Jamie Oliver's 'Cook with Jamie' (my Guide to making you a better cook) is a great cookbook. Not only does it contain delicious recipes, it also gives tips on buying meat, fish, herbs and how to buy, cook and distinguish them. So in that sense this book is not just about the actual cooking, but in fact about being a good cook, knowing your food and most of all knowing the better ingredients. This book really helped me to master new techniques and in fact has changed the way I shop. It comes recommended by me.