Cookbook of the Month – August 2017

No matter how long you’ve been cooking or whether just beginning to explore your culinary talents, sometimes you crave a new recipe or maybe update an old family favorite. Are you tired of the same old take-out? Should this be the case as I’ve been there so many times, I suggest browsing through the pages of my Cookbook of the Month – August 2017 recommendation, The Improvisational Cook by Sally Schneider.

I’ve been cooking in some way, shape or form over half my life and constantly learning. Can’t remember when cooking food wasn’t a part of my life. But like you I needed and had a need to understand the pairing and blending of flavors. Wanting to cook in the way of my Mom who seemed to never use a recipe, it was time to experiment with what was available to me. Starting with spices and herbs then vegetables to baking breads and sweets, the culinary world became an endless story to be told. My Cookbook of the Month – August 2017, The Improvisational Cook is the book to help you unfold and peel back the layers of what cooking in your own kitchen can be.

Cookbook of the Month – August 2017

First of all, I wish this book had been around some 30 years ago when I really got serious about the world of food. Since this cookbook has arrived I felt the need to share what I think is an easy to read guide on how to make spectacular meals for your family. It’s the perfect tool to help you start to improvise with recipes and cooking with what is on hand.

A basic recipe is just a means or guide to start cooking anything. When you’re short on time, forgot to visit the market or want a change, Cookbook of the Month – August 2017 is your cookbook. This cookbook will lead to more fun in the kitchen and creating snacks meals from leftovers. No more throwing away perfectly good food. Cooking allows you to develop an idea around flavors, gaining control over flavors and deciding what tastes good to you.

Cookbook of the Month – August 2017

The Improvisational Cook provides what Sally calls, “Logic of a recipe and its creative possibilities” and I agree. Sally also writes how to “embellish, adapt, change, alter and modify a recipe”. For instance, you made caramelized onions for burgers yet you can use leftovers for a fantastic onion dip the next day. No more throwing away food unnecessarily.

Each section in this cookbook contains an “understanding” paragraph explaining the recipes. Furthermore, you’ll find a section on basic techniques and preparations in addition to classic flavor categories and groups. The flavor groups are outlined by country and regions to help you understand where each flavor comes from. I still refer to this section quite often when creating new recipes because the information is so helpful.

Cookbook of the Month – August 2017

Find your own voice and style of cooking in your own kitchen. Do you like quick and easy or do you enjoy meals which take longer to prepare? You’ll find it all in The Improvisational Cook by Sally Schneider. Go ahead and take a look online or visit your local bookstore. I highly recommend this cookbook for mastering cooking with ease and imagination. Get those creative juices flowing and let your cooking become a new revelation with this IACP Cookbook Award Winner. A must have for your cookbook library.