Best Fish & Seafood Cooking
2012 IPPY Bronze Award in the Cookbook category (Independent Publisher Book Awards). ForeWord Reviews 2012 Book of the Year Award Finalist (TBA). 2013 James Beard Foundation Book Awards, Nominee Finalist. Born from the principles of the local food movement, a growing number of people are returning to hunting and preparing fish and game for their home tables. "Griffiths may be an ideologue, but his recipes adapt well to the work of the unarmed home cook hoping simply to feed friends beautiful, flavorful food in the chill of early winter. — Sam Sifton, "How to Tame a Wild Pork Chop" featured in The New York Times Magazine "I don't really see myself plucking doves anytime soon—rather I tend to feed them—but I greatly admire Jesse Griffiths and his work, especially Afield. —Martin Picard aka "The Wild Chef," author of Au Pied de Cochon Sugar Shack. "A kindred spirit and fellow hunter, angler and cook, Jesse Griffiths has created a book that not only highlights the glories of Texas' abundant game and fish, but is also just as relevant and as useful wherever you can find doves and deer, crabs and crappies. —Hank Shaw, author of Hunt, Gather, Cook "Jesse Griffiths practices what most of us only preach when it comes to sustainable eating. Gracefully teaching sustainability and holistic cooking in Texas, he has become the young grandaddy to a new generation of chefs and butchers. Hunting is not for all of us, but this book has much to teach about working with meat, cooking game well, and for some us, it offers a gentle, thoughtful introduction to a way with food that seemed foreign in the past. Jesse Griffiths is an omnivore's inspiration — one of Texas' greatest supporters of and educators on local foods of every kind — he's just as good with vegetables as he is with game . “Griffiths takes you inside the moment with him, into his head, as he searches for a downed doe or sets the hook in a catfish’s mouth. It’s impossible to miss Griffiths’ reverence for the lives he literally consumes.” —Kim Pierce, Dallas Morning News “Everything you want to know about hyper-locavorism can be found in this book of stories, recipes and how-tos that will take you from couch potato to wild boar hunter in no time. Half of [the photographs] will inspire you to never eat anything processed again, while the other half will make you want to grab your rod or gun and head out into the wild right away.” — Bearings: A Southern Lifestyle for Men “ Afield is at once anecdotal and educational… In a country where gun ownership is more associated with NRA zealots than food sourcing, Griffiths wants to open up people’s minds to living off the land once again.” —Veronica Meewes, CultureMap Austin “Afield will inspire you to do—to roll up your sleeves and catch a flounder, clean a rabbit, field dress a feral hog, butcher a deer, cook up a squirrel, and make your own sausage—all in the name of a good meal.” —Sarah Hebbel-Stone, FarmPlate “Part recipe collection, part Hemingway-esque adventure read, [Afield] comes from one of Austin’s fiercest talents.” —Paula Disbrowe, Daily South “Yes, it’s a cookbook, but more specifically, it’s an impeccably written, extensively photographed manual that takes people through the hunting process from land, lake, and sea and right back into the home kitchen.” —Layne Lynch, Texas Monthly "For a reader who knows the magic of a duck blind at sunrise, the writing is evocative; for the novice, it offers additional insight into why hunting and fishing are favored pastimes for millions in this country." —Kerry Luft, Chicago Tribune "Griffiths forges a new approach to the sustainable movement through a compelling narrative on the benefits, both mental and physical, to catching your own dinner." “A practitioner of the new hunting-cooking movement, Griffiths also happens to be a gifted writer who captures the drama and romance of moving through a creek slowly so as not to spook the fish or gutting and scaling whiting directly into Gulf waves while surf fishing… [It’s] Hemingway-esque.” —Greg Morago, Houston Chronicle “[Afield] is one of the better game cookbooks in recent years, equally accessible to avid hunters and fishermen and those who are just starting out, as well as those who are debating whether to begin.” —Kerry Luft, Latino Times “We have come a long way from our days as hunter-gatherers, yet there is still deep satisfaction in catching a fish and cooking it yourself…Jesse Griffiths has tapped into that primordial urge.” —Michael Hoinski, Texas Monthly.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Gave it to a friend as a gift..."
"Every hunger/outdoorsman should buy this book!"
"This is beyond just a cookbook - Jesse Griffiths writes about the hunt before each section (the book is divided into types of game) so that you really get a feel for what it is like, not just hunting but being there, the people, the places."
"It's a very good book, and it covers a wide variety of game."
"Wonderful book for the sportsman!"
"To start, its a beautiful high quality cook book with incredible recipes for fish and game."
"This is an excellent book that is part cookbook, beautiful coffee table book, and field guide for the hunter in your life."
"This truly is a great book (it is far more than a cookbook)... Part manifesto for the "locavore" movement / part practical guide for hunting, cleaning and preparing local game."
So here, in explicit detail, are recipes for the great traditional dishes--gumbos and jambalayas, Shrimp Creole, Turtle Soup, Cajun "Popcorn," Crawfish Etouffee, Pecan Pie, and dozens more--each refined by the skill and genius of Chef Prudhomme so that they are at once authentic and modern in their methods. The most famous of Paul Prudhomme's original recipes is Blackened Redfish, a daringly simple dish of fiery Cajun flavor that is often singled out by food writers as an example of the best of new American regional cooking. Then along came Chef Paul Prudhomme, and all of that changed. And Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen was the book that made it happen.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Saw this book mentioned by a reviewer of another book as containing all the very basic Louisiana recipes."
"I love this cook book."
"Love those recipes."
"Everything you ever wanted to know about Louisiana cooking."
"So happy I brought this book."
"Thanks for all the great recipes Chef Paul."
"A classic for my NO cookbook section."
"Order filled promptly with nice, clean used cookbook."
With full color throughout, lots of recipes, a very user-friendly concealed wiro-bound hardcover binding, 500 photos and hundreds of tips and techniques, this sushi book is sure to become the go-to guide for sushi and sashimi lovers, novice and experienced alike. It includes a brief history of sushi; a description of the tools and ingredients required; tips on buying, storing and butchering fish; and a comprehensive how-to section for sashimi and sushi.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The recipes are easy to follow and are very valuable to help the want to be "chef.""
"AWESOME BOOK!!!"
"This book shows photo's with step by step instructions for making sushi for the beginner."
"Great book, beautiful illustrations, easy to follow, well written."
"Great for a beginner, bought as a gift it was fantastic."
"It was everything that was advertised and more."
"Excellent detailed receipes and illustrations."
"Complete color pictures and detailed descriptions of how to make rice, sushi, and sashimi."
Best Raw Cooking
Appetites, his first cookbook in more than ten years, boils down forty-plus years of professional cooking and globe-trotting to a tight repertoire of personal favorites—dishes that everyone should (at least in Mr. Bourdain’s opinion) know how to cook. “In what might be his most accessible book yet, Bourdain reveals his “Ina Garten-like need to feed the people around me” with a terrific collection of recipes for family and friends.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) ).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Great pictures."
"If you ever want the straight skinny on things - anything - just ask Tony Bourdain."
"This is one of those cookbooks that's not only good for its recipes, but also just for reading."
"I enjoyed reading the book."
"Great book!"
"A fun read."
"Appetites is his love of food and a way to the fun in the kitchen, if you dare."
"Good Information from Bourdain -this is an entertaining read as well as a good cookbook ..."
Best Tailgating Cooking
Recipes in this smoker cookbook include: Beer Can Chicken, Hickory-Smoked Pork Belly, "All Day Long" Smoked Beef Brisket, Beach Barbecue Lobster Tails, Coffee-Rubbed Buffalo Steak, and so much more! Previously, he served as a web producer for Bon Appétit and Epicurious, and as an editor at The Daily Meal, where he ran the test kitchen.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My favorite part of the book is Part One which is Smoking Fundamentals. Once you get pass Part One then here comes the good part: Part Two: Let's Smoke Meat."
"Not only does it have tons of great recipes for all kinds of meats, sauces, rubs and fish but it actually teaches the reader how to smoke protein and vegetables the right way."
"This book would make a great gift for any family member you feel would love to try their hand at real BBQ cooking."
"After sharing the different types of smokers, what the process of smoking does to meats, the cuts that are best for smoking, and types of woods, Real BBQ dives into a collection of recipes that are gathered by meat type they pertain to."
"I am also a pretty picky eater... but everything in this book sounds amazing and I cannot wait to try!!! I don't usually purchase cookbooks - because I find everything on the internet and save the space books take up around my house.. but that's the beauty of Kindle Editions!"
"My family loves BBQ, but we could never seem to get quite the same taste at home, that we did at BBQ restaurants and now I know why!"
Best Scandinavian Cooking
'Hygge has been translated as everything from the art of creating intimacy to cosiness of the soul to taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things . Meik is CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and has spent years studying the magic of Danish life. the best qualified author (...) cosy and engaging Sunday Express Infectiously positive (...) the best beginner's guide Mail on Sunday this book explains everything you need to know about the Danish art of living well Metro Danish, dishy and the world's happiest man (this book) is gorgeously designed Times every wondered why Denmark is always ranked one of the happiest places on earth? Daily Mail Ireland The Danes are famously the happiest people in the world, and hygge is a cornerstone of their way of life.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Having been married to a Danish national for well over a decade now, and having made many annual (and sometimes more often) trips back to her homeland, it was with equal parts curiosity and incredulity that I found myself buying this book. The authenticity is there, and you can tell when you read about things like unscented candles being the status quo, and how the most popular manufacturers don't even offer scented products. Likewise, the references the ubiquitous mid-century light fixtures, advent candles and, most importantly, the predominance of wood furniture over composites or synthetics, all rings true to anyone that has spent any time in Denmark. Another bit that made rang true was discussion of the Danish weather, in particular the fact that some Danes will tell you there are only the gray and green winters. I actually agree on this point, because while it may be a regional thing (I spend most of my time on Fyn (Funen) when in Denmark), nobody and I mean nobody I've ever met would make, much less eat, any of this stuff in order to get their hygge fix. On the other hand, if you're after some deep, PhD dissertation style treatise on the subject of hygge, from the foundations all the way to modern practices and with every aspect beaten to death for 750 pages, then no, this is not the one for you."
"Thorough, clear, and with a sprinkling of snark make this the best book I've read on "hygge," and I've read LOTS of them."
"To find out what it's all about I read 'The Little Book of Hygge' by Meik Wiking (pronounced Mike Viking). As Wiking describes it, hygge is 'an atmosphere, an experience' - what we feel when we're with people we love in a warm and comfortable place. For instance, the following would be hyggelig: a small group of friends sitting around a fireplace in a cabin, wearing big jumpers (sweaters) and wooly socks, drinking malt wine. A traditional feature of Danish children's birthday parties is 'Cakeman' - a pastry in the shape of a large gingerbread man, decorated with flags, sweets, and candles. One is called Skipperlabskovs (Skipper Stew), which is brisket sitting in potato mash - served wtih pickled beets and rye bread. For casual wear, Danes like a comfortable jumper.....with leggings for girls or skinny jeans for boys. Wiking's suggestions for hyggelig pastimes include things like: spend a weekend in a cabin; have a cooking party with your friends; go out on a rowboat and bring a picnic basket; put couches in your office; have a movie night - with popcorn; go to a hyggelig restaurant and order pickled herring and schnapps; buy confections at a bakery; enjoy exhibitions of Christmas lights; have smorrebrod (an open sandwich on rye bread) with beer or schnapps; read a good book; and so on. For example, here's one: invite a couple of friends over; watch Netlfix; bring in Mexican food; drink sangria....and later on - have chocolate eclairs for dessert. = Hyggelig sounds might be: the crackling of burning wood; the pitter patter of raindrops; and trees waving in the breeze. However, Wiking's numerous suggestions for 'hyggelig experiences' got very repetitive.....and after awhile, it seemed like a lot of padding to have enough words for an entire book."
"Feeling Hygge just reading this."
"Great book!"
"My new favorite coffee table book."
"Practical tips, with a touch of humor to keep the reader interested."
Best Cooking by Ingredient
New York Times Bestseller. Named one of the Best Books of 2017 by NPR, Buzzfeed, The. Atlantic , The. Washington Post , Chicago Tribune , Rachel Ray Every Day , San Francisco Chronicle , Vice Munchies, Elle.com, Glamour , Eater, Newsday, Minneapolis Star Tribune , The Seattle Times , Tampa Bay Times , Tasting Table, Modern Farmer , Publishers Weekly, and more. Refer to the canon of 100 essential recipes—and dozens of variations—to put the lessons into practice and make bright, balanced vinaigrettes, perfectly caramelized roast vegetables, tender braised meats, and light, flaky pastry doughs. "Just reading Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will make you a better cook, adept at seasoning, balancing, understanding what it really is you’re doing and why... Make room on the bedside table—and the countertop." (NPR.org). "My favorite metacookbook...[Nosrat] offers a beautifully simple checklist for ensuring a dish ends up in a good place...This is the book of cooking grammar that so many novices would benefit from... Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is written smoothly and casually, and kept breezy via charming watercolors by the perceptive Bay Area artist Wendy MacNaughton...Nosrat’s book would be of value both to people who don’t consider themselves cooks and to people actively striving to become better ones." Samin Nosrat just published “Salt Fat Acid Heat — Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking” and I daresay this one is essential...That’s the fabulous thing about this book — it teaches readers about cooking, how to employ various techniques, and how to grasp that any subtle variations in technique can have significant impacts upon our end results. With a full understanding of how each element effects flavor and texture, a home cook can easily extrapolate and apply these principles to unfamiliar ingredients or dishes and still cook with confidence...The curious cook will eventually find her copy of this book stained and dog-eared, as she consults its essential kitchen wisdom for years to come." (Cooking Light ). "[This book] will be valuable for either a beginner or a seasoned cook. (Eater). "In the days after reading Samin Nosrat's new book, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, eating felt like a new adventure...And when it came time to cook simple meals, the raw carrots and greens in my fridge looked less intimidating: I had new tools to tame them...Inspiring this sense of culinary liberation was precisely Nosrat's goal with her cookbook, which eschews formulaic recipes in favor of heartfelt stories, bits and pieces of science, and time-tested nuggets of kitchen wisdom (not to mention gorgeous and witty watercolors by the prolific Wendy MacNaughton)...boy, does Nosrat deliver." A recent batch of cookbooks...have turned this notion on its ear, aiming, instead, to better prepare home cooks to build weekly menus and avoid food waste...the best book to come out of this new trend is, to my mind, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by chef Samin Nosrat, with whimsical illustrations by Wendy MacNaughton. Nosrat, who's been called 'America's next great cooking teacher' by Alice Waters and taught Michael Pollan how to cook, is a more than trustworthy instructor." This is partly because Nosrat's method of teaching via the book's four main pillars (salt, fat, acid, and heat) is a rarity...But what makes Nosrat's method so effective was her insistence that the book be illustrated. It’s all there for the curious, determined cook.” (Milk Street Magazine). "In the Bay Area, writer and chef Samin Nosrat has cult followings both for her pop-up dinners at Tartine Bakery in San Francisco and her cooking classes, which friends swear have changed their time in the kitchen...This is a new kind of book. Just reading Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will make you a better cook, adept at seasoning, balancing, understanding what it really is you’re doing and why." This book is approachable and inspiring and lays a strong, strong foundation (Joy The Baker ). “Wonderfully illustrated by Wendy MacNaughton, author Samin Nosrat's exuberant-but-exacting cooking style comes through and is shared generously...It will instruct, cajole, delight, encourage, inspire, and motivate anyone who is even slightly interested in cooking. (Mic.com). "Nosrat’s lighthearted approach and whimsical illustrations in Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking will teach you how to make delicious food anywhere with any ingredients, even without a recipe." The entire first half of the book is Samin being Samin – an incredible teacher and guide, with infectious enthusiasm for food, good cooking, and good eating. (Fine Dining Lovers ). “This beautiful, approachable book not only teaches you how to cook, but captures how it should feel to cook: full of exploration, spontaneity and joy. Samin is one of the great teachers I know, and wins people over to cooking with real food—organic, seasonal, and alive—with her irrepressible enthusiasm and curiosity.” (Alice Waters, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Simple Food ). “Everyone was impressed when Michael Pollan managed to summarize the huge and complex subject of what we should be eating in just seven words: ‘Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.’ Samin Nosrat has managed to summarize the huge and complex subject of how we should be cooking in just four words: ‘Salt, fat, acid, heat.’ Everyone will be hugely impressed.” (Yotam Ottolenghi, New York Times bestselling author of Jerusalem ). “ Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is a must for anyone wanting to be a better cook. Samin Nosrat, along with Wendy MacNaughton’s fun illustrations, teaches the fundamentals of cooking and dives into the four elements that make food taste great. I promise you won’t regret it.” (April Bloomfield, James Beard award-winning chef and author of A Girl and Her Pig ). “Like the amazing meals that come out of Samin Nosrat’s kitchen, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is the perfect mixture of highest-quality ingredients: beautiful storytelling, clear science, an infectious love of food, and Wendy MacNaughton’s powerful art. Nosrat’s prose combined with MacNaughton’s beautiful illustrations are a perfect guide to employing the science of cooking for maximum deliciousness.” —Rebecca Skloot, New York Times bestselling authorof The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Rebecca Skloot, New York Times bestselling author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks ). “ Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is a very important book not because it contains many excellent recipes, although it does, or because it is written by a Chez Panisse alum, although it is. Ticking all the boxes for new and seasoned cooks alike, this book meets you wherever you are in the kitchen, in all the right ways.” (Heidi Swanson, New York Times bestselling author of Super Natural Cooking ). “In this excellent, accessible cookbook, Nosrat leads readers through the cooking process… MacNaughton’s whimsical illustrations, charts, and graphs add to the experience. Nosrat invites readers to learn what it takes to master these components and take their cooking from good to great...MacNaughton's illustrations add a touch of whimsy to the text, highlighting the techniques and skills presented in a clever manner. Success in the kitchen depends on just four elements: salt, fat, acid, and heat...Culinary students and serious home cooks can discover from both text and drawings how to succeed through fundamentals of their craft." In this vital book, Nosrat demystifies the kitchen, explaining in friendly, confident terms why and how salt and fat enhance and build flavor, respectively; the effect of acidity in balancing out a dish; and knowing how to control heat and thus, the finished dish. (Elle.com). "With Nosrat’s sharp insights and Wendy MacNaughton’s playful illustrations as a guide, the readers of this book will develop essential cooking instincts." Featuring 150 illustrations and infographics that reveal an atlas to the world of flavor by illustrator Wendy MacNaughton, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will be your compass in the kitchen."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Best text about cooking I've ever read."
"I've always loved the "why" in cooking and baking (like the Cooks Illustrated approach and The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science) - but I love that she narrows it down to four basic elements. But this books and others, like Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking are important because they give you the tools to innovate and recipes become starting points. I wish I had this book 20 years ago when I started seriously cooking."
"I love the fold out on p. 193 "what should I cook" that advises to go back and read the book through before you practice...a brilliant observation that the book is about "the journey, not the destination" as are so many things we pursue and experience."
"Not a collection of recipes, though the book does contain recipes, but a clear, thoughtful and good humored explanation of the major elements of cooking -- salt, fat, acid and heat."
"Colorful doodles keep you engaged and having fun while learning, as well as a helpful guide on what to always have stocked in terms of spices and bare necessity kitchen utensils."
"This is a "must have" book."
"I am enjoying new seasoning and cooking methods."
"Great sketches that are humorous and informative."
Best Pasta & Noodle Cooking
Learn how to use the best ingredients and simple, classic techniques to make fresh, homemade pasta in your own kitchen with Making Artisan Pasta . Through author and chef Aliza Green’s pasta expertise and encyclopedic knowledge of all things culinary, plus hundreds of gorgeous photos by acclaimed food photographer Steve Legato, you’ll never look at the supermarket pasta aisle the same way again. He resides just outside of Philadelphia, PA. Visit his website at http://www.stevelegato.com.Aliza Green is an award-winning Philadelphia-based author, journalist, and influential chef whose books include The Butcher's Apprentice and Making Artisan Pasta(Quarry Books, 2012),The Fishmonger's Apprentice(Quarry Books, 2010), Starting with Ingredients: Baking (Running Press, 2008) and Starting with Ingredients (Running Press, 2006), four perennially popular Field Guides to food (Quirk, 2004-2007), Beans: More than 200 Delicious, Wholesome Recipes from Around the World (Running Press, 2004) and successful collaborations with renowned chefs Guillermo Pernot and Georges Perrier.ÿA former food columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, and Cooking Light Magazine, Green is known for her encyclopedic knowledge of every possible ingredient, its history, culture, and use in the kitchen and bakery and for her lively story-telling. For more information about Aliza's books and tours or to send her a message, visit her website at http://www.alizagreen.com.Steve Legato is a freelance photographer specializing in food, restaurant industry, cookbooks and advertising.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have other pasta books, such as the joy of pasta, and usually they are maybe 25% actual pasta recipes, and the rest is sauce or soup or casseroles using the pasta. There is nothing wrong with that, but Making Artisan Pasta is a book about the pasta, about what ingredients to use, how to use them, how to make the pasta, form the pasta, and tons and tons of ideas and tips on making amazing pasta. There are some pastas that simply call for special gadgets to make them, it's the nature of the pasta, but if you don't want to spend a penny on new fun equipment there are still plenty of pasta recipes you can easily make."
"It is a pasta and noodle making book with recipe suggestions as to what flavors would go well with the pasta ingredients."
"Once you try the pasta recipies in this book you will never eat store bought again."
"all kinds of great recipes....already gained 2 pounds."
"I love the fact it gives you various instructions whether making or cutting it by hand or with a machine."
"There are recipes for white or red wines pasta dough; porcini mushroom dough; CHOCOLATE pasta dough; matzo balls, ravioli gnudi, spaetzle, passatelli, laminated pastas, Siberian pelmeni, pot stickers, and numerous others."
"The instructions are simple and clear-there are photos of each recipe, and they are unique...something you would actually use."
"Illustrations are very helpful and photos of finished dishes always make a cookbook enjoyable."
Best Natural Food Cooking
With five bustling restaurants in London and two stellar cookbooks, Ottolenghi is one of the most respected chefs in the world; in Jerusalem, he and Tamimi have collaborated to produce their most personal cookbook yet. The book’s leisurely pace picks up with the introduction of dishes, some familiar but many not, that include fattoush, latkes, mejadra, clear chicken soup with knaidlach, pan-fried mackerel with golden beetroot and orange salsa, and helbeh (fenugreek cake).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This cookbook is approachable and the recipes are actually something you will make...and then make again. ****Edit****I would just like to say, that one of the reasons, I think, that this is so doable for a Middle Eastern cookbook, is these are the recipes that regular people make."
"We ended up getting it for my father in law for Christmas and I think he read the whole thing cover to cover on Christmas Day."
"This cookbook offers both; the recipes work (I should note I have the UK edition without US conversions)--many of the techniques are new to me and they work well--and the flavors are amazing. The first recipes I made from this book were the roasted cauliflower salad with celery, hazelnuts and pomegranate and the sofrito chicken. I am adding this cookbook to my top 10 list because a) it's a beautiful, well-written book, b) the recipes work very well when followed to the letter, but there's lots of room for improvisation, c) the flavor and texture combinations are complex, subtle and well-balanced, and d) the dishes are delicious."
"The recipes are well described so you can successfully create a great diverse table full of beautiful plated food."
"I have it both as a book and on Kindle -- I usually don't buy cookbooks like this one on Kindle because I love the real book -- but I knew I would want to show off some of these recipes when I am visiting family and friends so I have them portable, too."
"Such a wonderful cookbook!"
"Some of these recipes were more beautiful on the pages of this book than in reality...some odd preparations but a good creative source for cooks looking to expand their usual fare."
Best Rice & Grains Cooking
In this new edition of the award-winning and best-selling The Bread Baker’s Apprentice , Peter shares bread breakthroughs arising from his study in France’s famed boulangeries and the always-enlightening time spent in the culinary college kitchen with his students. Peter’s years of hands-on experience combined with his excellent teaching skills make this book the closest thing to having a master at your side as you bake.” —LORA BRODY, author of Basic Baking. Peter Reinhart’s explicit recipes and detailed instructions are so well written that he takes the mystery out of mastery, giving you the sense that he is standing right beside you, coaching you to success.” —FLO BRAKER, author of The Simple Art of Perfect Baking.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I had the opportunity to bake the original challah recipe immediately followed by the new & improved 15th anniversary updated recipe. After baking, I found that the original recipe yielded a nice dark golden brown crust, while the improved recipe was a beautiful deep mahogany tone more consistent with professionally made challah loaves that I have seen elsewhere. Reinhart has updated his method for this book, and it now includes an adaptation of the pineapple juice solution from his book “Whole-Grain Breads.” This is a positive step for the 15th anniversary edition. Since the original edition of this book, Reinhart has always taught two baker’s percentage methods, but it would seem that he originally had a preference for the method which expressed the pre-ferment as an ingredient. I am happy to say that Reinhart has edited the 15th anniversary edition to include both methods simultaneously. Reinhart writes, “No two ovens bake the same, so all baking times are approximate and based on conventional radiant-heat ovens (p. 38).” When I have rented a vacation home, I have enjoyed bringing this book along with me because Reinhart’s bake temperatures and times do well in an oven that I am not very familiar with. In the original edition of this book, Reinhart teaches the double-steaming method—but he does have a prominent note about La Cloche, noting that “these are fun to use and do a great job of trapping moisture for a big oven spring and shine (p. 94).” I think there are a good many home bakers, including myself, who have come to the conclusion that La Cloche bakers (along with Dutch Ovens and inverted hotel pans on a baking stone) do a much superior job of trapping steam than any other techniques, including Reinhart’s method. Reinhart writes, “Although most of the instructions in this book provide the temperature for the liquid, feel free to calculate it yourself using this formula and adjust the liquid temperature as needed based on your temperature conditions and the mixing method you are using (p. 53).” Reinhart’s temperatures have worked well for me, so I don’t know how necessary this new information will be, but many other books include similar formulas. I don't think that these three recipes in and of themselves would be enough justification for someone with the first edition to purchase the book anew. I treasure baking enough of these recipes that having the latest edition of the recipes is worth it to me. The first edition only specified 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, but the 15th anniversary edition was edited to also include the weight in both ounces and grams. By using a tablespoon to measure the cinnamon--instead of using the weights--I've successfully made the Cinnamon Raisin Bagels, and my wife is quite fond of this recipe. In the 15th anniversary edition (p. 274), the ground aniseed is still listed as one teaspoon but the weight has changed to three times as much from the first edition! Pictures: I have uploaded eight pictures, although they have not always displayed properly due to technical difficulties: Celebration Challah Loaf (p. 140); Knotted Roll made from White Bread, variation #2 (p. 286); Hot Dog Buns made from White Bread, variation #2 (p. 286); Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Bread with a cinnamon swirl and cinnamon sugar crust pan loaf (p. 154); pan loaf of Vienna Bread with special Dutch Crunch / Mottled topping (p. 280); the picture with the three slices are from left to right: 100% naturally-leavened Pain au Levain with raisins (a variation of Basic Sourdough Bread, p. 246), Whole-Wheat Bread (p. 288), and 100% naturally-leavened Poilane-Style Miche (p. 256); a slice of Marbled Rye Bread (p. 191); and a Bagel (p. 121) next to a Bialys (p. 294)."
"Can't wait to add my own adjustments to them, as well as try some more of the more technical pre-ferments, poolish, biga, etc."
"The books from King Arthur and a smattering of lesser known bread baking books have been my education until I got this one. This book is well written with a 12 step bread baking process that gives a great framework in which to think as you go about baking bread."
"Made the stollen Christmas eve and served Christmas morning; the family kept sneaking in for more."
"It was my first bread book; I live in a location with a small, small oven and small, small kitchen, but using this book, I have been baking very good bread for about 4 years."
"This is a masterpiece from the Master himself."
"This is an excellent, excellent book, hands down the best bread book I've ever read. The more one thinks in terms of making bread and the more often one does it, the easier this becomes."
"I love this book."
Best Fruit Cooking
100 Tasty and Creative Recipes: quick and easy juicing recipes to prepare fruit, vegetable, and green-based juices, accompanied by the nutritional benefits of every ingredient Weight Loss Plans: guidelines that explain the benefits of juicing diets such as fasting, cleansing, and detoxing Handy Hacks: tips ranging from how to buy the right juicer to how you can combat health problems with juicing. Juicing for Beginners brings you original recipes such as: Mango Watermelon Juice, Blueberry Beet Juice, Black Cherry and Almond Juice, Ginger Beet Juice, Cool Cilantro Coconut Juice, Get-up-and-go Juice, Green Good Morning Juice, and many more!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"While the book certainly delves into the idea of juicing for weight loss, it also offers a healthier perspective on juicing, one focused on providing yourself a way to take in more fruits and vegetables than you may normally ingest."
"Great book to get you going."
"Juicing for Beginners is truly a great book for those who want to get in on the juicing craze, yet know nothing about it."
"Juicing for beginners is a good recipe resource."
"If you're a newcomer to the world of fruit and vegetable juicing and considering giving it a try, this book's sure to provide the information you'll need to get started, as well as all the persuasion you'll need to want to."
"For those who know little to nothing about juicing, this is a great buy."
"It's easy to customize your juice diet with these lists and the helpful chart in the back (which includes the calorie, protein, carb, fat and fiber content of different ingredients)."
"Great recipes and information!"
Best Cheese & Dairy Cooking
In addition to Ben & Jerry's 11 greatest hits, here are recipes for ice creams made with fresh fruit, with chocolate, with candies and cookies, and recipes for sorbets, sundaes, and baked goods. MORE CHUNKS LESS BUNK. Despite a philosophical disagreement over chunk size-Ben prefers them large and occasional while Jerry favors frequent, somewhat smaller ones-together Ben and Jerry are good friends who make great ice cream. Specially adapted to make at home, there are 90 recipes in all, including sorbets, summer slushes, giant sundaes and other ice-cream concoctions. There's no such thing as an unredeemingly bad batch of homemade ice cream. Ben Cohen has been a Pinkerton Guard, a garbage man, and a short-order cook. Nancy Stevens is a magazine and newspaper writer who has been published in the Saturday Review, the New York Times, the Village Voice, and Working Woman.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have tried 4 recipes in this book so far and they were easy adn DELICIOUS!!"
"Best book for ice cream making you can get."
"Fun read, great ice cream receipts..."
"This book is worth 5 stars just for the sweet cream vanilla recipe."
"You can make ice-cream that tastes just as good or better than most premium ice-cream sold in supermarket."
"wasn't really fond of the recipes in this book."
"I have owned a KA ice cream maker for several years, and lucky to use it once or twice a year, but now am using it more often. Its base is normally 2 cups of heavy cream or whipping cream, and that makes the ice cream more expensive than store brand ice cream... but the taste is wonderful."
"Cool book with amazing recipes."
Best Potato Cooking
All you need to make simple, delicious, and naturally gluten-free meals Slow cookers are lifesavers for busy cooks. Carrie S. Forbes created GingerLemonGirl.com, a popular gluten-free food blog.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Slow cooking can be a challenge for those who eat gluten free since many thickeners are off-limits, but this cookbook offers tips and recipes to make slow cooking accessible once again. This book takes slow cooking beyond dinner with a variety of recipes for every meal of the day. Kid-friendly meals, holiday recipes, and breads and desserts take slow cooking to a new level with approachable yet innovative recipes for the traditional slow cooker. With two chapters of advice for adjusting to a gluten free lifestyle and techniques for successful slow cooking, there's something here for cooks of all levels of expertise."
"Have had to go on a Gluten free diet and found this book to have some great recipes."
"Lots of fun recipes."
"Chalk full of really delicious GF recipes!"
"This has been excellent for us, every recipe we make has been tasty."
"Love this book, I love to use my crockpot so I love this cookbook and the easy recipes inside."
"This is a great cookbook."
"This book has some really great recipes, but in the couple of years I have had it, I have only made two items, because the light green print is so difficult to read that I have to have someone read it to me."
Best Vegetable Cooking
A self-trained chef and food photographer, Angela Liddon has spent years perfecting the art of plant-based cooking, creating inventive and delicious recipes that have brought her devoted fans from all over the world. The Oh She Glows Cookbook also includes many allergy-friendly recipes — with more than 90 gluten-free recipes — and many recipes free of soy, nuts, sugar, and grains, too! Whether you are a vegan, "vegan-curious," or you simply want to eat delicious food that just happens to be healthy, too, this cookbook is a must-have for anyone who longs to eat well, feel great, and simply glow! Her first cookbook, The Oh She Glows Cookbook , is an international bestseller.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I made that recipe, and truly loved it - loved it enough that it joined the ranks of my all-time favorites - but it wasn't until I read a review for this very cookbook, accompanied by a different recipe (Thai peanut noodle bowl) that sounded fairly delicious, that I started to consider buying a cookbook new when then only cookbooks I buy ever are used and cheap. Smoothies, Juice, and Tea - 11 recipes - probably the biggest disappointment for me in the book; I'm not big on smoothies, juice, or tea...and when I want something like that, I don't need a recipe to make it. Salads - 8 recipes - I'm good with the smaller number of salads included here; I've got salad recipes coming out the wazoo, and never mind that I'm usually pretty good at coming up with a salad all on my own. Soup - 7 recipes - A couple of these sound a bit weird, but there are two for sure that I want to make as soon as I get to the grocery store again. Sides - 9 recipes - some of these feel a bit like cheating (baked fries needed a recipe? Power Snacks - 9 recipes - two roasted chickpea recipes is probably pushing it, but I possibly would have bought this book just for the peanut butter cookie dough bites. Homemade Staples - 27 recipes - this chapter almost made me knock the book down to four stars - it's totally cheating to call things like oat flour and roasted garlic "recipes," and by my count there's only 88 recipes before this chapter, not "over 100" - but I think the others made up for it. Now that you've grown old reading this, I'll just summarize by saying that although I haven't made all the recipes in this book, the ones I've made all deserve five stars...and I'm looking forward to trying most of the rest of them."
"I definitely don't hate it and I haven't had any total disasters, but overall I just haven't found it inspiring or any of the recipes particularly phenomenal. However, the apple crumble was okay but I wouldn't serve it to guests; the orange-miso dressing for the soba noodle bowls was gross (and I'm a huge fan of miso); the tofu scramble was not particularly great and I think I'll stick to my own recipe for that one. The savory sections have a gross-looking nacho dip, tex-mex casserole and "fiesta bites" (all of which are heavy on the oil and processed ingredients) but few simple vegetable-rich dishes."
"This book has EVERYTHING you can imagine : from simple 5 minutes recipes for a delicious overnight cold oatmeal (my favorite to prepare at night for a healthy awakening) to incredibly complex and delicious recipes that make take a couple of hours to make, but OH MY Do I glow when I eat them? This books makes me even happier I became vegan and it is a MUST for the beginning vegan that is unsure about taste and that especially wants to stay away from the overly processed vegan alternatives on the market. Make your own delicious vegan sour cream?"
"I recently changed my lifestyle and eating habits in January 2016, and this book has really inspired me to be more creative with plant based recipes."
Best Poultry Cooking
Dripping Thighs, Sticky Chicken Fingers, Vanilla Chicken, Chicken with a Lardon, Bacon-Bound Wings, Spatchcock Chicken, Learning-to-Truss-You Chicken, Holy Hell Wings, Mustard-Spanked Chicken, and more, more, more! Fifty chicken recipes, each more seductive than the last, in a book that makes every dinner a turn-on. A parody in three acts—“The Novice Bird” (easy recipes for roasters), “Falling to Pieces” (parts perfect for weeknight meals), and “Advanced Techniques” (the climax of cooking)— Fifty Shades of Chicken is a cookbook of fifty irresistible, repertoire-boosting chicken dishes that will leave you hungry for more. With memorable tips and revealing photographs, Fifty Shades of Chicken will have you dominating dinner. Ingredients 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, patted dry with paper towels 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 teaspoon plus pinch coarse kosher salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced 1 cup white wine 1 bay leaf 1 cinnamon stick 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon honey. Directions Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss the chicken, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper together. In a small saucepan, simmer together onion, wine, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, and a pinch of salt until most of the liquid has evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes. Bake until chicken is no longer pink and onions are meltingly tender and caramelized, about 25 minutes.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this for a Christmas gift exchange."
"This is a great book to have out on the kitchen shelf, its also good as a gift for the fans of the original book series."
"I purchased this book for my boss at work since she is a fan of the movies and her diet only allows her to eat chicken, but anyway, I looked through it before giving it as a gift and the content is great!"
"Well written recipes, fun pictures and a great cheeky gift."
"The perfect gift for a bachelorette party!"
"I gave this as part of a bridal shower gift."
"This is a funny book with actual pictures of the chicken dishes....it is based on 50 Shades of Grey."
"I wrapped a bow around the book with a note saying to be opened by final recipient only....didnt want to reveal it's juicy contents ahead of time."
Best Herb, Spice & Condiment Cooking
Readers will learn to work more intuitively and effectively with ingredients; experiment with temperature and texture; excite the nose and palate with herbs, spices, and other seasonings; and balance the sensual, emotional, and spiritual elements of an extraordinary meal. An alphabetical index of flavors and ingredients, the book allows readers to search complimentary combinations for a particular ingredient (over 70 flavors go well with chickpeas; over 100 are listed for oranges), emphasizing the classics (chives with eggs, nutmeg with cream, sardines and olive oil, etc.).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A must have book for anyone who enjoys cooking."
"The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs. Amazing book, always fun to experiment with different ingredients."
"It's really the Bible of cooking I like this book."
"I don't know why I didn't buy this book before."
"If you know how to cook, this may be the best cookbook out there."
"Purchased this for my mother for Christmas, if you are looking for a cookbook this does not have a bunch of recipes its more of a guide on how to use specific flavor profiles."
"A must have for cooking lovers."
Best Chocolate Baking
When Katie's sugar habit went too far in college and left her lacking energy, she knew something needed to change. Now, in her first cookbook, Katie shares over 80 never-before-seen recipes, such as Chocolate Obsession Cake, Peanut Butter Pudding Pops, and Ultimate Unbaked Brownies, that use only real ingredients, without any unnecessary fats, sugars, or empty calories. Delicious desserts filled with whole grain flours, healthy fats, and sinful flavors to satiate your cravings! "She had me at the Secretly Healthy Brownies... when it comes to creating guiltless desserts, no one's quite as good as Katie. "― Lori Lange, creator of RecipeGirl.com and author of The Recipe Girl Cookbook.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"When I first became vegan two years ago next month, Chocolate Covered Katie was one of the first blogs that I discovered, and her recipes (and those from Angela Liddon's blog and now cookbook, The Oh She Glows Cookbook: Over 100 Vegan Recipes to Glow from the Inside Out) completely transformed the way I cooked and ate. Over these last two years, I've turned many (non-vegetarian) friends onto Katie's blog and healthy treats by re-posting her recipes on Facebook, and all of my friends who have tasted or tried her recipes have told me how amazing they are. Since Amazon doesn't yet have the "Look Inside" feature available, I wanted to give a breakdown of the chapters, along with a little "taste" of some of the recipes in each one so you get an idea of the mouth-watering delicacies in store for you: * The Chocolate-Covered Kitchen -- provides a rundown of what you might want to keep on-hand in your pantry, and some general tips for the recipes. * Cookies, Brownies, and Bars -- contains recipes for things like Sinless Peanut Butter Cookies, Chocolate-Covered Thin Mintz (the featured recipe on the cover), Chocolate Raspberry Crumble Bars. * Dessert for Breakfast -- recipes include Chocolate Brownie Waffles, Pumpkin Breakfast Pudding (which I've made from her blog; it's easy and delish! ), Elvis PB Pancakes, Chocoholic Glazed Donuts, and Midnight Chocolate Crunch Granola. * Ice Cream, Milkshakes, and Smoothies --contains about five different ice cream/sorbet recipes, along with things like PB Pudding Pops and a Chocolate Mudslide Smoothie. * Pies, Cakes, and Cupcakes -- includes the Chocolate Obsession Cake, Cashew Cream Mini-Tarts, and lots of cupcakes. * Puddings, Dips, Frostings, & More -- this chapter contains some of her wonderful dips, including the number one recipe from her blog, the Cookie Dough Dip, along with things like Healthy Notella and two different pie crust recipes. There is also a Stevia Conversation Chart and a Metric Conversion Chart in the back, along with a comprehensive Index. None of Katie's recipes (on her blog or in this book) take very long to make at all, so it's easy to whip together something yummy and healthy for dessert. She also includes a few favorite recipes (such as her Cookie Dough Dip I mentioned above -- which is one of the most amazing recipes ever -- and you'd never know that there are chickpeas in it!)."
"My husband loves her recipes and he hates any kind of “healthy desserts” (shhh He doesn’t always know what he’s eating is healthy)."
"The chocolate infinity pie recipe is worth the purchase of the book."
"Easy to understand, great explanations, wonderful recipes!"
"I love this book, especially on the recipe for the thin mints!"
"Love this cookbook!"
"I really like chocolate covered Katie recipes, bought one Cook book for my daughter and one for myself."
"Huge fan of Katie's website and work."
Best Meat & Game
With the help of physicist and food scientist Prof. Greg Blonder, PhD, of Boston University, he explains why dry brining is better than wet brining; how marinades really work; why rubs shouldn't have salt in them; the importance of digital thermometers; why searing doesn't seal in juices; how salt penetrates but spices don't; when charcoal beats gas and when gas beats charcoal; how to calibrate and tune a grill or smoker; how to keep fish from sticking; cooking with logs; the strengths and weaknesses of the new pellet cookers; tricks for rotisserie cooking; why cooking whole animals is a bad idea; which grill grates are best; and why beer-can chicken is a waste of good beer and nowhere close to the best way to cook a bird. * Myth: You should sear first, then cook.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"For years I have bought book after book to learn every secret I can about BBQ."
"I am an old BBQ cook, a certified BBQ Judge, and a reader of Meathead's columns."
"I tried three of his recipes in the past three days and they were all fantastic, and better than my usual outdoor cooking results. All of the usual suspects are in this volume, but then there are surprising entries like a French Rotisserie Chicken which is fantastic, and loaded with tasty produce, and Baha Tacos that are killer! I love to make ridiculous amounts of it, so that I can have lots of 1-2 cup baggies of leftovers in the freezer for killer pizza, nachos, migas…. 5) Migas with the leftover brisket. 6-7) Touchdown Tailgate Brat Tub – p 279. Totally leftover smoked meat worthy!"
"So while I wait (6 degrees F as I write this review) until a little warmer weather I thought I should look for a book that would provide me with rubs, sauces, and recipes plus some how to do it best methods for smoking. After reading the reviews on this book I downloaded and began looking through it....boy, do I have a lot to learn about grilling and smoking. Well, after reading the science behind cooking meat I took two 2 in thick beef filets out of the freezer and used Meathead's indirect cooking method in my oven. If you really want to up your game in the grilling department or you have a husband who thinks he knows all there is about grilling or smoking (but you know it isn't true) get this book."
"I am old school, so it is nice to have the info at your fingertips, rather than searching and clicking through a website to get a great recipe or quick reference for a cooking technique."