Why Read This Blog

Because I hope to save you some time and money and lead you to some great new recipes for your repetoire.

I’m starting this blog for several reasons but primarily I’m tired of reading reviews of cookbooks that talk about the photography, the stories behind the recipes, the author, the clarity of instruction, the table of contents, the index, the glossary blah blah blah but never mention whether the recipes actually work or taste good. I understand that most book reviewers are set up to read books and write about them; they do not have the time or ability to test recipes. And yet, I think most of us buy cookbooks in order to make dinner, right?  It’s like writing a restaurant review after walking into a restaurant, observing the decor, reviewing the menu, and then leaving.

I also want to stay out of a cooking rut by forcing myself to try new recipes more consistently. I want to feed my family home-made meals that are attainable with a full-time job and my inherent resistance to running all over town in search of specific or obscure ingredients. While most of my meals are week-night dinners and, as such, are subject to the obvious time and space constraints, I will also happily spend a day or a weekend in my kitchen making something truly special or making something for someone truly special. As I often say by way of explaining why I will stand on my feet in my kitchen all day: food is my golf. And there must be others out there like me. If not in exactly the same place, gastronomically speaking, perhaps they will just enjoying reading a “real” review of the latest, hottest, biggest, glossiest cookbooks around.

My plan is to take one book and cook a fair number of the recipes (or as many as I can get to in a reasonable amount of time). My criteria for chosing books is less than scientific: I’m going to chose books that excite me or that I think many people will be curious about. I’m going to try to make my reviews seasonal and I will do my best to make the recipe exactly as written.

Thanks for stopping by!  Tell your friends!