Kenji's The Food Lab

Focker

At 7lbs, holy smokes is this book thurough.  If you're a serious science nerd in the kitchen whether indoors or out,  I HIGHLY recommend this read.

I'm just getting into the thick of it, and it's awesome.  Like a modern day Betty Crocker.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0393081087/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1460389026&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=food+lab&dpPl=1&dpID=41tYfjj6yML&ref=plSrch

blind99

He's got some good stuff in there.  I like his writing.

I managed to get "Modernist Cuisine at Home" from the library.  Wow it's incredible.  Now I want a sous vide setup, a siphon, and a pressure cooker.

Focker

blind99 said:

He's got some good stuff in there.  I like his writing.

I managed to get "Modernist Cuisine at Home" from the library.  Wow it's incredible.  Now I want a sous vide setup, a siphon, and a pressure cooker.

Thanks, I'm sure that's where I'm headed after this. 

BigWader

what does it offer that a google search of serious eats doesn't?  I've cut way back on cookbooks and food magazines since I realized I usually default to google.

dmchicago

A friend sent it to us a few weeks ago. Really great cookbook/science lesson.

However, my wife made the bolognese last night and it was a serious fail.

Had to get take out.

Focker

BigWader said:

what does it offer that a google search of serious eats doesn't?  I've cut way back on cookbooks and food magazines since I realized I usually default to google.

Nothing much.  I'm sure if I cared, I could find some content.
I'm an old soul, old school.
I prefer, and still buy hardcovers. 
And I still prefer buying CDs.
Don't mind throwing him a little cash for the free content I have learned from in the past, I'm not that much of a cheap a$$.

Focker

dmchicago said:

A friend sent it to us a few weeks ago. Really great cookbook/science lesson.

However, my wife made the bolognese last night and it was a serious fail.

Had to get take out.

I've had pretty good luck with his stuff that I've tried, no inedible epic fails yet.
But nobody hits the long ball everytime.  

gdenby

Was just over at serious eats, checking on the immersion blender mayo. Yet another of one of the many great innovations from Kenji et. al. Another book I have to add to my collection.

I bought a couple of K$ of cookbooks a few years ago, am trying not to jump into that again. Alas, MC just released their book on baking. Seeing that I gave my S. Corriher book "Bakewise," to 1 daughter, much to the displeasure of the other, I guess I'll have to get the MC volume, and pass it on, after a quick peruse.

@blind99, it will be hard to stop at just the toys you mentioned. You probably won't get a centrifuge, or a roto-vap, but there's way to many toys that don't start at a grand that you'll want.

HeavyG

BigWader said:

what does it offer that a google search of serious eats doesn't?  I've cut way back on cookbooks and food magazines since I realized I usually default to google.

The book is mostly just a rehash/compilation of his stuff on the website.

I pre-ordered a copy anyway when he announced it last year just to help support someone whose work I enjoy and benefit from.

Ozzie_Isaac

I really like the book!  I frequent the website a lot, but it was a good way to support his work.

caliking

dmchicago said:

A friend sent it to us a few weeks ago. Really great cookbook/science lesson.

However, my wife made the bolognese last night and it was a serious fail.

Had to get take out.

It happens. I tried the gooey stovetop mac n cheese and thought it was terrible. It was like eating a bowl full of cheese with some mac thrown in. 

I find the crap-ton of advertising on the mobile site off-putting, and the "millenial" style of writing annoys me at times ( I know I sound cantankerous). But I do check it out from time to time. Don't love it enough to buy the book right now. 

Photo Egg

BigWader said:

what does it offer that a google search of serious eats doesn't?  I've cut way back on cookbooks and food magazines since I realized I usually default to google.

Google is a great way to find information if you know what you are looking for.
With this book, you learn information that you had no idea about. Hard to Google that.

blind99

@gdenby what I really need is a 2nd kitchen.  a lot of my old Italian relatives had 2nd kitchens in their garages, basements.  with a walk in fridge/freezer.

I saw they had announced a bread book, is it out now?

jlsm

@dmchicago, I'm right there with you on the bolognese. Not close to Hazan's. 

gdenby

blind99 said:

@gdenby what I really need is a 2nd kitchen.  a lot of my old Italian relatives had 2nd kitchens in their garages, basements.  with a walk in fridge/freezer.

I saw they had announced a bread book, is it out now?

Just under another year to publication.

My mother had 2 kitchens. Basement had an old heavy metal Tappan stove which remained her favorite forever. Was her mother's before her. 2 stoves, 2 'fridges. a deep freeze, a half a room filled w. pots and pans, another filled with tableware. Dishwasher and garbage disposal. A gas grill she never quite figured out.

Sadly, she passed before she could show much to her grand daughters, leaving me, the boy who almost never was in the kitchen, to hold her oven mitts. But the influence has passed on. All the kids cook well, 1 professionally.