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9 of the Best Cookbooks For Beginners, From Pasta to Pastries

Looking for easy recipe suggestions? Vogue editors share the best cookbooks for beginners that they use time and time again….

-Chloe Schama, Senior Editor

The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen

Simply by Sabrina Ghayour

“As a big Ottolenghi fan—but someone too lazy to make his more elaborate dishes on a regular basis—I was obsessed with Sabrina Ghayour’s first cookbook, Persiana, which explores a similarly eclectic mix of Eastern Mediterranean cuisines but using a more easily accessible range of ingredients. This summer I picked up her latest book, Simply, which offers even speedier weeknight takes riffing on Ghayour’s largely Iranian-inspired flavors: I love the chorizo and goat’s cheese borek and the falafel recipe, both of which are super quick to whip up and make for obscenely delicious next-day leftovers too.”

-Liam Hess, Contributing Writer

What to Bake and How to Bake It by Jane Hornby

“I’m an enthusiastic baker, but a bad one—I basically need subtitles to watch the Great British Bake Off. (Feathering, tempering, proving—what?) So thank goodness for What to Bake and How to Bake It, which is part recipes, part teaching manual, and overall, one of the best cookbooks for beginners. I’ll be on my way to ‘Star Baker’ in no time.”

-Elise Taylor, Living Writer

What to Bake and How to Bake It

$35

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Pasta Grannies by Vicki Bennison

“If you adhere to the true Pasta Granny method of making your dough and sauce on Sundays, the pasta dishes in the Grannies’ cookbook are pretty easy to whip up on a weeknight—and far more delicious than any box pasta you could ever make. I think the easiest pasta shapes are probably the ones you can make with only your hands or small tools like cavatelli, orecchiette, corzetti, instead of rolling out the dough for noodles, but that’s just my take. Even if you don’t spring for the cookbook, the Grannies have a great YouTube channel too where they walk through their signature dishes. It’s a total joy to watch and cook along.”

-Steff Yotka, Fashion News Editor

Pasta Grannies

East by Meera Sodha 

“My mom gave this cookbook to my boyfriend for Christmas, and we’ve promptly made three of its recipes in a row. It features vegetarian dishes inspired by a variety of Asian cuisines, with the perfect balance of easy recipes and more intimidating ones I’m excited to try on a weekend. Categories include noodles, curries, rice, and tofu, plus a section on condiments so you can learn how to DIY pickled ginger and Sichuan chile oil. The asparagus and snow peas with chile peanut crumbs is a great starting point, with shiitake pho as a quick follow-up. I’m saving the four-ingredient ‘Breakfast at Shuko’s’ udon noodle dish for New York’s next rainy day.”

-Ella Riley-Adams, Senior Living and Beauty Editor

East

$32
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Cravings by Chrissy Teigen

“One of my favorite cookbooks is Cravings by Chrissy Teigen. I love to infuse Asian recipes into my cooking, but often the ingredients list is too lengthy or the steps are too convoluted. She allows me to indulge in my favorite dishes with ease. One dish I’ve been making a lot lately is her Asian Chicken Salad dish served with fresh crispy wonton strips and a homemade dressing.”

-Julie Tong, Senior Commerce Editor

The Balthazar Cookbook by Keith McNally, Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson

“I’d hardly call the Balthazar cookbook an easy cookbook, but somehow, it’s become my go-to—even despite being an amateur in the kitchen. Since I love baking way more than cooking, I can attest to the desserts in particular: the creme brulée is always a hit when I make it. (And I’ve been making it a lot.) Next up, I’m determined to try out the Koulibiac recipe, an old-fashioned dish with layered salmon wrapped in a puff pastry. (Salivating yet?) I’ll need a sous-chef to even attempt it, though.”

-Christian Allaire, Fashion Writer

The Balthazar Cookbook

$38
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Fashion

Keke Palmer Saves The Day At Tina Knowles’ Book Event

Honk Magazine

In a scene that felt like something straight out of a movie, Keke Palmer became the evening’s hero at Tina Knowles’ book event in Los Angeles this past weekend. Just as Knowles was about to share insights from her new memoir, “Matriarch,” her strapless gown unexpectedly started slipping down. This moment could have turned awkward very quickly, but thanks to Palmer’s quick thinking and sense of humor, it became one of the night’s most memorable moments. As everyone held their breath, Palmer sprang into action, stepping in to help Knowles while keeping her calm.

A video that’s now trending on TikTok captures this incredible moment, showing Palmer supporting Knowles and catching her dress just in time. With the crowd still in shock, Palmer lightened the mood with a funny comment that turned their gasps into laughter. She joked, “They were acting like it was a whole murder show!” before referring to the teleprompter as if it were demanding help. This incident showcased Palmer’s natural talent for handling tricky situations with grace and humor. Knowles, ever so elegant, adjusted her gown and smiled, showing why she’s known as a fashion icon.

Look this up: Tina Knowles Speaks Out About The Heartbreaking Rumors Surrounding Beyoncé’s First Pregnancy

After the mishap, Palmer expertly shifted the focus back to the book, quipping, “They was gonna give me a heart attack,” and then seamlessly transitioned back to discussing “Matriarch.” Her blend of care for Knowles and comedic timing saved the day. This was about fixing a wardrobe malfunction and was a shining example of how to handle unexpected moments with laughter and warmth. In an industry where things often go wrong, Keke Palmer proved that sometimes, a little kindness and quick thinking can turn a potential disaster into a highlight that everyone remembers.

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Fashion

Cardi B’s $60K Birkin Bag Gets The ‘Mommy Treatment’ As Daughter Unleashes Her Creativity

Honk Magazine

In a moment of relatable frustration, Cardi B took to Instagram to share a funny yet surprising story about her expensive $60,000 Birkin bag, one of her favorite items from her luxury collection. Known for her bold personality and honest social media posts, Cardi revealed that one of her daughters had turned the fancy purse into a makeshift canvas, drawing a heart on it without permission. “Look what my daughter did to my purse,” Cardi said dramatically in her Instagram Story, showing off the iconic bag to her followers. “I literally spent $60,000 on this purse,” she exclaimed, still amazed by the unexpected ‘artwork’ from her little girl.

Although she was frustrated, the mom of three tried to take it all in stride, at least for the moment. Cardi values her hard-earned luxury items, especially her growing collection of high end bags. However, as any parent knows, kids have a skill for creating chaos even in the most cherished parts of life. For Cardi, that chaos includes her high-priced accessories. The post quickly gained attention online, with fans sympathizing with Cardi’s situation. Many found humor in the irony of the event, while others offered support, pointing out that such moments are just part of the unpredictable journey of parenthood. Cardi has previously emphasized that family is her top priority, even if it means dealing with some messiness.

Check out this article: Offset Calls For Peace As He Pursues Truce With Cardi B’s Fans After Drama

But Cardi’s frustration didn’t stop there. She later took to Twitter to respond to comments made by Kanye West regarding her staying power in the spotlight. While she didn’t mention him directly, her tweet, “7 years 1 album… STILL being a topic and STILL being asked about my music!!!” sent a clear message. She confidently asserted her spot in the entertainment world, clarifying that her fans, known as “The Brim,” are not going anywhere. In the end, whether it’s a damaged Birkin bag or dealing with critics, Cardi B repeatedly shows that she remains unfazed by the ups and downs of fame, always staying true to herself and her family.

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