regendanser's review
5.0
This was not a book I could read from front to back. That's because I feel like this book is mostly a reference book to give you ideas. I come to this book for inspiration, not for advise.
I check it when I'm tired of just strawberry icecream and want ideas for good flavorings. I looked into it when I tried to make kombucha from fennel tea which turned out pretty disgusting, so I wanted to try some flavorings to see if it could still be savoured.
Read in this way, by just reading what you need in short bursts, I think it's a lovely, helpful book with some surprising whit from the author. I just love the unsuspected phrases she uses like "pecans and walnuts are nearly always interchangeable, although pecans are sweeter, less bitter and easier to slide under doors" or "this might seem as incongruous as playing darts in a ballgown but the rich, meaty flavour of asparagus is, in fact, very good with penuts"
I check it when I'm tired of just strawberry icecream and want ideas for good flavorings. I looked into it when I tried to make kombucha from fennel tea which turned out pretty disgusting, so I wanted to try some flavorings to see if it could still be savoured.
Read in this way, by just reading what you need in short bursts, I think it's a lovely, helpful book with some surprising whit from the author. I just love the unsuspected phrases she uses like "pecans and walnuts are nearly always interchangeable, although pecans are sweeter, less bitter and easier to slide under doors" or "this might seem as incongruous as playing darts in a ballgown but the rich, meaty flavour of asparagus is, in fact, very good with penuts"
melsuds's review
5.0
yes, technically i have finished reading this, but i feel like it’s going to be on the roster forever. The FLAVOURS. the PAIRINGS. The RECIPES. i love that it’s not just description of flavours, it’s examples, it’s recipes, it’s ideas, it’s tips, tricks, books and restaurants to hit up if you travel. She’s funny, smart and honest.
francesmthompson's review
5.0
Beautifully assembled, fascinating to dip in and out of and truly inspiring and mind-opening for meal planning which has been ESSENTIAL in 2020.
rmtbray's review
5.0
A really interesting book, probably more one to keep on hand for reference rather than read straight through though. I love how un-patronising it is; this isn't a book for beginners, rather it assumes you have a certain level of cooking skill and gives ideas for incorporating new flavour ideas into your repertoire. Very very helpful for times when you have a few ingredients left over or needing using up and you aren't sure what to do with them, or just to give new ideas of ways to use a favourite ingredient - *cough* rhubarb and garlic *cough cough!*
georgehunter's review
1.0
Beautifully produced
Superficially "analytical" jizzfest for the university privileged set
In fact utterly conventional with nothing new to say
Value added: zero
But makes a beautiful gift and on your bookshelf makes you look like you may know about food or be creative in a certain way coveted by the university privileged set
About the author: "background in marketing." It shows.
Superficially "analytical" jizzfest for the university privileged set
In fact utterly conventional with nothing new to say
Value added: zero
But makes a beautiful gift and on your bookshelf makes you look like you may know about food or be creative in a certain way coveted by the university privileged set
About the author: "background in marketing." It shows.
sarahkomas's review
5.0
This is one of (if not the) best recipe books I've ever read (apart from maybe [b:Larousse Gastronomique: The World's Greatest Culinary Encyclopedia, Completely Revised and Updated|6375122|Larousse Gastronomique The World's Greatest Culinary Encyclopedia, Completely Revised and Updated|Larousse|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320548945s/6375122.jpg|801534] which everyone should also have). But then, the two complement each other: encyclopaedia and thesaurus. If ever I'm stuck for a flavour that will set off another flavour, this is the book to which I turn. It's also enjoyable just to read through and explore the recipes within. Must have been a joy to write, tasting all the different flavour combinations.
cherrycola's review
5.0
This book was such an interesting take on the cookbook, and I've already taken one of the many inventive suggestions within to make pork tenderloin rubbed with cumin and garlic. It was so good. This is the sort of instructive manual that encourages one to cook without a cookbook by building a base of knowledge on how flavors interact. Plus, the author is very charming. Definitely recommend to anyone interested in cooking.
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