Michael Natkin

I am intimidated to cook these recipes, because the photography looks so amazing! There is not a picture for every recipe but nearly every single one, and each looks tempting (unlike some other recipes - even recipes with ingredients I don't like look good!). I am drooling over vegan and lacto-ovo vegetarian recipes (no pescitarian, sorry!) and am eager to try them.

This cookbook has a lot of the things I look for in a cookbook: pictures, readable instructions, well laid-out ingredients, cooking time, servings count (amount would be nice), introduction for recipes, notes, summary of times, educational sections and guidance in the margins. I appreciate that he labels vegan recipes (or convertible) or gluten-free options [but note that he has forgotten to put that label on a few recipes, so do not dismiss a recipe for lack of labeling]. From what I've read, the recipes seem accurate but what I trust even more that they have all been blog-tested (and if you think blog-readers won't comment, you'd be wrong).

And the few recipes I have tested have been a hit with my family. While I cannot seem to make them as fast - sometimes sauces just won't thicken until they've sat for an hour - they have been a success. My family loves that smokey Mac & Cheese.

One disappointment is that I did not find any commentary on make-ahead recipes, leftovers, portability, etc. I may have missed some, but it felt as if every recipe had to be made right before eating - save a few "make this recipe first to put in" meals. This does not mean I will not be cooking from this cookbook (just save for weekends until I am more familiar with it). Also, despite their readability, the recipes can be labour intensive or similarly finicky - I think these recipes might be too difficult for every day, but I am thinking of how that beauty and effort would be good for a dinner party or something special.

Overall, I am happy with my purchase and am looking forward to cooking with it. I appreciate that he has included a few menus organized around different themes as well, such as star ingredient (e.g. beans, pasta) or region (of course Mexican, but I love that he separated North and South Indian - yes, there is a difference). Despite a little intimidation to start, I know I will be dreaming of these recipes (you should see all my flags!) and will not be able to resist trying them!… (mehr)

I am intimidated to cook these recipes, because the photography looks so amazing! There is not a picture for every recipe but nearly every single one, and each looks tempting (unlike some other recipes - even recipes with ingredients I don't like look good!). I am drooling over vegan and lacto-ovo vegetarian recipes (no pescitarian, sorry!) and am eager to try them.

This cookbook has a lot of the things I look for in a cookbook: pictures, readable instructions, well laid-out ingredients, cooking time, servings count (amount would be nice), introduction for recipes, notes, summary of times, educational sections and guidance in the margins. I appreciate that he labels vegan recipes (or convertible) or gluten-free options [but note that he has forgotten to put that label on a few recipes, so do not dismiss a recipe for lack of labeling]. From what I've read, the recipes seem accurate but what I trust even more that they have all been blog-tested (and if you think blog-readers won't comment, you'd be wrong).

And the few recipes I have tested have been a hit with my family. While I cannot seem to make them as fast - sometimes sauces just won't thicken until they've sat for an hour - they have been a success. My family loves that smokey Mac & Cheese.

One disappointment is that I did not find any commentary on make-ahead recipes, leftovers, portability, etc. I may have missed some, but it felt as if every recipe had to be made right before eating - save a few "make this recipe first to put in" meals. This does not mean I will not be cooking from this cookbook (just save for weekends until I am more familiar with it). Also, despite their readability, the recipes can be labour intensive or similarly finicky - I think these recipes might be too difficult for every day, but I am thinking of how that beauty and effort would be good for a dinner party or something special.

Overall, I am happy with my purchase and am looking forward to cooking with it. I appreciate that he has included a few menus organized around different themes as well, such as star ingredient (e.g. beans, pasta) or region (of course Mexican, but I love that he separated North and South Indian - yes, there is a difference). Despite a little intimidation to start, I know I will be dreaming of these recipes (you should see all my flags!) and will not be able to resist trying them!… (mehr)