Los Angeles Times Cookbook Hot List

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

Last week: 1

Weeks on list: 5

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

Last week: 2

Weeks on list: 11

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

Last week: 4

Weeks on list: 5

4. “Emeril’s TV Dinners,” By Emeril Lagasse, Marcelle Bienvenue, Felicia Willett and Brian Smale (William Morrow, $25). The “bam” of that N’Awlins man.

Last week: 5

Weeks on list: 10

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

Last week: 6

Weeks on list: 44

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

Last week: 3

Weeks on list: 11

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

Last week: 7

Weeks on list: 3

8. “Taste for Living: Mike Milken’s Favorite Recipes for Fighting Cancer,” by Beth Ginsberg and Mike Milken (Allen & Osborne Inc., $27.50). The former junk-bond king’s favorite low-fat recipes.

Last week: 8

Weeks on list: 8

9. “Desserts by Pierre Herme,” by Pierre Herme and Dorie Greenspan (Little, Brown, $35). Probably the most stylish dessert book of the year from France’s current king of pastries.

Last week: --

Weeks on list: 3

10. “Charlie Trotter’s Desserts,” by Charlie Trotter (10-Speed Press, $50). It’s big and it’s beautiful, even if you never cook from it.

Last week: 10

Weeks on list: 2

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