Cook This Book: Techniques That Teach and Recipes to Repeat: A Cookbook

There are things I love about this book and things I do not, but the positives so outweigh the negatives that I had to give it 5 stars. First, the good things, then the "eh" part... ++ the good ++ What I love is how complete the book is. It includes things that aren't often found in cookbooks, like how the brain perceives flavors and how to balance those perceived flavors to the max. Nothing gets too science-y, but there is just enough to deepen an understanding about the importance of understanding how flavors work together and how to build on that knowledge for maximum flavor benefit. The recipes are fairly easy, very doable, and really, really good. There are a few that seem like - why? - such as the Minimalist Wedge as if a classic Wedge isn't minimalist enough. (Unlike the classic Wedge, this one has a ranch-y dressing instead of blue cheese and is showered with garlic-y toasted panko crumbs instead of bacon - neither of which would fly with any classic Wedge-lover I know.) Even though that particular recipe is a miss, imo, it sort of illustrates what this book is all about - everything is just a little more or different than it initially might seem to be, and mostly successfully so. Within the recipes are QR codes that access videos on the author's site. The videos are thankfully only as long as they need to be and show cooking techniques that are much better learned by watching than by reading about. This is a really great aspect of this book. The pictures look as though they have had Instagram's retro-faded-look Nashville filter applied. There are photos of every recipe and my finished dishes have mostly looked liked the photos - possibly because of that filter? - but that's always a very satisfying event, whatever the reason. I've loved all of the recipes I've chosen to make so far (of course, I didn't choose to make any that didn't naturally appeal to me). Among those are: — Cold & Crunchy Green Beans with Garlicky Pistachio Vinaigrette - great flavor/texture combo — Caramelized Fennel with Parmy [sic] Frico - if you love fennel as I do, this is amazing. I find myself craving this dish every time I think about it. I've made this twice already — Jammy Pepps [sic] with Feta and Basil - the sweet/salty of this is so yummy — Smoked Trout Dip with Potato C's [sic] & Salmon Roe - no one could get enough of this — Roasted Salmon with Marinated Olives & Potato Chips - this is my favorite way to prepare salmon (owing to Samin Nosrat, tbh) and the chips add an element that my family thought was both hilarious and tasty — Strip Steaks au Poivre - haven't made this in forever and making it made me really sorry about missing out for so long Based on those forays, I just might cook my way through this whole book - something that I have almost, but not quite ever done with any other cookbook. -- the less good -- -- Serving suggestions for side dishes would have been great. It's so helpful when chefs include them, so I wish she had. -- The design of the book did not strike me as being ebook-friendly. The many spreads that are nothing more than big graphic type made me opt for the print version over the kindle one. -- Additionally, there is a feeling that the author is trying too hard to be hip or edgy or something and those instances can be pretty cringe. There are lots of shortened food words (as seen in the above recipe titles) and many mostly gratuitous swear words (although not as many as Thug Kitchen's). It's a shame since 98% of what the author writes is really quite engaging. -- The author writes as if the user of the book is already clued into her, her cooking style and her personal preferences, but I think this book is so good that it should have appeal far beyond her immediate fan base. The bottom line is that minuses are all pretty much stylistic and not related to the results gotten from the recipes, which far outweigh everything else. I highly recommend this book for the recipes and for learning how to be a better cook... but with the caveats mentioned above that I know some people will find more annoying than others .

Love this book! Holy cow—the recipes are so unique and delicious and incredibly easy to follow. I used this book as part of my cookbook club and it was a hit. It would also make an amazing gift!

Hands down one of the best cookbooks I’ve ever used. The format of the recipes is so easy to read and it comes with so many useful tips. Perfect for seasoned cooks and newbies alike. Every recipe we’ve tried has been a hit.

Great cookbook! Beautiful photos and easy-to-follow recipes. I have already made about 5 of these recipes, and ALL of them have been a hit! I would gift this book to any cooking lover or keep it for my personal cookbook collection. Essential for every kitchen!

Molly is incredible! I cook from the book so often. Her recipes are easy to read and they are absolutely delicious

Love how Molly organizes the ingredient lists and includes the ingredient amounts within the recipe itself so you don’t have to glance back and forth between instructions and ingredient list. The QR codes linking to videos are great. Some recipes seem too simplistic to bother needing a recipe but if you’re a beginner cook, I guess that could be useful for you. Overall though, it’s a great addition to my collection of cookbooks and has some bangers in recipes!

My adult daughter is determined to learn to cook and requested this book as a gift. She loves the explanations and demonstrations of cooking techniques she encounters in recipes she wants to make. A great tool for those who want to learn!

Dear Molly, what can I say? I (we) love your work and this BOOKKKKKK!!! My husband and I have loved cooking for ourselves & guests from this book over and over again! NONE of these recipes miss, and I have enjoyed cooking from it so much that I have gifted it to three other couples (check that order history Jeffrey Bezos) and recommended it to countless people every time I post a pic of our cooked recipes. Honestly, would love to collect my $.05 royalties at this point. Just kidding (but not really?) had to shoot my shot. Love the thoughtful tips and tricks throughout the book as well as bringing a cookbook to our tech century with QR codes for reference. My husband and I LOVE cooking together, for one another and others and this cook book has given us so much joy in addition to delicious meals (and extra lbs). Happy to cook from it and happy to gift it to people with all ranges of cooking confidence levels. Thanks, Molly!

Un llibre meravellós, inspirador, amb receptes fresques modernes i senzilles a la vegada.

Thank you for making this beautiful cookbook! Can't wait to start cooking.

This cookbook is FANTASTIC! I've never heard of Molly Baz but this book kept coming up as a recommendation. I finally purchased it a little while ago and wow, I am blown away with her recipes! I've made about 4 or so recipes so far and each one has been absolutely delicious and easy enough to make. She walks you through each step, offers tips and tricks which is super helpful for people not comfortable enough in the kitchen. Some of the recipes have ingredients that make you scratch your head because you think, this can't possibly be yummy, but holy heck, she knows how to put 2 and 2 together. The flavors JUST WORK! If she ever comes up with another book, I will be pre-ordering it FOR SURE! This cookbook is great for people who know their way around a kitchen and newbies alike. There are an excellent variety of recipes and all the flavors will just make your mouth and tummy so happy.

Un libro veramente bello esteticamente, bella grafica e belle foto e le ricette sembrano buonissime. Al momento abbiamo provato solamente i cornetti con il pistacchio!

This is honestly such a gem of a cookbook and something that not only looks great, but is super practical and geared towards advancing even the most basic of home cooks' skills (like me).