1. The Bread Lover's Bread Machine Cookbook
Harvard Common Press
Beth Hensperger has written numerous books on bread baking, and this one is a must for anyone who owns a bread machine. She devotes plenty of pages to learning about the features and settings of your machine and troubleshooting bread-making problems, as well as step-by-step tutorials that will teach you how to make a basic loaf. More than 300 recipes include all types of breads and baked goods, as well as unusual uses for the machine, such as making jams and pasta doughs.
2. The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook
Harvard Common Press
If you think a rice cooker is only good for making a batch of white rice on stir-fry night, think again. Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann illustrate just how indispensable a rice cooker can be for making one-pot meals, side dishes, grains, steamed foods, and desserts. The book is peppered with information on different kinds of rices, grains and other ingredients, as well as sidebars with tips and variations, making it an excellent reference.
3. Indoor! Grilling
Workman Publishing
Grilling guru Steven Raichlen proves here that you don't need an outdoor barbecue to create great grilled flavor. The 270 recipes in this book include appetizers, sandwiches, side dishes breads, burgers, meats and seafood, and even desserts, and span both regional American and ethnic cuisines. Each recipe has specific variations depending on what type of equipment you're using, whether it be a contact grill, rotisserie, freestanding grill, built-in grilltop, smoker or even a fireplace.
4. Pressure Cooking for Everyone
The pressure cooker is an underrated time-saver, and in this book, Rick Rodgers and Arlene Ward demonstrate how to make the most of this tool with recipes that include soups, elegant meat and poultry entrees, quick versions of bean and grain dishes, vegetable side dishes, and desserts. Newcomers to this tool will appreciate an informative section explaining how pressure cookers work and tips on using them effectively.
5. Slow Cooker Cooking
Lora Brody aims to take slow cookers to a new level with her book, which not only includes traditional dishes like pot roast, brisket and stews, but also more innovative recipes like slow-cooker salmon (inspired by a dish on the menu of a high-end restaurant), dulce de leche and a risotto version that eliminates the constant stirring. She even explains how to use the slow cooker to proof bread dough, make ice cream base, and caramelize onions.
6. The Ultimate Ice Cream Book
Bruce Weinstein has written the definitive ice cream recipe book, with over 500 different options. A helpful introduction explains the science behind making ice creams and sorbets, and nearly every recipe has a handful of variations. You'll even find recipes for ice cream cones, toppings and ice cream-based drinks.