September's 9 Essential Culinary Finds

Like the many fans of her blog 101 Cookbooks, I've long been awaiting the release of Heidi Swanson's Near & Far: Recipes Inspired by Home and Travel ($30), her fourth and arguably most-ambitious cookbook to date. An object of beauty as well as an inspiring collection of plant-based recipes drawn from her home life and her far-reaching travels abroad, it's nearly as satisfying to flip through as it is to cook from. I've tabbed nearly every other page, but I especially can't wait to try her pluot-kefir-almond baked oatmeal, salt-baked sweet potatoes with olives and grapefruit, and sake-glazed mushrooms.

— Nicole Perry, assistant editor