Food52: Simply Genius

  I received a copy of this release from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Food52 Simply Genius: Recipes for Beginners, Busy Cooks & Curious People

Author: Kristen Miglore

Publisher: Ten Speed Press

Release Date: 9.27.22

Publisher’s Summary 

100 of Food52's simplest, most rule-breaking recipes yet to help beginners and other time-strapped cooks build confidence in the kitchen, from the IACP Award-winning, New York Timesbestselling Genius series.

There's no better way to learn how to make great food than to stand at the elbow of a skilled cook, ask questions, and watch their every move. In Simply Genius, Food52 founding editor and Genius Recipes columnist Kristen Miglore gives you access to genius cooks like Samin Nosrat (Buttermilk-Marinated Roast Chicken), Dr. Jessica B. Harris (Mayonnaise d'Avocat), Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi (Roasted Butternut Squash & Red Onion with Tahini & Za'atar), Gonzalo Guzmán (Frijoles Negros de la Olla), Leah Chase (Rice Pancakes with Ham & Tomato-Basil Sauce), Heidi Swanson (Farro & Olive Salad), Jacques Pépin (Fresh Tomato Sauce), and more, as they share their brilliant cooking tips through a collection of essential recipes.

Miglore packs the book with helpful visuals (like brilliant doneness charts for everything from chicken to eggs to cake), illustrated step-by-step diagrams to show you smarter ways to prep (handling hot chiles, neatly separating eggs, tricking herbs into staying fresh), and myth-busting truths that make cooking so much more welcoming (no, you don't have to soak your beans before you cook them; no, you don't have to soften butter to make chocolate chip cookies).

Primers on common woes and how to fix them tell you how to rescue your dinner when things go wrong, and how to make sure everything's smoother next time. And once you get a recipe down, Miglore shares 3 More Ways to use that new technique to make even more rewarding meals. More than 150 recipes and variations teach you building blocks, fit easily into your life, and prove that all of us can become genius cooks when we have the right teachers.

My Review

This cookbook is a total 5-star rockstar. 

Just like the title says, this cookbook is perfect for beginners and any level of cook looking for tips and tricks. There are pages of "how to fix something that went wrong" woes, like common problems when preparing fried eggs, salads, dried beans, and more. I want photos to accompany every recipe in a cookbook and not only does this collection include those, but often there are multiple photos focusing on crucial steps (noodles softening, what the rice should look like between steps, how to cook safely with chicken, etc.) In terms of aesthetic design, layout, and ease of use, this cookbook hits all the notes. I especially love the mix of tightly styled recipes with the addition of handwritten notes and illustrations. The recipes themselves are simple but creative creations that have been tweaked into perfection by modern chefs and home cooks. I am going to try Lindsay Maitland Hunt's "Slow-Roasted Chicken with Extra-Crisp Skin (aka Chicken for Today)" and Molly Yeh's "Roasted Potatoes with Paprika Mayo" ASAP. But first I'm trying Ritu and Priya Krishna's "The Most Basic Dal" to celebrate the official arrival of autumn aka soup season! I HIGHLY recommend Food52 Simply Genius! You need a copy on your kitchen shelf and you'll want to gift this one to all the cooks in your life.