Summer is here, and whether you want to grill, cook local food, throw a big party or just make dessert, there's a cookbook for that. Emeril Lagasse brought "GMA" a roundup of the summer's best cookbooks, which have great recipes for any occasion.
These selections are divided into six categories -- grilling, farm-to-table, everyday cooking, summer desserts, diet recipes and entertaining. Plus we have 12 Web extra selections!
Click Here for our recipe page containing more great summer recipe ideas.
'The Tex Mex Grill,' by Robb Walsh
Publishers' Weekly said this sequel to Walsh's 2004 "Tex-Mex Cookbook" is for chili-heads and grill jockeys alike. It features smoky, classic Tex-Mex recipes: the classic bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dog; a must-try Beef Short Ribs in Ancho-Molasses Sauce; Texas Red Grapefruit Salsa.
Adam Perry Lang is a classically French-trained chef turned bona fide BBQ expert. This cookbook is a collection of the 25 recipes that we cook 95 percent of the time, and the book itself is windproof and spill proof.
'Planet BBQ,' by Steven Raichlen
Raichlen traveled the globe three times. Six continents, 53 countries and 275 recipes later, he has this book, giving each country a two-page profile. Chapters are arranged by meat rather than point of origin, so the Serbian bacon-grilled prunes are seated next to the jalapeno poppers, and Laotian grilled fish sits next to Canadian trout grilled on a log.
'In the Green Kitchen,' by Alice Waters
Alice Waters has been a champion of the sustainable, local cooking movement for decades, and this book is filled with her essential cooking techniques to be learned by heart. It boasts more than 50 recipes for delicious fresh, local and seasonal meals from Alice and her friends.
'Farm to Fork,' by Emeril Lagasse
No list would be complete without Emeril's own farm-to-table cookbook that celebrates local food.
'Melissa's Everyday Cooking With Organic Produce,' by Cathy Thomas
This cookbook is a great guide to cooking with produce and making familiar, relaxed recipes. There are also some protein recipes -- such as Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Fresh Cherry Relish -- each designed to highlight a fruit or vegetable.
'Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook, 15th Edition,' by Better Homes and Gardens
This updated and revised 15th edition of America's favorite cookbook has 750 new recipes. The original was published in 1930, selling 40 million copies through 14 editions.
'Everyday Food: Fresh Flavors Fast,' by The Kitchens of Martha Stewart Living
The book is organized into categories: sandwiches and pizzas, appetizers, salads, soups and stews, pastas, main courses and side dishes. It shows you how to stretch meals by using leftovers and features economical ingredients and healthier versions of comfort foods.
'Farmer's Market Desserts,' by Jennie Schacht
This is a fabulous collection of delicious fruit-based desserts that celebrate summer's bounty. It's great for anyone who goes to the market and finds what is fresh growing in their backyard. Recipes include Deep Dish Sour Cherry Pie and Nectarine Blueberry Cobbler.
'Whoopie Pies,' by Sarah Billingsley and Amy Treadwell
Whoopie Pies and ice cream sandwiches just might be the next big thing in desserts. This book has 40 mix-and-match recipes, including the classic chocolate with marshmallow cream.
'The Divvies Bakery Cookbook,' by Lori Sandler
This book lets those with the four major food allergens -- peanuts, tree nuts, dairy and eggs -- put baked goods back in their kitchens. Ingredients that are left out have been replaced by double dollops of the good and the gooey, like chocolate, oatmeal and molasses -- making the confections not only safe to eat but absolutely delicious for everyone, even those without food allergies.
'Porch Parties,' by Denise Gee
'Fiesta at Rick's,' by Rick Bayless
'Now Eat This,' by Rocco DiSpirito
'Cook This, Not That,' by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding
'Molto Gusto,' by Mario Batali
'Cat Cora's Classics With a Twist,' by Cat Cora
'Sara Moulton's Everyday Family Dinners,' by Sara Moulton
'The Good Stuff Cookbook,' by Spike Mendelsohn
'The Perfect Finish,' by Bill Yosses
'The Blue Ribbon Cookbook,' by Bruce and Eric Bromberg
'The Ciao Bella Book of Gelato & Sorbetto,' by F.W. Pearce and Danilo Zecchin
'Eating Local,' by Sur La Table and Janet Fletcher
'The Sono Baking Company Cookbook,' by John Barricelli
'Fast, Fresh, & Green,' by Susie Middleton