The Cook's Book

Starred review from July 17, 2023
“I want to give you the recipes and skills you need in the kitchen in order to bring more people to your table–and to do it with confidence and joy,” writes Our Savory Life blogger McKoy (Come and Eat) in this indispensable guide to kitchen fundamentals. She shares detailed introductions to essential cooking tools, differentiating the pros and cons of common cookware (nonstick pans are easier to clean, but they don’t sear meat as well as stainless steel), and offers a handy checklist of staple ingredients, including baking powder and olive oil. In a conversational tone, she breaks down common techniques into easy-to-follow lessons that are paired with classic recipes: after learning how to deglaze sauté pans and thicken sauces, for example, readers will be well on their way to recreating McKoy’s extra-creamy chicken piccata. A crash course in common spices and herbs leads into McKoy showing how to pack flavor into dishes including Thai basil stir-fry and tamale casserole. Equally accessible are sections devoted to food and wine–pairing tips (fruity rosés work well with earthy and savory foods, such as mascarpone-stuffed mushrooms) and bar cart basics. The result is an excellent resource that budding home cooks will turn to time and again. Agent: Lisa Jackson, Alive Literary.