There are certain staples like salt and pepper, butter, and olive oil that belong in every kitchen. Mark Bittman’s “How to Cook Everything” is one of those staples. This almost thousand-page cookbook/cooking resource provides recipes and instructions for almost anything a person needs to prepare a snack or the perfect meal. Looking to make the perfect Blood Mary? Bittman has recipes. Looking to make the perfect pasta? This book has several wonderful recipes. Need help planning the perfect Passover menu? Yep! There are several of those as well. This book is both a James Beard and Julie Child cookbook award winner and after you try out some of the recipes in this book, you will see why. There are too many recipes to pick a favorite, but a highlight includes the Crab Cake recipe on page 331. It’s not just a favorite of mine; it’s become a family favorite loved by my wife and now a favorite of my in-laws. It’s a real crowd pleaser.