Our Cookbook of the Week: Mastering My Mistakes in the Kitchen
Yahoo Food’s Cookbook of the Week: Mastering My Mistakes in the Kitchen: Learning to Cook with 65 Great Chefs and Over 100 Delicious Recipes (Ecco)
The Team: Food & Wine magazine editor-in-chief Dana Cowin; writer Julia Turshen; photographer John Kernick; 65 of the greatest chefs in the world.
The Idea: Cowin may have a discerning palate, but she’s not a great cook, which she reveals in this book. Why is she okay with informing the world of her flaws? Because she’s fixed them—or, rather, Mario Batali, David Chang, and 63 of the other best chefs in the world have fixed them—over the years through her job as the head of one of America’s best food magazines. Now she’s sharing what she learned from all of the masters.
Who Should Buy It: Anyone who’s a novice behind the stove and wants to start out on the right, expertly guided, foot.
Who Shouldn’t: Those who already have mastery over the kitchen. (This might be a little basic for you guys.)
Must-Make Recipes: Jacques Pepin’s Plum Galette, Susan Feniger’s Salsamole, Dan Barber’s Spiced Creamed Spinach, Mario Batali’s Baked Ziti Arrabbiata, Kristen Kish’s Braised Chicken with Leeks, Mushrooms and Peas.
Noteworthy: In the forward to the book, Thomas Keller writes: “Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something. Try try try! I became who I am today because I believed in myself. I never gave up, I couldn’t and wouldn’t.” Words to live—and cook—by.
