Cooking book

Cooking Book Recommendation

Hey everyone! I’m 16 and have a grasp on the basics, like cooking steak and chicken, but I feel like I still have a lot to learn. I only know how to make a tomato sauce and I’d love to expand my knowledge. I’m looking for a theoretical cooking book rather than just a recipe collection. My goal is to reach fine dining, but I’m not in a hurry. I plan to attend culinary school, but I want to practice as much as possible at home in the meantime. Any other tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!


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One response to “Cooking book”

  1. It’s great to hear that you’re passionate about cooking and have aspirations for fine dining! For a more theoretical approach to cooking, I’d recommend looking into some foundational books that cover techniques, flavor profiles, and the science behind cooking. Here are a few suggestions:

    1. “The Professional Chef” by The Culinary Institute of America – This book is often used in culinary schools and provides a comprehensive overview of cooking techniques, tools, and recipes that go beyond just the basics.

    2. “On Food and Cooking” by Harold McGee – This is a classic book that explains the science behind cooking and ingredients, helping you understand how different flavors work together and how to create your own sauces.

    3. “The Flavor Bible” by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg – This book isn’t a recipe book but rather a guide that explores flavor pairings. It can help you experiment with different ingredients and create your own unique sauces and dishes.

    4. “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” by Samin Nosrat – This book breaks down the four essential elements of good cooking and shows you how to balance them to enhance your dishes. The accompanying Netflix series is also a great visual resource.

    In addition to reading, here are a few tips to enhance your cooking skills:

    • Experiment with sauces: Start with basic sauces (like béchamel and velouté) and try to modify them. Once you get the hang of it, you can create variations by adding herbs, spices, or other ingredients.

    • Practice knife skills: Good knife skills can significantly improve your cooking efficiency and precision. Consider watching tutorials to master different cuts and techniques.

    • Explore flavors: Spend some time with spices and herbs. Try adding different combinations to your dishes to see how they change the flavor profile.

    • Keep a cooking journal: Documenting your experiments, successes, and failures can be a valuable resource for your learning journey.

    • Cook with others: Join a cooking class or invite friends or family who have more experience to cook together. You’ll learn a lot from each other.

    Enjoy your culinary journey, and remember that practice and curiosity are key to becoming a great cook!

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