Resources, Inspiration & Useful Links

How to Cook Everything

I loathe the New York Times recipes. Do the food writers there actually test the recipes they post? I'm really not sure since there are so many mistakes. However, Mark Bittman is the one lone exception; his recipes are clear and easy to follow, and they turn out just like they are supposed to. This cookbook, by Bittman, is my go-to standby. Just like the title says, this book will help you cook pretty much everything.

MarthaStewart.com

The Martha Stewart test kitchens can't be beat. Follow a recipe and you know the results will be really solid. Another thing I like is that the website often has three or four variations on a recipe (example: chocolate cupcakes). This allows you to pick and choose (or even blend) between the versions that most appeal to you. Visit the Site.

Cook's Illustrated

Just like the Bittman and Stewart recipes, a Cook's Illustrated recipe always comes out as planned. But CI provides an additional little twist: most recipes come with a detective story, the search for an elusive goal (example: roast chicken with a glazed but crispy skin) complete with failures, wrong turns, and finally, success. By the end, you'll have learned a bit about cooking fundamentals in addition to the particular recipe being discussed. Visit the Website.