Los Angeles Times Cookbook Hot List

1. “How To Cook Everything,” by Mark Bittman (MacMillan, $25). A fresh approach to the cooking encyclopedia, with more than 1,500 recipes. 1/ 17

Last Week: 1

Weeks on List: 17

2. “Soup: A Way of Life,” by Barbara Kafka (Artisan, $35). All soups, all the time. 2/ 11

Last Week: 2

Weeks on List: 11

3. “Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone,” by Deborah Madison (Broadway Books, $40). Vegetarian cookbook with 1,400 recipes and sections on ingredients and cooking methods. 3/ 50

Last Week: 2

Weeks on List: 50

4. “The Pie and Pastry Bible,” by Rose Levy Beranbaum (Scribner, $35). Another masterwork from America’s most obsessive cookbook writer. 4/11

Last Week: 4

Weeks on List: 11

5. “Jean-Georges,” by Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Mark Bittman (Broadway Books, $35). Creative restaurant cooking adapted for the home kitchen. 5/ 17

Last Week: 5

Weeks on List: 17

6. “Ducasse, Flavors of France,” by Alain Ducasse and Linda Dannenberg (Artisan, $50). Ambitious home-style cooking from the six-star chef. 10/ 8

Last Week: 10

Weeks on List: 8

7. “Seductions of Rice,” by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Daguid (Artisan, $35). The world in a grain of rice. 7/ 6

Last Week: 7

Weeks on List: 6

8. “Kitchen Sessions With Charlie Trotter,” by Charlie Trotter (Ten Speed Press, $29.95). Companion volume to Trotter’s television show focuses on preparing fine cuisine at home. --/ 1

Last Week: --

Weeks on List: 1

9. “Chocolate,” by Nick Malgieri (HarperCollins, $35). Finally, everything you wanted to know about chocolate from one of America’s great baking teachers. 9/ 10

Last Week: 9

Weeks on List: 10

10. “Saveur Cooks Authentic American,” by the editors of Saveur Magazine (Chronicle Books, $40). A celebration of American cooking in photographs and recipes. --/ 5

Last Week: --

Weeks on List: 5

Rankings are based on a Times poll of national cookbook and independent booksellers.