James Beard's Theory and Practice of Good Cooking

A very cheap edition of a good book. The writing is pleasant enough to read for pleasure; the paper it's printed on is not much better than newsprint.

Best bread recipes around (outside of the ones I learned as a child). Best recipe for cream puffs. Then there's the delightful and simple "Pears poached in red wine" (delicious). Many of the recipes in this book are just simple food, cooked simply.

Another great Beard book, wonderful explanations of traditional cooking styles with recipes for each.

Marinated Raw Beef, p. 343, ok. Great if you don't have a heat source.