Current favorite cookbooks
+ a recipe & very brief writing break
Happy Sunday! I'm taking a very brief break from writing to focus on recipe testing and planning for spring/summer projects. As part of my recipe research, I've been diving into my cookbook collection for inspiration and would love to share some recommendations.
The links for online ordering will be included, but I encourage you to check out your local bookshop first.
A Work in Progress: A Journal - René Redzepi
A Journal offers an in-depth account of the creative processes at Noma, including the challenges encountered by the chefs throughout a twelve-month period. I find the detailed accounts of recipe development and candid reflections on the challenges of working with local seasonal ingredients particularly fascinating.
"Without the ache of a long day’s physical work I don’t know any chef who doesn’t feel an anxious guilt. Pounding on a keyboard or going into meetings doesn’t feel like actual work; when I’m getting callouses and blisters or when my bones are aching, that’s when I feel satisfied.”- René Redzepi
Manu: Recipes and Stories from My Brazil - Manoella Buffara
‘‘This book contains a patchwork of essays that offers a glimpse into my story: my journey, with its genesis in Brazilian heritage; the people who’ve had the greatest impact on my career and success; the adversities that come with building a dream; and the guiding principles for my restaurant today.’’ - Manoella Buffara
Brutto: A (simple) Florentine cookbook - Russell Norman
Unlike some of the cookbooks on this list that favor advanced techniques more often used in restaurants, this cookbook is ideal for the home cook. The late Chef Russell Norman’s highly anticipated sequel to his award-winning and bestselling "Polpo" features a collection of simple and truly wonderful Florentine recipes. You'll want to make every single thing in this book, I know I do.
‘‘I loved the Italian expression brutto ma buono - ‘ugly but good’. It’s a phrase that is often used to describe the sort of cooking you might find in a family home, prepared lovingly by a grandmother, rough around the edges, unreconstructed on the plate, scant attention to fancy presentation and prettiness, but, my god, does it taste good….’’ - Russell Norman
Alinea - Grant Achatz
While I could go on and on about Chef Grant Achatz’s brilliance, I'll keep it succinct for now. Chef Grant is one of the most remarkable and unique chefs of our time. If you're contemplating buying just one of these books, let it be this one; every page is filled with unbelievably brilliant and surprising flavor combinations and techniques. Even the most committed fine-dining skeptic will find themselves utterly captivated by this culinary masterpiece.
Hold on, I’m doing it again, aren’t I? I’m writing. I must exercise a little self control. Okay, fine, quick fire round of recommendations below!
Manresa: An Edible Reflection - David Kinch
The French Laundry Cookbook - Thomas Keller
The Flavor Matrix - James Briscione & Brooke Parkhurst
Old World Italian - Mimi Thorisson
Eleven Madison Park - Daniel Humm & Will Guidara
Before I return to the kitchen. The other day, I shared what I deemed a rather trivial video on social media featuring my "tiramisu drawer." In need of a temporary storage solution amidst a refrigerator overflowing with recipe tests, I drew inspiration from Onda Pasta Bar's innovative approach and used a drawer in my refrigerator to house a large pan of brown butter cookie tiramisu.
To my surprise, the video racked up millions of views?! While some viewers fixated on my lisp (which I found rather odd), others seemed more concerned that the tiramisu might "taste like fridge."
Most notably, however, I was inundated with requests for the brown butter tiramisu recipe with some viewers even using CAPITALS to emphasize the urgency of their request. Well, who could ignore such enthusiasm? So, here is the link to the recipe. Just a heads up: making this recipe is a labor of love, but as with any endeavor, I reckon the final outcome justifies the effort.
See you back here next week friends!
Exotic collection of books! Thank you Sarah.