A good, definitive cookbook makes an excellent wedding gift - it's something that the bride and groom will likely keep and consult for years, and there's something special about knowing your gift will be the source for a lifetime of wonderful meals to enjoy together. Here are some of the best cookbooks to give as wedding gifts. While many of these books are available in paperback, I recommend buying the hardcover editions. Yes, they're slightly more expensive, but they make a nicer presentation and will better stand up to the rigors of being used in a kitchen.

•Betty Crocker's Cookbook (Bridal Edition)

For generations, many a young housewife learned to cook from the pages of Betty Crocker's Cookbook, and this book, now in its 10th Edition, is still relevant for today's cooks. The Betty Crocker's Cookbook: Bridal Edition has a special section that includes tips on organizing, menu planning and entertaining, and even ideas for making events and special occasions more romantic. There are also pages to record special meals and milestones. There are nearly 1,000 recipes, and fast and low-fat recipes are marked for easy reference. Color photos and how-to illustrations help new cooks master culinary skills.More »

•Julia's Kitchen Wisdom by Julia Child

?Julia Child is best known for her first cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but this book is far more useful and versatile. Culled from Child's own notes about techniques and tricks that worked and didn't, this book is an excellent reference to take a decent cook to the next level. It's organized by category, with a master recipe for each section, followed by variations that will help cooks become comfortable with trying their own riffs on basic classics ranging from roast chicken to scrambled eggs to basic vinaigrette.More »

•The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer

This 75th Anniversary edition of the classic is as indispensable in the kitchen as the original version was when it debuted in 1931. With more than 1,000 pages, this hefty tome offers detailed and easy-to-understand instructions for nearly every recipe you might need. This updated version even includes modern additions, such as enchiladas, sushi, corn dogs and slow cooker recipes. From home cooks to celebrity chefs, cooks of all levels of expertise will find this book a helpful reference.

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•Cooking for Two by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough

Newly married couples, who don't yet have children, will appreciate this book, which is full of recipes that make just enough food for the two of them, without having to waste extras or worry about leftovers. This veteran cookbook-writing duo has developed recipes and shopping tips that entail buying smaller quantities so that even the ingredients don't risk going to waste - for instance, using a shallot in place of a larger onion. There's even a section of cookies and desserts that just make enough for two - ideal for those who want something sweet but don't want to be tempted by having an entire batch of cookies in their house. Recipes have designations according to the amount of time they take to prepare, from "Quick" to "Leisurely."More »

•How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman

This exhaustive, modern-day cooking bible really does seem to have instructions on how to cook just about everything. Nearly every of its 2,000-some recipes include variations, so  cooks can take a mix-and-match approachand customize recipes according to their preferences and what ingredients they have available. Numerous sidebars include explanations and illustrations of techniques, information on caring for and using cooking equipment, and tips on choosing ingredients. Be sure to choose the revised edition; half of the content is new.

Read a <a href="/links/?u=http://cookingequipment.D106/u/reviews/cookbooks/cookbookreviews/Cookbook-Review-of-How-to-Cook-Everything-by-Mark-Bittman.htm">user review</a> of How to Cook Everything.More »