books like Ad Hoc at Home and Ruhlman's Twenty, which include techniques, are invaluable. Favorite cookbook of all time has to be the red and white giaghnm Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook. You know the one. It has been around forever and it was one of my firsts and will always have a place in my kitchen. I understand exactly what you are saying. I have been taking a long time to write my own cookbook but not for the sake of getting noticed or making money but for the fact that it's for me and for my family. I see tons and tons of Italian cookbooks out there, all geared towards this type of Italian cooking that is mainstream, but not what the real Italian cooks. So many of my mother's cooking I have not seen in cookbooks including the desserts. I have looked in so many Italian cookbooks and can tell you I haven't eaten 3/4 of what is in those Italian cookbooks. So I am trying to focus on the foods we eat at home, what real Italian mothers and wives cook. I hope with that people will notice the real soul/comfort food of Italians. There are indeed so many cookbooks out there but I hope to always find those that stick out. I have found many and some of the unique ones at garage sales that are so old as well. Those are the gems for me! A successful cookbook to me is one that can