Best Meat Cooking
Today, Franklin Barbecue has grown into the most popular, critically lauded, and obsessed-over barbecue joint in the country (if not the world)—and Franklin is the winner of every major barbecue award there is. “I used to think Aaron Franklin was a genius: There was his rise from backyard dabbler to king of Texas pitmasters; his mind-altering brisket that made normally rational people (myself included) wait hours for the chance to eat it; and his insistence that game-changing barbecue doesn’t come from miracles but rather elbow grease. And instead of just listing ingredients and rattling off generic recipes, these pages tell the story of a place and a barbecue tradition steeped in history. In it, he exposes the sacred insights of a top pitmaster—information that can otherwise only be learned from long nights spent staring at a fire, shovel in hand, constantly prodding and pinching your meat to figure out that ‘just perfect’ point of doneness.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He had a passion, he tinkered, he produced some really bad BBQ but persevered, he paid attention to the details, tweaked some to experiment, found out what worked and what didn't and then, over time, became an expert with a well-developed sense of intuition. The truth is that formula has worked for hundreds of people, great writers, radio hosts, businessmen, programmers and other professionals uses that exact same set of steps to become masters, read their biographies and listen to their interviews, it's the same story. It's hard work, it's not because Aaron uses pickle juice blessed by a New Orleans witch doctor during an eclipse as an injection precisely 14.373581 hours before it goes on the grill. You won't buy this book and then suddenly be able to cook the best BBQ on the planet, but you'll have a deeper understanding of the craft and you'll know where you should experiment and where you should learn from his mistakes."
"Franklin Barbecue: A Meat Smoking Manifesto. This is not a cookbook. ;) He walks you through the smoking of 4 meats, then goes on to recipes for a few sauces and a few sides."
"It is a great book on how Aaron Franklin does his BBQ, his history and the path of an individual to obtain goals."
"Not a ton of recipes but so much information on technique, philosophy, food prep, seasoning, equipment and smoke it will make your head spin."
"I have followed his instruction for brisket to the letter and even though I've never eaten at Franklin Barbecue (yet), it was the best brisket I had ever eaten."
"I bought this as a gift for my BBQ smoker friend."
"Giving the reasons to why makes it a truly helpful book for learning the art of BBQ."
"If you want to try something totally simple, yet totally awesome, try cooking beef ribs first if anything else -- it's simple and just pain good."
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. Goldwyn, whose day job is running the website amazingribs.com, explores the complexity of heat, meat, and smoke in the first half of his book, with a sense of humor sharper than his nickname suggests and a stack of scientific research provided by physicist Greg Blonder. Myth and lore abounds in the world of cooking, and nowhere more so than in the primal arena that exists when humans put open fire and meat together in the great outdoors (or suburban backyard, as the case may be). That’s good news for anyone who, like me, longs to understand the science of grilling and barbecue; the thermodynamics of heat transfer under that kettle dome, the chemistry of the smoke ring, and what makes a char-grilled steak so g*&@%# delicious. Flipping over each page to discover what lies on the next will remind you of the very first time you peeked under the cover of your grill and breathed in the alchemy that occurs between smoke and meat. Meathead has clearly and simply explained the science of live-fire cooking from understanding the role of fire and smoke to how marinades and brines work to flavor and enhance meat and lots more. A compilation and study of everything that affects your meat’s taste and texture.”. — Charlie McKenna, Chef Owner of Lillie’s Q, LQ Chicken Shack, and Dixie in Chicago. “ A game-changer reminiscent of the scientific wisdom of Harold McGee and the masterful techniques of Jacques Pépin .”. — Paul Virant, Executive Chef of Perennial Virant in Chicago and author of The Preservation Kitchen “ The ultimate compilation of the science of barbecue. One would be hard pressed to have a single question or curiosity that is not answered within the pages of this book.”. — Linda Orrison, President, National Barbecue Association, 2015–2016. "This is a go-to book in my cookbook library. ".
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."
With its warm, edgy humor, outstanding vocal cast, and signature musical numbers, Bob’s Burgers has become one of the most acclaimed and popular animated series on television, winning the 2014 Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program and inspiring a hit ongoing comic book and original sound track album. "Now fans can get the ultimate Bob’s Burgers experience at home with seventy-five straight from the show but actually edible Burgers of the Day. "[ The Bob’s Burgers Burger Book ] offers more than 70 recipes based on the puns from the show, often paired with cartoons featuring the characters interpreting the themes of the burgers. …The Bob’s Burgers Burger Book is what a good media tie-in should be . [ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book ] is a real cookbook that should inspire you to do some real cooking. [ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book ] is an absolute must for any culinary inclined Bob's Burgers fan ." "Now anyone can create their own Burger of the Day from the award-winning show, Bob's Burgers . "With colorful character illustrations, easy to follow directions and recipes like 'Bleu is the Warmest Cheese Burger,' 'Bruschetta-Bout-It Burger' and 'I Know Why the Cajun Burger Sings,' [ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book ] is half cookbook, half memorabilia and 100 percent bad dad joke ." Even if it does, you can make all of Bob's recipes yourself from The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers ." "[ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book is] dedicated to recipes inspired by the puckish imaginary names given to Burgers of the Day in the Fox animated series 'Bob's Burgers,' featuring burger-slinging Bob Belcher and his family trying to run a mom-and-pop fast-food operation. The Bob's Burgers Burger Book manages to do just tha t, probably because it was written by creator Loren Bouchard and the writers of the Fox cartoon, which centers around the adventures of a family that runs a small-town burger restaurant. " The Bob’s Burgers Burger Book gives hungry fans their best chance to eat one of Bob Belcher’s beloved specialty Burgers of the Day in seventy-five original, practical recipes . Serve the 'Sweaty Palms Burger (comes with Hearts of Palm)' to your ultimate crush, just like Tina Belcher, or ponder modern American literature with the 'I Know Why the Cajun Burger Sings Burger.'. Featuring 75 original recipes and illustrated in the style of the show, [ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book ] compiles recipes from blog 'The Bob's Burgers Experiment,' including the Bleu is the Warmest Cheese Burger, the Bruschetta-Bout-It Burger and more." "The recipes in [ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book ] are easy to follow and delicious!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This cookbook is better than it has any right to beef."
"I didn’t even really read the description past “cookbook.” Got it in the mail today and discovered it’s a hardcover, which was a really nice surprise, and it’s much thicker than I anticipated it would be!"
"This is an adorable little cook book full of lots of interesting ideas for different ways to make hamburgers."
"Unfortunately, I bought this as a gift so I have not gotten the full benefits of this cook book."
"Bought as a birthday gift for a friend and to amp u p their grilling season."
"Excellent book with fun recipes and calls to jokes on the show, it's definitely for fans of the series above all."
"Bought for a gift and the recipient loved it!"
"I am extremely excited to try out these recipes."
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."
Best Cooking Meats
Today, Franklin Barbecue has grown into the most popular, critically lauded, and obsessed-over barbecue joint in the country (if not the world)—and Franklin is the winner of every major barbecue award there is. “I used to think Aaron Franklin was a genius: There was his rise from backyard dabbler to king of Texas pitmasters; his mind-altering brisket that made normally rational people (myself included) wait hours for the chance to eat it; and his insistence that game-changing barbecue doesn’t come from miracles but rather elbow grease. He’s not a genius anymore; he’s a god.” — Andrew Knowlton, restaurant and drinks editor, Bon Appétit “The most refreshing barbecue book to come along yet. In it, he exposes the sacred insights of a top pitmaster—information that can otherwise only be learned from long nights spent staring at a fire, shovel in hand, constantly prodding and pinching your meat to figure out that ‘just perfect’ point of doneness. JORDAN MACKAY is the wine and spirits critic for San Francisco magazine, and the coauthor of the James Beard Award-winning Secrets of the Sommeliers .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He had a passion, he tinkered, he produced some really bad BBQ but persevered, he paid attention to the details, tweaked some to experiment, found out what worked and what didn't and then, over time, became an expert with a well-developed sense of intuition. The truth is that formula has worked for hundreds of people, great writers, radio hosts, businessmen, programmers and other professionals uses that exact same set of steps to become masters, read their biographies and listen to their interviews, it's the same story. It's hard work, it's not because Aaron uses pickle juice blessed by a New Orleans witch doctor during an eclipse as an injection precisely 14.373581 hours before it goes on the grill. You won't buy this book and then suddenly be able to cook the best BBQ on the planet, but you'll have a deeper understanding of the craft and you'll know where you should experiment and where you should learn from his mistakes."
"Franklin Barbecue: A Meat Smoking Manifesto. This is not a cookbook. ;) He walks you through the smoking of 4 meats, then goes on to recipes for a few sauces and a few sides."
"It is a great book on how Aaron Franklin does his BBQ, his history and the path of an individual to obtain goals."
"Not a ton of recipes but so much information on technique, philosophy, food prep, seasoning, equipment and smoke it will make your head spin."
"I have followed his instruction for brisket to the letter and even though I've never eaten at Franklin Barbecue (yet), it was the best brisket I had ever eaten."
"I bought this as a gift for my BBQ smoker friend."
"Giving the reasons to why makes it a truly helpful book for learning the art of BBQ."
"If you want to try something totally simple, yet totally awesome, try cooking beef ribs first if anything else -- it's simple and just pain good."
Best Outdoor Cooking
Today, Franklin Barbecue has grown into the most popular, critically lauded, and obsessed-over barbecue joint in the country (if not the world)—and Franklin is the winner of every major barbecue award there is. “I used to think Aaron Franklin was a genius: There was his rise from backyard dabbler to king of Texas pitmasters; his mind-altering brisket that made normally rational people (myself included) wait hours for the chance to eat it; and his insistence that game-changing barbecue doesn’t come from miracles but rather elbow grease. And instead of just listing ingredients and rattling off generic recipes, these pages tell the story of a place and a barbecue tradition steeped in history. In it, he exposes the sacred insights of a top pitmaster—information that can otherwise only be learned from long nights spent staring at a fire, shovel in hand, constantly prodding and pinching your meat to figure out that ‘just perfect’ point of doneness.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He had a passion, he tinkered, he produced some really bad BBQ but persevered, he paid attention to the details, tweaked some to experiment, found out what worked and what didn't and then, over time, became an expert with a well-developed sense of intuition. The truth is that formula has worked for hundreds of people, great writers, radio hosts, businessmen, programmers and other professionals uses that exact same set of steps to become masters, read their biographies and listen to their interviews, it's the same story. It's hard work, it's not because Aaron uses pickle juice blessed by a New Orleans witch doctor during an eclipse as an injection precisely 14.373581 hours before it goes on the grill. You won't buy this book and then suddenly be able to cook the best BBQ on the planet, but you'll have a deeper understanding of the craft and you'll know where you should experiment and where you should learn from his mistakes."
"Franklin Barbecue: A Meat Smoking Manifesto. This is not a cookbook. ;) He walks you through the smoking of 4 meats, then goes on to recipes for a few sauces and a few sides."
"I found the two books contradicted each other fairly often, but "Meathead" had scientific data and analysis to back up his conclusions and recommendations."
"I smoked a brisket last weekend and it might not be his recipe or even come close to his recipe I tried my best."
"If you have the time to invest in a brisket, you have the time to invest in this book."
Best Cooking by Ingredient
Today, Franklin Barbecue has grown into the most popular, critically lauded, and obsessed-over barbecue joint in the country (if not the world)—and Franklin is the winner of every major barbecue award there is. “I used to think Aaron Franklin was a genius: There was his rise from backyard dabbler to king of Texas pitmasters; his mind-altering brisket that made normally rational people (myself included) wait hours for the chance to eat it; and his insistence that game-changing barbecue doesn’t come from miracles but rather elbow grease. And instead of just listing ingredients and rattling off generic recipes, these pages tell the story of a place and a barbecue tradition steeped in history. In it, he exposes the sacred insights of a top pitmaster—information that can otherwise only be learned from long nights spent staring at a fire, shovel in hand, constantly prodding and pinching your meat to figure out that ‘just perfect’ point of doneness.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He had a passion, he tinkered, he produced some really bad BBQ but persevered, he paid attention to the details, tweaked some to experiment, found out what worked and what didn't and then, over time, became an expert with a well-developed sense of intuition. The truth is that formula has worked for hundreds of people, great writers, radio hosts, businessmen, programmers and other professionals uses that exact same set of steps to become masters, read their biographies and listen to their interviews, it's the same story. It's hard work, it's not because Aaron uses pickle juice blessed by a New Orleans witch doctor during an eclipse as an injection precisely 14.373581 hours before it goes on the grill. You won't buy this book and then suddenly be able to cook the best BBQ on the planet, but you'll have a deeper understanding of the craft and you'll know where you should experiment and where you should learn from his mistakes."
"Franklin Barbecue: A Meat Smoking Manifesto. This is not a cookbook. ;) He walks you through the smoking of 4 meats, then goes on to recipes for a few sauces and a few sides."
"It is a great book on how Aaron Franklin does his BBQ, his history and the path of an individual to obtain goals."
"Not a ton of recipes but so much information on technique, philosophy, food prep, seasoning, equipment and smoke it will make your head spin."
"I have followed his instruction for brisket to the letter and even though I've never eaten at Franklin Barbecue (yet), it was the best brisket I had ever eaten."
"I bought this as a gift for my BBQ smoker friend."
"Giving the reasons to why makes it a truly helpful book for learning the art of BBQ."
"If you want to try something totally simple, yet totally awesome, try cooking beef ribs first if anything else -- it's simple and just pain good."
Best Barbecuing & Grilling
Today, Franklin Barbecue has grown into the most popular, critically lauded, and obsessed-over barbecue joint in the country (if not the world)—and Franklin is the winner of every major barbecue award there is. “I used to think Aaron Franklin was a genius: There was his rise from backyard dabbler to king of Texas pitmasters; his mind-altering brisket that made normally rational people (myself included) wait hours for the chance to eat it; and his insistence that game-changing barbecue doesn’t come from miracles but rather elbow grease. And instead of just listing ingredients and rattling off generic recipes, these pages tell the story of a place and a barbecue tradition steeped in history. In it, he exposes the sacred insights of a top pitmaster—information that can otherwise only be learned from long nights spent staring at a fire, shovel in hand, constantly prodding and pinching your meat to figure out that ‘just perfect’ point of doneness.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He had a passion, he tinkered, he produced some really bad BBQ but persevered, he paid attention to the details, tweaked some to experiment, found out what worked and what didn't and then, over time, became an expert with a well-developed sense of intuition. The truth is that formula has worked for hundreds of people, great writers, radio hosts, businessmen, programmers and other professionals uses that exact same set of steps to become masters, read their biographies and listen to their interviews, it's the same story. It's hard work, it's not because Aaron uses pickle juice blessed by a New Orleans witch doctor during an eclipse as an injection precisely 14.373581 hours before it goes on the grill. You won't buy this book and then suddenly be able to cook the best BBQ on the planet, but you'll have a deeper understanding of the craft and you'll know where you should experiment and where you should learn from his mistakes."
"It is a great book on how Aaron Franklin does his BBQ, his history and the path of an individual to obtain goals."
"Not a ton of recipes but so much information on technique, philosophy, food prep, seasoning, equipment and smoke it will make your head spin."
"I have followed his instruction for brisket to the letter and even though I've never eaten at Franklin Barbecue (yet), it was the best brisket I had ever eaten."
"I bought this as a gift for my BBQ smoker friend."
"Giving the reasons to why makes it a truly helpful book for learning the art of BBQ."
"If you want to try something totally simple, yet totally awesome, try cooking beef ribs first if anything else -- it's simple and just pain good."
"I live in Austin, have eaten at Franklin BBQ, and grew up in Central Texas with a father who builds his own BBQ pits. This book is fantastic."
Best Game Cooking
This invaluable book includes. • recommendations on what equipment you will need—and what you can do without—from clothing to cutlery to camping gear to weapons. • basic and advanced hunting strategies, including spot-and-stalk hunting, ambush hunting, still hunting, drive hunting, and backpack hunting. • how to effectively use decoys and calling for big game. • how to find hunting locations, on both public and private land, and how to locate areas that other hunters aren’t using. • how and when to scout hunting locations for maximum effectiveness. • basic information on procuring hunting tags, including limited-entry “draw” tags. • a species-by-species description of fourteen big-game animals, from their mating rituals and preferred habitats to the best hunting techniques—both firearm and archery—for each species. • how to plan and pack for backcountry hunts. • instructions on how to break down any big-game animal and transport it from your hunting site. • how to butcher your own big-game animals and select the proper cuts for sausages, roasts, and steaks, and how to utilize underappreciated cuts such as ribs and shanks. • cooking techniques and recipes, for both outdoor and indoor preparation of wild game. Steven Rinella is the author of Meat Eater: Adventures from the Life of an American Hunter, American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon, and The Scavenger’s Guide to Haute Cuisine.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was blown away with the detailed, even scientific approach to hunting big game animals."
"Unparalleled intro to Big Game hunting, especially those looking to get into US Western pursuits or looking for a refresher/new perspective."
"As a noob and looking to get my feet wet in hunting this book is very informational yet well organized so it's not overwhelming."
"I recommend this book to anyone interested in hunting."
"As a hunter (and MeatEater fan) I was already familiar with some of the hunting concepts and the guest authors in the book and this helped to further that knowledge."
"This book breaks down hunting into three parts - gear, the hunt and cooking."
"Lots of general info but covers a lot of material including recipes and I like cooking more than gutting wild game."
"I enjoy watching his shows as well as reading his books."
Best Hunting
This invaluable book includes. • recommendations on what equipment you will need—and what you can do without—from clothing to cutlery to camping gear to weapons. • basic and advanced hunting strategies, including spot-and-stalk hunting, ambush hunting, still hunting, drive hunting, and backpack hunting. • how to effectively use decoys and calling for big game. • how to find hunting locations, on both public and private land, and how to locate areas that other hunters aren’t using. • how and when to scout hunting locations for maximum effectiveness. • basic information on procuring hunting tags, including limited-entry “draw” tags. • a species-by-species description of fourteen big-game animals, from their mating rituals and preferred habitats to the best hunting techniques—both firearm and archery—for each species. • how to plan and pack for backcountry hunts. • instructions on how to break down any big-game animal and transport it from your hunting site. • how to butcher your own big-game animals and select the proper cuts for sausages, roasts, and steaks, and how to utilize underappreciated cuts such as ribs and shanks. • cooking techniques and recipes, for both outdoor and indoor preparation of wild game. Steven Rinella is the author of Meat Eater: Adventures from the Life of an American Hunter, American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon, and The Scavenger’s Guide to Haute Cuisine.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was blown away with the detailed, even scientific approach to hunting big game animals."
"Unparalleled intro to Big Game hunting, especially those looking to get into US Western pursuits or looking for a refresher/new perspective."
"As a noob and looking to get my feet wet in hunting this book is very informational yet well organized so it's not overwhelming."
"I recommend this book to anyone interested in hunting."
"As a hunter (and MeatEater fan) I was already familiar with some of the hunting concepts and the guest authors in the book and this helped to further that knowledge."
"This book breaks down hunting into three parts - gear, the hunt and cooking."
"Lots of general info but covers a lot of material including recipes and I like cooking more than gutting wild game."
"I enjoy watching his shows as well as reading his books."
Best Cooking, Food & Wine Reference
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 Performing Arts
Miranda, along with Jeremy McCarter, a cultural critic and theater artist who was involved in the project from its earliest stages--"since before this was even a show," according to Miranda--traces its development from an improbable performance at the White House to its landmark opening night on Broadway six years later. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Book, Music, and Lyrics/Alexander Hamilton) is the Tony and Grammy award-winning composer-lyricist-star of Broadway's In the Heights --winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Orchestrations, and Best Choreography with Miranda receiving the award for Best Score.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've read the Chernow biography, listened to the cast recording non-stop (ha) since September, and been an avid follower of Lin's tweets, Facebook posts, interviews, #Ham4Ham shows, and Genius annotations. Among other delights, it includes: the full libretto of this sung-through (and rapped-through) show, with extensive annotations from LMM that give new insights, meaning, and historical context to the words that you might already know by heart; more than 30 essays about the cast members, the production team, the creative process, and the facts of Hamilton's life; copies of relevant historical documents referenced in the show; pages from LMM's notebooks with early drafts and outlines; and a stunningly beautiful array of production photographs, cast portraits, and backstage candids. There is the American Revolution that is brought to life in this show, and there is the revolution of the show itself - "a musical that changes the way that Broadway sounds, that alters who gets to tell the story of our founding, that lets us glimpse the new, more diverse America rushing our way.""
"Giddy with excitement, I pulled back the packaging tab and inside was this glorious tome. Looking forward to enveloping myself in this Hamilton word and pictures story, that is until I actually get to see the show... A girl can dream :-). Edited to add: and the dream is almost a reality... Used this gorgeous book to deliver surprise tickets to my niece who turned 18 today."
"It's not a love that's died down over the past few weeks - indeed, it's only continued to grow - so it's no surprise that I picked up Hamilton: A Revolution, which tells the story of the writing of the musical, as well as providing Miranda's annotations for all of the show's songs and lyrics. The fact that the book alternates between short essays and songs from the show allows the pictures to nicely complement the text at all times, giving the reader a sense of how the show might play out, and giving us the chance to pair images with the songs that so many of us already know by heart. More than that, though, they give you a sense of the care that went into the staging of the show; from the set to the costuming, from the insanely detailed props to the intricate stage layout, the book conveys the fact that the show is every bit as carefully crafted and intricately constructed as the album and the songs. Even with all the time I've spent on Genius reading the show's annotations can't replace the glee of reading the lyrics in a beautifully made book, and getting to savor all of Miranda's wonderful prose - the wordplay, the historical allusions, the shout-outs to old school rap and Broadway staples, all of it."
"It is not in Kindle format; it's just photocopies of double columned pages that doesn't fit the screen and is very hard to read."
Best Parody
" Go the F*** to Sleep challenges stereotypes, opens up prototypes, and acknowledges that shared sense of failure that comes to all parents who weary of ever getting their darling(s) to sleep and briefly resuming the illusion of a life of their own." Seriously, Just Go to Sleep, a children's book inspired by Go the F*** to Sleep and appropriate for kids of all ages, is also available, as well as Seriously, You Have to Eat for finicky ones everywhere! Adam Mansbach's novels include The End of the Jews, winner of the California Book Award, and the best-selling Angry Black White Boy, a San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of 2005.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I was shocked to find that some reviewers, apparently completely forgot to read the title of the book before purchasing. For those parents who do have a sense of humor and who may not find profanity particularly offensive and who live in the real world. It's real, overworked, frustrated beyond belief, about to loose your mind at 3am, inner parent monologue. Samuel L. Jackson should narrate a book for every single stage of life, from being born to the grave. This book is one that will be shared from one exhausted, fed up, delusional, red eyed, sleep deprived parent to another."
"I purchased this book as a 21st birthday gift for my best friend."
"If you have a child that fights sleep, this book may be for you."
"Then they said their baby wouldn't need it - that they knew how to make babies sleep really well."
"Nor should you purchase this book if you do not have a sense of humor."
"I gave this book to my best friend who is due any day now and she could not stop laughing."
"If you have had children, you have said and or thought what is written in this book."
"It is cleverly written in a tone that only the most desperately tired mom or dad could understand."
Best Main Courses & Side Dishes
With its warm, edgy humor, outstanding vocal cast, and signature musical numbers, Bob’s Burgers has become one of the most acclaimed and popular animated series on television, winning the 2014 Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program and inspiring a hit ongoing comic book and original sound track album. "Now fans can get the ultimate Bob’s Burgers experience at home with seventy-five straight from the show but actually edible Burgers of the Day. "[ The Bob’s Burgers Burger Book ] offers more than 70 recipes based on the puns from the show, often paired with cartoons featuring the characters interpreting the themes of the burgers. …The Bob’s Burgers Burger Book is what a good media tie-in should be . [ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book ] is a real cookbook that should inspire you to do some real cooking. [ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book ] is an absolute must for any culinary inclined Bob's Burgers fan ." "Now anyone can create their own Burger of the Day from the award-winning show, Bob's Burgers . "With colorful character illustrations, easy to follow directions and recipes like 'Bleu is the Warmest Cheese Burger,' 'Bruschetta-Bout-It Burger' and 'I Know Why the Cajun Burger Sings,' [ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book ] is half cookbook, half memorabilia and 100 percent bad dad joke ." Even if it does, you can make all of Bob's recipes yourself from The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers ." "[ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book is] dedicated to recipes inspired by the puckish imaginary names given to Burgers of the Day in the Fox animated series 'Bob's Burgers,' featuring burger-slinging Bob Belcher and his family trying to run a mom-and-pop fast-food operation. The Bob's Burgers Burger Book manages to do just tha t, probably because it was written by creator Loren Bouchard and the writers of the Fox cartoon, which centers around the adventures of a family that runs a small-town burger restaurant. " The Bob’s Burgers Burger Book gives hungry fans their best chance to eat one of Bob Belcher’s beloved specialty Burgers of the Day in seventy-five original, practical recipes . Serve the 'Sweaty Palms Burger (comes with Hearts of Palm)' to your ultimate crush, just like Tina Belcher, or ponder modern American literature with the 'I Know Why the Cajun Burger Sings Burger.'. Featuring 75 original recipes and illustrated in the style of the show, [ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book ] compiles recipes from blog 'The Bob's Burgers Experiment,' including the Bleu is the Warmest Cheese Burger, the Bruschetta-Bout-It Burger and more." "The recipes in [ The Bob's Burgers Burger Book ] are easy to follow and delicious!
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This cookbook is better than it has any right to beef."
"It's a book of puns, and there are a few burgers in here to try, but basically it's just a funny book to leave lying around."
"This is an adorable little cook book full of lots of interesting ideas for different ways to make hamburgers."
"Unfortunately, I bought this as a gift so I have not gotten the full benefits of this cook book."
"Bought as a birthday gift for a friend and to amp u p their grilling season."
"Excellent book with fun recipes and calls to jokes on the show, it's definitely for fans of the series above all."
"Bought for a gift and the recipient loved it!"
"I am extremely excited to try out these recipes."
Best Agricultural Science
How to make homemade mac 'n' cheese that is as satisfyingly gooey and velvety-smooth as the blue box stuff, but far tastier? In hundreds of easy-to-make recipes with over 1,000 full-color images, you will find out how to make foolproof Hollandaise sauce in just two minutes, how to transform one simple tomato sauce into a half dozen dishes, how to make the crispiest, creamiest potato casserole ever conceived, and much more. “[Kenji] approaches recipe development with monomaniacal zeal, then shares the delicious results with the infectious enthusiasm of the coolest teacher you had in high school.”. - The Globe and Mail.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon""The Food Lab" by Lopez-Alt is a dense collection of science based tips, explanations, techniques, and recipes for the home cook. I really like the way this book has been laid out: - The introduction is a modest overview of the author and his background followed by some really helpful information on equipment (such as an explanation on techniques for holding knives, how heat transfers through metal for consideration in what type of pan to use, essential equipment to have in your kitchen, and how to store and organize your fridge and pantry). * Cooked Vegetables has a great range of side dishes such as Brussels sprouts, Mexican street corn salad, roasted cauliflower, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and quite a few more recipes. Recipes in this chapter include mac 'n' cheese, risotto, linguine with clams, lasagna, and spaghetti. - The front and back book covers insides have conversion tables to be opened or flipped to quickly as a reference."
"And this book is great, and beautiful, full of photos, his great sense of humor, and excellent instructions. I was just hoping to see more of that type of food, whereas this book is targeted towards beginners (not to say that experienced cooks can't get value out of this book, because it's full of great info) or more specifically, towards people who haven't been reading his column all this time. Though in the meanwhile, there are already recipes I've got bookmarked to try out, like his puttanesca, pot roast, oven fries, THAT MEATLOAF, not to mention his excellent egg salad, which I've previously made from the site…. I'm so glad to be able to pay Kenji back in some form for the years of free content on Serious Eats and I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in cooking and improving their skills, in particular beginner cooks."
"Like most cookbooks today, it begins with a background of the author, who is an MIT grad turned culinary scientist. There are some things which go contrary to cooking norms (flip your steak often, and searing does not lock in juice), but there are explanations for the methods behinds the madness. Even if you never bother to make a recipe from this book verbatim, it will greatly increase your cooking skills from practical knowledge of physics, chemistry, taste, and technique."