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Hi,

I am looking for AUTHENTIC Italian and French cookbooks. I would *REALLY* prefer illustrations, but that's not a necessity as I can probably find what the dish should look like on a images.google.com.

My requirements are:
Easy to follow instructions
Covering whatever subject it is thoroughly (ie, The Silver Spoon covers most of all Italian cooking; say I get The Bible to Creating Pasta - it needs to list 90%+ of all pastas I can make and how to do it).
I'd prefer if they don't mention dishes that can't be made in America because it isn't available.

Right now the only cook book I own is Thomas Keller's book, The Complete Keller: The French Laundry Cookbook & Bouchon.

I am an advanced cook, but now am looking for some good, authentic recipes to really begin my life of cooking.

What do you recommend? I have a budget of 300 to spend on cookbooks; so recommend everything and all! : -)

Thank you!