These are my absolute favorite cookbooks, the ones I think teach the basics and have good recipes: 

 
  • The New Moosewood Cookbook
  • Passionate Vegetarian (this is my all-time favorite)
  • The All-new Joy of Cooking
  • 1,001 Cupcakes, Cookies and other Tempting Treats (perfect for bakers)
  • How to Cook Everything
  • How to Cook Everything Vegetarian
Here are also some of my favorite food related entertainment sources:
  • The Splendid Table
  • The Food Network (although this does not teach you how to cook, it does provide very good entertainment for foodies)
  • The Alton Browncast
~ the little pink chef