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Aida Mollenkamp's Keys to the Kitchen: The Essential Reference for Becoming a More Accomplished, Adventurous Cook [Hardcover]

Aida Mollenkamp , Alex Farnum
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

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Book Description

October 24, 2012
Food Network and Cooking Channel star Aida Mollenkamp lays an invaluable foundation for cooks in Keys to the Kitchen. This comprehensive manual collects more than 300 innovative, contemporary recipes as well as color photographs, plenty of informative illustrations, a substantial technique primer, and helpful how-to information on subjects as wide-ranging as rust removal, throwing a cocktail party, and knife skills. For members of the tech-savvy new generation who can't cook but want to, this essential reference guide makes an ideal starting place and for those already at ease in the kitchen it's full of "who knew" moments for expanding their repertoire of great recipes.

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Aida Mollenkamp's Keys to the Kitchen: The Essential Reference for Becoming a More Accomplished, Adventurous Cook + The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook + The Sprouted Kitchen: A Tastier Take on Whole Foods
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Featured Recipe: Broiled Swordfish with Pomegranate-Mint Agrodolce

Broiled Swordfish with Pomegranate-Mint Agrodolce

Agrodolce means "sweet-sour" in Italian and refers to a sauce with those predominant flavors. Normally made simply with onions, vinegar, and sugar, this one adds pomegranate, pine nuts, and mint for a more colorful—in both looks and flavor—version.

Difficulty: Easy

Yield: 4 servings

Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Hands-on time: 40 minutes

Takeaway: How to broil fish.

Recipe Within a Recipe: The agrodolce sauce can be used as a condiment for grilled meats, sandwiches, or on toasts with goat cheese as an impromptu appetizer.

Pomegranate-Mint Agrodolce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 lb/455 g shallots, halved and cut into 1-in/2.5-cm slices
  • 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup/240 ml red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup/120 ml apple juice
  • ¼ cup/50 g packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ cup/135 g pomegranate seeds
  • 1/3 cup/70 g toasted pine nuts
  • ¼ cup/55 g thinly sliced fresh mint leaves
  • Four swordfish steaks (about 2 lb/910 kg total)
For the Pomegranate-Mint Agrodolce

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add the shallots and garlic, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

Stir in the vinegar, juice, brown sugar, the 1 teaspoon salt, the ½ teaspoon pepper, and bay leaf. Decrease the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are very tender and the liquid is thick and syrupy, about 40 minutes. Stir in the pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, and mint. Season with salt and pepper.

For the broiled swordfish

Heat the broiler to high and arrange a rack 6 to 8 inches from the heating element. Pat the fish dry, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the fish under the broiler and cook until the fish is flaky, opaque throughout, and has a 135°F/57°C internal temperature, 8 to 12 minutes. Serve topped with agrodolce sauce.

Notes

Check out Seafood Watch online for current information about purchasing seafood.

When you add the vinegar to the agrodolce, open a window or turn on a fan because the vinegar fumes released may sting your eyes or make you cough.

The agrodolce can be made without the mint up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Heat over low heat before serving and stir in mint.

About the Author

Aida Mollenkamp is California-based food expert, TV host, writer, and culinary curator. She studied at the Cornell Hotel School and Le Cordon Bleu Paris before joining CHOW.com where she worked behind the scenes as Food Editor. Eventually, she moved to television where she hosted her Food Network show Ask Aida and later the Cooking Channel show, foodCrafters. Over the years, she has authored more than 1,000 original recipes and continues to publish new recipes on her site, aidamollenkamp.com. Through her work, she aims to inspire creativity in the meals you craft, the gatherings you design, and the food adventures you embark upon.

Alex Farnum is a San Francisco-based food and lifestyle photographer whose previous work for Chronicle Books includes Chicken and Egg and Cake Simple.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 24, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1452101299
  • ISBN-13: 978-1452101293
  • Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 1.5 x 10 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Aida Mollenkamp is California-based food expert, TV host, writer, and culinary curator. She studied at the Cornell Hotel School and Le Cordon Bleu Paris before joining CHOW.com where she worked behind the scenes as Food Editor. Eventually, she moved to television where she hosted her Food Network show Ask Aida and later the Cooking Channel show, foodCrafters. Over the years, she has authored more than 1,000 original recipes and continues to publish new recipes on her site, aidamollenkamp.com. Through her work, she aims to inspire creativity in the meals you craft, the gatherings you design, and the food adventures you embark upon.

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
(26)
4.8 out of 5 stars
All of the recipes are super easy to follow with clear guidelines and directions. CK  |  6 reviewers made a similar statement
If you have a cooking question, forget trying to "Google" it...it's in the book! Armato  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Your creativity will be unlocked with these "Keys to the Kitchen". HiKai  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely My Key to the Kitchen October 21, 2012
By HiKai
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Just what I needed - a well organized, resourceful cookbook to help me navigate and enjoy working in my kitchen. Great references and descriptions of "how to". This is so much more than just recipes! Your creativity will be unlocked with these "Keys to the Kitchen".
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars best cookbook ever! October 15, 2012
By Gaby
Format:Hardcover
Keys to the Kitchen is a book filled to the brim with information that makes being in the kitchen infinitely easier! It's basically the modern day Joy of Cooking. Aida's recipes are outstanding and you can see her passion for food shine though each page in the book. Even as a trained chef, I learned so much for this cookbook and will keep it with my in my kitchen forever!!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is amazing! October 24, 2012
Format:Hardcover
The title doesn't lie - this book has everything! It's truly a culinary showstopper. I haven't cracked another cookbook since I purchased Keys to the Kitchen - my guess is that you won't either.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book
This book is so thorough. I love how the chapters are set up with prep techniques, equipment, recipes, etc. I highly recommend it.
Published 12 days ago by Elizabeth
3.0 out of 5 stars It depends on what you like
When I first saw this title in a book catalog, I was grabbed by the subtitle "the essential reference ..." and thought this was a book I must have. Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. A. Rockwell
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
I made the espresso cookies for my husband when he was away with the military. Now all the military wives and husbands and partners have requested the recipe and it's become the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Garrett M. Mccord
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Presentation
I ordered this on the recommendation of a family friend who thought Aida's book belonged in my cooking library. It does! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Robert A. Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Cookbook
Best cookbook around!!! Easy to understand and a great foundation for the everyday cook. My cooking skills have improved tenfold thanks to Aida! #queenchef #bonappetit
Published 2 months ago by J
5.0 out of 5 stars Keys to the kitchen
This is one of the best that I have used it is easy to follow and has some great ideas
Published 2 months ago by Blue lou
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a fantastic book!
I love this cook book! It is definitely a modern day joy of cooking that isn't so dry you fall asleep a few pages in. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Britt Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars Sizzle AND Steak!!
Not only is Aida Mollenkamp an engaging and informative celebrity chef, she understands what interested home cooks need to take our skills to the next level. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Armato
5.0 out of 5 stars I needed this book
This is just the kind of book I needed, it's so much more than a book full of recipes. It is a lesson in all things related to the kitchen, food and cooking. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alice Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars Good for Beginners
I have been cooking for 30 years. It's fun to read about someone elses way of doing things and whether I learned to do it that way. This is a very good book for beginners. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Elizabeth Bargo
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