Things Cooks Love: Implements, Ingredients, Recipes (Hardcover)

by Sur La Table (Author), Marie Simmons (Author)
Key Phrases: flat whisk, oven mitts, silicone brush, Yukon Gold, Small Skillet, Monterey Jack (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This globe-trotting collection from the Seattle-based cookware chain Sur la Table uses cooking equipment as its inspiration. Authored by Simmons, who writes for Food & Wine and Cooking Light, this book recognizes that having the most suitable tool is critical to fun and successful food preparation. In the opening chapters, Simmons outlines the basic items a home cook should stock, like a peeler and whisk, before moving on to more sophisticated tools, e.g., a karahi (an Indian wok) and mattone (an Italian terra cotta press). From there, the book is organized by implement: a recipe for a chef's torch, for example, is Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes with Bubbling Mozzarella; a pommes anna pan produces, well, Pommes Anna with Herbs and Mushrooms. The recipes appeal to a new cook with their precision, so homemade crepes or fresh sushi will seem accessible, especially with the most suitable tool at hand. (May)
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Review
As clever as it is useful, rich with color photographs, short cuts, and care and cleaning tips. --The Kansas City Star

Must-have book for cooks at every level from the newlyweds to the seasoned cook. --Healthcastle.com

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740769766
• ISBN-13: 978-0740769764
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #253,978 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pricey brochure for Sur La Table, April 25, 2008

By	fair_deal_guy "BB" (Prior Lake, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This is a very pretty book, and it certainly provides a nice overview of cooks tools--but be forewarned that it looks and feels more like a product catalog than a top-shelf cookbook. Yes, there are sexy pics of the equipment, a little (sometimes very little) informative text about how to use and care for the equipment, and recipes related to the kind of hardware being discussed. And while I appreciated the breadth of the material, the author covers so much ground that depth is seriously lacking. In sum, I found the book to be slight, vaguely corporate in tone (read: the author's voice is indistinct), and generally unsatisfying--especially given the relatively high asking price. This is one of those titles that demand a thorough examination of the "Search Inside" feature at Amazon to decide for yourself if the book is worth the price.

This one gets four stars for ambition, but only two stars for execution.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So much more than Pretty Pictures.., April 4, 2008

By	Julie - See all my reviews

I really enjoyed this book. It was so much more than pretty pictures like most of the cookbooks today. It was informative and helpful. It made me want to get out some of my more esoteric pieces of cookware (like the cataplana and my Pomme Anna Pan)that I haven't touched in years and redisover them. Sur La Table is one of my favorite places to go to in Seattle and the book captured that wonderful feeling of visiting the store. It would make a very special gift for a cook in your life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the experienced as well as the beginning cook, June 29, 2008

By	Lizzie "Lizzie" (Kansas) - See all my reviews

This is a really helpful cookbook which describes cooking implements as well as ingredients both for common and global kitchens. I think it is a must-have for the beginning cook as well as for a more experienced person in the kitchen. The photos are spectacular! A piece of cookware is explained, alternatives are given and then several recipes are included for each. Tips for use are included as well. There are also explanations for ingredients used in cooking around the globe too. This would make a great shower gift for the bride to be as well as a wonderful gift for the cook or want-to-be cook in your life. Get one for yourself while you are at it. You won't regret it!