Fashion

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

PHAIDON

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

BOOKSHOP

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

BARNES AND NOBLE

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Artist Spotlight

Adin Ross Blindsided by Kanye West’s Controversial Gift, A Swastika Shirt With His Name

Adin Ross is a well known streamer in the hip-hop community, famous for showcasing some of the biggest artists in the genre. He has hosted viral interviews and has helped amplify the work of music giants like Drake, earning a reputation as a connector between artists and their fans. However, things took a shocking turn with Kanye West, and the relationship may be irreparable. In the past, Ross has expressed his admiration for West and even tried to collaborate with him on his stream. Recently, West made a bizarre attempt to reach out to Ross by gifting him a custom t-shirt with a Swastika and Ross’s name. This left Ross, who is Jewish, feeling horrified and betrayed.

The awkward moment unfolded during a FaceTime call that Ross recorded and shared with his followers. What started as a friendly chat quickly turned shocking when West unveiled the offensive t-shirt. Ross was visibly stunned, exclaiming, “What the f*ck?!” as he processed what he had just seen. He paused the video and turned to his audience to express his disbelief. “He has a shirt with a Swastika with my name on it,” he said, clearly disappointed and in shock. His viewers reacted with outrage and support for Ross, flooding the chat with their messages.

Throughout the call, Ross tried to keep his cool and handled the situation carefully. He later explained that some fans might have expected him to confront West more aggressively, but he felt the entire situation was just too absurd. “I know y’all are gonna say I didn’t stand up to him,” he noted, emphasizing that his calm reaction didn’t mean he supported West’s actions. This incident is just another episode in Kanye West’s ongoing controversies, but for Adin Ross, it feels like a personal betrayal.

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Artist Spotlight

Jim Jones Goes Savage On Ma$e’s Weight By Saying “He Looks Really Rough”

Jim Jones, the Harlem rapper known for speaking his mind, has recently taken shots at fellow rapper Ma$e in an interview with XXL magazine. Jones didn’t hold back when discussing Ma$e’s appearance, specifically targeting his weight. “Ma$e needs to go on a diet,” Jones said straightforwardly. “He needs to get his life together. He should see a doctor for a check up because he looks really rough.”

Jones was just getting started and didn’t shy away from making more harsh comments. “His body looks out of shape,” he added. “He looks big around the neck and his waist is a mess. I’m body shaming him because he needs to get it together and hit the treadmill, do some push ups, do something! Especially if he’s going to mess with me.” The two rappers have a complicated history with some past disagreements in the Harlem music scene. While Ma$e has mostly been quiet about the recent drama, Jones seems unbothered and is willing to take things personal. As of now, Ma$e has not responded to Jones’ strong remarks.

It’s uncertain if he will ignore the comments or fire back, but Ma$e is known for not staying silent for long. Given the current tensions in the New York hip-hop scene, this exchange could stir up old rivalries. Jim Jones is recognized for his bold personality and straightforward opinions, and his recent remarks show he’s not concerned about hurting anyone’s feelings, especially those of Ma$e. Fans are eagerly awaiting Ma$e’s reaction. Will he respond, or will he choose to take the high road? Either way, this rivalry between these two Harlem rappers is heating up.

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