we’ve seen so many vegan and vegetarian volumes fly over the transom. They came, we saw, we read. And here are 10 of our favorites. — Jane Touzalin
“The Brokeass Gourmet Cookbook: Recipes to Keep Your Taste Buds Happy and Your Wallet Thick,” by Gabi Moskowitz (Egg & Dart, 2012, $16.95, paperback). The voice of this budget-concious lifestyle blogger is engaging, and her recipes are basic, appealing and cost-itemized. She includes cocktails, wine and suggested menus. But the price of seemingly inexpensive foods, such as green onion nan with chutney, works out to almost $2 per portion. And about that recipe: Girlfriend could have spent a little more time proofreading.Dynamic Housewares