Every year I sift through hundreds of cook books that come across my desk for me to review. It's not easy to pick out the best of the best, but here are my picks for the cooks and food lovers on your gift-giving list this year.

Everyday cooks

"The New Essentials Cookbook: A Modern Guide to Better Cooking" by America's Test Kitchen (America's Test Kitchen, $40)

This is a general cookbook that gives the reader a fresh lineup of 200 recipes, including modern renditions of dishes like butter-basted rib-eye steak, Chinese chicken salad, and cauliflower steaks with salsa verde. I love the photographs that show the final dish; but there is also a sidebar titled "Think Like A Cook," offering more images plus tips and techniques galore. This would be a great book for a new cook who is looking for improvisation and also basic recipes.

"Everyday Dorie: The Way I Cook" by Dorie Greenspan (Rux Martin/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $35)

I've known Dorie for many years and watched her grow into one of our best American cookbook writers. In her latest book, she shows you how to prepare simple recipes that are comforting, satisfying and inviting. The photography is exceptional, making one want to eat the food right off the page if they could! Dorie loves to surprise the cook with an added touch of an unusual ingredient like walnuts in her cheese puffs recipe or Thai sweet chili sauce added to roasted chicken thighs. Her recipes are clear and reliable. Select this one for the seasoned cook on your list; it won't disappoint.

International enthusiasts

"Israeli Soul" by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook (Rux Martin/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $35)

Cooks will find an Israeli odyssey of dishes that span the entire country. As delicious and creative as the food is, the book is more than a cookbook. Photographs of Israel along with beautiful, vibrant dishes take you on a journey that you don't want to leave. You'll find authentic recipes for salads of every color and combination, as well as chapters on pita bread, schwarma and hummus, with stunning photos on how to present and serve these dishes. Check this one off for the curious cook on your list.

"The Food of Northern Thailand" by Austin Bush (Clarkson Potter, $40)

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