Must-have Asheville cookbooks for any home cook's collection

Asheville is the land of the foodie thanks to the many culinary artists sharing their gifts and talents with hungry diners.

The city continues to receive recognition for its food and beer scene that’s only getting bigger and better with each new restaurant and brewery that opens.

Residents relish having these renowned restaurants in their backyards. Tourists are met with the challenge of fitting in as many restaurants visits as possible on their trip’s itinerary.

The good news is that many of these tempting dishes can be attempted by home cooks near and far.

If unable to get to an AVL restaurant or desiring to cook like some of the city’s greats, add these cookbooks of local favorites to your collection. And cozy up with a few books delving into the city’s rich and bountiful food and beverage history and offerings.

'The Asheville Bee Charmer Cookbook: Sweet and Savory Recipes Inspired by 28 Honey Varietals and Blends'

By Carrie Schloss (author) and Angela B. Garbot (photographer)

The 130 recipes inspired by the artisanal honey purveyors are the bees-knees.

Learn how to whip up dishes using Asheville Bee Charmer’s 28 honey varietals and blends from chef and culinary consultant Carris Schloss.

The cookbook features instructions for main and sides dishes, as well as salads, snacks and desserts. Each encompasses a helping of honey that makes for a flavorful tasting experience that will leave dinner guests buzzing.

Find out the answers to everything you wanted to know — and things you never thought to ask — about the world of honey and bees.

Buy it here: ashevillebeecharmer.com.

'12 Bones Smokehouse'

By Bryan King, Angela King, Shane Heavner and Mackensy Lunsford

The Asheville smokehouse connoisseurs have packed in recipes for entrees, sides and desserts that will take the next cookout up a few notches. The 12 Bones cookbook features old family favorites to modern recipes created on the spot at the restaurant.

In the "mountain BBQ cookbook," learn how to make 12 Bones’ signature ribs, chicken, pulled pork and other savory, smoky barbecue. Other highlights include a 19th-century vinegar slaw recipe, a slew of desserts and 12 Bones’ collection of eclectic rib rubs and barbecue sauces, such as the blueberry chipotle.

Buy the updated edition with more barbecue recipes here: 12bones.com.

'Biscuit Head: New Southern Biscuits, Breakfasts, and Brunch'

By Jason Roy and Carolyn Roy

Make Biscuit Head’s Classic Cathead Biscuits the star of your meal — morning, noon or night. Jason and Carolyn Roy, husband and wife restaurateurs, share the secrets to their signature recipes for the massive biscuits that’s such a huge hit with diners that the line is known to go out the door of the Asheville eatery.

Beyond the anything but basic biscuit recipe, the Roys guide cooks on other ways to “Put some South in your mouth.” The cookbook includes instruction on making the restaurant’s Mimosa Fried Chicken with Sweet Potato Chai Butter and Sriracha Slaw, Biscuit Donut Holes with Lemon Curd and Beer City Biscuit.

Plus, nab recipes for gluten-free biscuits, Okra Hush Puppies, Quinoa Scramble and more.

The colorfully illustrated pages add to the mouthwatering experience.

Buy it here: biscuitheads.com.

'Buxton Hall Barbecue's Book of Smoke: Wood-Smoked Meat, Sides, and More'

By Elliott Moss