The New Essentials Cookbook: A Modern Guide to Better Cooking

The editors of America's Test Kitchen promise to help readers establish a repertoire of go-to recipes for everyday and special occasions. The first part of this newest work covers kitchen basics: outlining the "10 Habits of a Good Cook," listing staples, and highlighting how-tos, such as knife skills, vegetable and fruit prep, and methods for cooking with liquids, fats, dry heat, and open flames. The book goes on to list recipes and strategies on "the simplest way to cook everything," including "think like a cook" prompts to elevate simple ingredients and encourage experimentation. Arranged into a "What's for Dinner?" menu, recipes boast pastas, poultry, meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes. From African sweet potato & peanut stew to classic pot roast, the recipes range from comfort foods to modern standard fare.