The New Cooking School Cookbook
Master home cooking with America’s Test Kitchen’s tested techniques and recipes.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- Essential techniques for modern cooking
- Science-based cooking methods
- Step-by-step instructional guide
- Recipes tested for reliability
- Tips for kitchen equipment and ingredients
- Photographic visuals to aid learning
- Culinary principles for home cooks
key point 1 of 7
Essential techniques for modern cooking
The New Cooking School Cookbook unfolds the essential techniques required for modern cooking, emphasizing the importance of understanding fundamental skills. It advocates for a foundational approach, where grasping the basics is seen as the key to culinary success. The book underscores the idea that modern cooking is not about strict adherence to recipes, but about having the confidence and knowledge to adapt and create dishes based on technique and available ingredients…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 7
Science-based cooking methods
The science-based cooking methods presented in the book emphasize understanding the ‘why’ behind cooking processes, which can be transformational for home chefs. The book explains how heat affects proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in different ways, resulting in various textures and flavors. For instance, it delves into the Maillard reaction, a chemical process that occurs when proteins and sugars in food are exposed to heat, leading to the browning and development of complex flavors. By learning about these reactions, cooks can better control the outcomes of their dishes…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 7
Step-by-step instructional guide
The New Cooking School Cookbook provides a comprehensive step-by-step instructional guide aiming to teach readers the fundamentals of cooking. The guide is meticulously structured to ensure that even beginners can follow along. Starting with an introduction to kitchen tools and equipment, it delves into the importance of understanding what each utensil is for and how to use them efficiently. The book emphasizes the necessity of having the right tool for the right job to make the cooking process smoother and more enjoyable…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 7
Recipes tested for reliability
The recipes in the cookbook are meticulously tested to ensure reliability and reproducibility. This rigorous testing process involves preparing the dishes multiple times under different conditions to simulate the variety of home kitchen environments. The goal is to confirm that the recipes will yield consistent results for cooks of varying skill levels, with different equipment, and using ingredients available from various sources…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 7
Tips for kitchen equipment and ingredients
High-quality kitchen equipment is essential for efficiency and precision in cooking. The book emphasizes investing in a few versatile pieces, rather than cluttering the kitchen with gadgets. A sharp chef’s knife, for example, can accomplish most cutting tasks better than a collection of lesser knives. The importance of a heavy, oven-proof skillet is highlighted for its ability to sear, bake, and fry with equal adeptness. The author recommends cast iron or stainless steel for their durability and even heat distribution. Additionally, a large cutting board, mixing bowls, and a set of measuring cups and spoons are considered indispensable for everyday cooking tasks…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 7
Photographic visuals to aid learning
The book uses high-quality, step-by-step photographic visuals to guide readers through cooking techniques. Each technique is illustrated with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that readers can see the subtle nuances that might be missed in a purely textual description. For instance, when explaining how to properly dice an onion, the book provides a series of images showing the knife positions, the slicing motion, and the resulting onion dices from multiple angles…Read&Listen More
key point 7 of 7
Culinary principles for home cooks
The author emphasizes the importance of understanding foundational culinary principles as a means to achieving consistent and successful results in the kitchen. Instead of relying solely on step-by-step recipes, the book encourages home cooks to grasp the ‘whys’ behind cooking processes. By doing so, cooks can make informed decisions when they deviate from recipes, adjust flavors to their preference, or troubleshoot when things don’t go as planned. This approach to cooking is likened to learning a language, where once the basics are mastered, one can begin to ‘speak’ fluently in the kitchen, expressing creativity and personal taste…Read&Listen More