Here is my list of favorites with stars by the books that are the most beat up books at my house.
366 Delicious Ways to Cook Rice Beans and Grains by Andrea Chesman
Country Beans by Rita Bingham
The Laurel's Kitchen Bread Book by Laurel Roberston et al
*Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
The New Laurel's Kitchen by Laurel Robertson
*A Busy Cook's Guide to Spices by Linda Murdock
*Fix It and Forget It by Ranck and Good
I have other favorites but they're church cookbooks or old and out of print.
If you're just learning to cook then I would recommend a *Betty Crocker Cookbook, Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook, or The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.
I've always thought it a good idea for an older girl in the home to cook every recipe in one of these to gain a wide variety of skills.
