Larousse

I don't care if you're never going to use this cookbook. OWN IT. READ IT. NOW.
The recipes are written in a non-accessible form for the beginner, it's like when my mother tells me how to do a recipe (plus some measurements). Here's one example on how to make chocolate cream puffs:

"Prepare some confectioner's custard (pastry cream) and flavour it with melted chocolate. Separately prepare some chocolate fondant icing (frosting) using 200g fondant icing and 50g cocoa blended with 2 tablespoons water. Fill some choux buns with chocolate custard and coat with the fondant icing. Leave to set."

That's it. That's the whole recipe. Of course, things referred to here such as the pastry cream and choux buns do have a recipe mentioned in the book. It's pretty minimalistic.
… (more)