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Basics with Babish: Recipes for Screwing Up, Trying Again, and Hitting It Out of the Park
Devour over 100 simple, easy-to-follow recipes from the culinary genius who created the Babish Culinary Universe YouTube channel in this long-awaited companion.
In his widly popular Basics with Babish series, YouTube star Andrew Rea, who has amassed millions of subscribers, attempts, often fails, but always teaches cooking techniques for all levels of cooks. He’s explained everything from how to make challah bread and English muffins to Asian dumplings and homemade bacon. Now those classic, essential recipes (and many more) are compiled into an authoritative cookbook which contains hundreds of step-by-step photographs with tips and tricks to help you troubleshoot anything from broken butter to burnt bread to bony branzino. Basics with Babish isn’t just a kitchen Bible for a new generation of home chefs, it’s a proud reclamation of mistakes which encourages you to learn from your and Andrew’s missteps alike.
Andrew Rea launched Binging with Babish on YouTube in 2016, recreating and reimagining dishes from famous television programs and movies inspired by everything from Mad Men to The Simpsons to Game of Thrones. The tie-in cookbook, Binging with Babish, was an instant New York Times bestseller, and fans of that book and countless more will delight in this new cookbook which will truly teach you how to cook, with Rea’s beloved sense of humor and guiding hand throughout.
In his widly popular Basics with Babish series, YouTube star Andrew Rea, who has amassed millions of subscribers, attempts, often fails, but always teaches cooking techniques for all levels of cooks. He’s explained everything from how to make challah bread and English muffins to Asian dumplings and homemade bacon. Now those classic, essential recipes (and many more) are compiled into an authoritative cookbook which contains hundreds of step-by-step photographs with tips and tricks to help you troubleshoot anything from broken butter to burnt bread to bony branzino. Basics with Babish isn’t just a kitchen Bible for a new generation of home chefs, it’s a proud reclamation of mistakes which encourages you to learn from your and Andrew’s missteps alike.
Andrew Rea launched Binging with Babish on YouTube in 2016, recreating and reimagining dishes from famous television programs and movies inspired by everything from Mad Men to The Simpsons to Game of Thrones. The tie-in cookbook, Binging with Babish, was an instant New York Times bestseller, and fans of that book and countless more will delight in this new cookbook which will truly teach you how to cook, with Rea’s beloved sense of humor and guiding hand throughout.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 8, 2023
I love to cook and I think this might be my new favourite cookbook.
I think the thing that this cookbook has that others don’t that really sets it apart is the “How I Screwed Up” section for each recipe. It makes you feel like it’s okay if yours doesn’t turn out the way it’s supposed on the first try and even lets you know some of the most common mistakes made so you can be aware of them before you even start.
If you’re looking for a new cookbook pick this one up. It’s got an abundance of delicious recipes and simple instructions to help you prepare the most delicious meals imaginable.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think the thing that this cookbook has that others don’t that really sets it apart is the “How I Screwed Up” section for each recipe. It makes you feel like it’s okay if yours doesn’t turn out the way it’s supposed on the first try and even lets you know some of the most common mistakes made so you can be aware of them before you even start.
If you’re looking for a new cookbook pick this one up. It’s got an abundance of delicious recipes and simple instructions to help you prepare the most delicious meals imaginable.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2023
I’ve followed Andrew for years. He’s always reminded me of a younger Alton Brown. His videos have always been easy to understand as well as his cookbooks. This one is no different. It explains things in such a simple way that anyone would be able to follow. The pictures are gorgeous. Plus, it gives an insight into Andrew’s life. This cookbook is amazing. I think anyone that enjoys cooking, even if it’s just a little bit, should own this book and have it on their shelf. It really is a fantastic read and cookbook.
January 16, 2024
I picked this book up so the library because it looked interesting. Never heard of Andrew Rea or his Babish series on YouTube, which apparently has a huge following. Rea makes this cookbook different by writing about how his recipes have failed and how they can be fixed, and does so in a light and irreverent way. Lots of home made bread recipes, make your own pasta recipes and some mains and desserts. Unfortunately I'm waaaay too lazy for a cookbook like this....I'm old and don't have a lot of time to wait for bread to rise...(I have a bread maker and buy fresh pasta at the markets)...but maybe cooks who enjoy making their own BACON and spending hours in the kitchen will like this book a lot more.
June 9, 2024
I love the decadent and indulgent recipes. This was a gift for my children, and I have to admit, they understand my tastes well.
From the YouTube influencer chef, the recipes are in my bailiwick.
The format of every recipe contains a recurring checklist of lessons learned and how he has failed at performing the recipe along with tips to improve greater performance, and to hear this perspective of humility with every recipe has the savor of one in pursuit of excellence.
My kind of chef.
Much love.
From the YouTube influencer chef, the recipes are in my bailiwick.
The format of every recipe contains a recurring checklist of lessons learned and how he has failed at performing the recipe along with tips to improve greater performance, and to hear this perspective of humility with every recipe has the savor of one in pursuit of excellence.
My kind of chef.
Much love.
January 18, 2024
Beautiful pictures and fun descriptions where the author’s voice really comes through.
I found this to be above my comfort level in cooking, and wouldn’t recommend it as a “Basics” book as it is titled. There were several times where the directions seemed out of order and unclear. I also had a lot of failures, even after reading, re-reading, prepping, then re-re-reading.
I would only recommend this book to advanced cooks or collectors.
I found this to be above my comfort level in cooking, and wouldn’t recommend it as a “Basics” book as it is titled. There were several times where the directions seemed out of order and unclear. I also had a lot of failures, even after reading, re-reading, prepping, then re-re-reading.
I would only recommend this book to advanced cooks or collectors.
December 3, 2025
My girlfriend and I read this together in the bookstore! Still bought myself a copy. The recipes look delicious and there is a good sense of humor and design throughout. Definitely recommend picking this up.
October 6, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with this book tio revieew
"Basics with Babish" by Andrew Rea is a cookbook and culinary guide that aims to take cooking enthusiasts through the fundamental techniques and recipes needed to become more proficient in the kitchen.
One of the major downfalls is that the book uses the metric system for all measurements. For those in America who are thinking about buying this book, get ready to break out Alexa, so you can convert grams to ounces, etc. This is extremely annoying. When I cook, the last thing I want to do is math. The last thing I want to use is a conversion table. You will need both when using this book. I found the decision to use the metric system wrong and a major turnoff.
The book is loaded with errors. I found numerous recipes where the steps described were not in order, missing directions and recipes that simply did not make any sense. For example, I made brioche. The recipe said to set the oven at 350 degrees, and set aside the dough for 2 hours. Why would I set the oven at 350 degrees, only to leave it empty for two hours? Makes no sense. Errors like this are abundant throughout the book.
Whether you're a complete beginner or a more experienced cook looking to refine your skills, "Basics with Babish" does offer something for everyone. The book covers a wide range of topics, from knife skills and food safety to making stocks, sauces, and various cooking techniques.
The photography and design of the book are also noteworthy. The images are mouthwatering, and they provide visual cues that can be incredibly helpful when attempting the recipes. The layout is clean and well-organized, making it easy to navigate and find what you're looking for.
The recipes themselves are a mix of classic dishes and some unique twists, all of which are designed to help you build a solid culinary foundation. Some readers may find that the recipes lean towards the more indulgent side, with a focus on comfort food and sometimes heavy on the calories, which might not align with everyone's dietary preferences.
One potential drawback of "Basics with Babish" is that it may not offer as much depth as some readers would like. While it does a great job of introducing essential cooking techniques, those seeking advanced or specialized culinary knowledge may find themselves wanting more.
In conclusion, "Basics with Babish" by Andrew Rea is a good resource for those looking to improve their cooking skills and gain confidence in the kitchen. It's a visually appealing, approachable, and informative book that reflects Rea's passion for food and teaching. It serves its purpose well as a beginner-friendly guide to cooking basics. But beware of recipe errors and the need to convert all ingredients from metric.
"Basics with Babish" by Andrew Rea is a cookbook and culinary guide that aims to take cooking enthusiasts through the fundamental techniques and recipes needed to become more proficient in the kitchen.
One of the major downfalls is that the book uses the metric system for all measurements. For those in America who are thinking about buying this book, get ready to break out Alexa, so you can convert grams to ounces, etc. This is extremely annoying. When I cook, the last thing I want to do is math. The last thing I want to use is a conversion table. You will need both when using this book. I found the decision to use the metric system wrong and a major turnoff.
The book is loaded with errors. I found numerous recipes where the steps described were not in order, missing directions and recipes that simply did not make any sense. For example, I made brioche. The recipe said to set the oven at 350 degrees, and set aside the dough for 2 hours. Why would I set the oven at 350 degrees, only to leave it empty for two hours? Makes no sense. Errors like this are abundant throughout the book.
Whether you're a complete beginner or a more experienced cook looking to refine your skills, "Basics with Babish" does offer something for everyone. The book covers a wide range of topics, from knife skills and food safety to making stocks, sauces, and various cooking techniques.
The photography and design of the book are also noteworthy. The images are mouthwatering, and they provide visual cues that can be incredibly helpful when attempting the recipes. The layout is clean and well-organized, making it easy to navigate and find what you're looking for.
The recipes themselves are a mix of classic dishes and some unique twists, all of which are designed to help you build a solid culinary foundation. Some readers may find that the recipes lean towards the more indulgent side, with a focus on comfort food and sometimes heavy on the calories, which might not align with everyone's dietary preferences.
One potential drawback of "Basics with Babish" is that it may not offer as much depth as some readers would like. While it does a great job of introducing essential cooking techniques, those seeking advanced or specialized culinary knowledge may find themselves wanting more.
In conclusion, "Basics with Babish" by Andrew Rea is a good resource for those looking to improve their cooking skills and gain confidence in the kitchen. It's a visually appealing, approachable, and informative book that reflects Rea's passion for food and teaching. It serves its purpose well as a beginner-friendly guide to cooking basics. But beware of recipe errors and the need to convert all ingredients from metric.
December 30, 2023
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Basics with Babish is an -interactive- cooking guide with recipes and info curated by Andrew Rea. Released 24th Oct 2023 by Simon & Schuster on their Simon Element imprint, it's 464 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a useful and warmly written guide with lots of recipes, but it's also a learning guide/cookery course which aims to help readers acquire useful skills and develop their cooking repertoire. There's a very "trouble-shooting" vibe to the recipes which will help readers understand where things might've gone differently from their goal and how to improve results next time.
There's a logical layout and chapters are grouped roughly thematically: bread, pizza, pasta, eggs, vegetables, seafood, poultry, pork, beef, and desserts. Each of the recipes include a title and introduction, ingredients in a bullet list, and step-by-step prep instructions. Ingredients will mostly be readily available from any moderately well stocked grocery store. Measurements are given in metric SI units (yay!); so a kitchen scale is a must.
Recipes are accompanied by many (many) process photos as well as styled finished shots of the dish. Serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate. Nutritional info is not included. The author has included many alternate preparations/forms (loaves, muffins, individual servings, and pull apart loaves, for example) for most of the dishes.
The standout for this volume is the author's exploration of why individual recipes have gone wrong, a troubleshooting discussion, and techniques for improving results.
There's a lot of personal detail here, and for current fans of the author's work on youtube, etc, the background makes for entertaining reading.
Four and a half stars. This is a really useful and beautiful book. Highly recommended for public library acquisition, home use, and gifting.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Basics with Babish is an -interactive- cooking guide with recipes and info curated by Andrew Rea. Released 24th Oct 2023 by Simon & Schuster on their Simon Element imprint, it's 464 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This is a useful and warmly written guide with lots of recipes, but it's also a learning guide/cookery course which aims to help readers acquire useful skills and develop their cooking repertoire. There's a very "trouble-shooting" vibe to the recipes which will help readers understand where things might've gone differently from their goal and how to improve results next time.
There's a logical layout and chapters are grouped roughly thematically: bread, pizza, pasta, eggs, vegetables, seafood, poultry, pork, beef, and desserts. Each of the recipes include a title and introduction, ingredients in a bullet list, and step-by-step prep instructions. Ingredients will mostly be readily available from any moderately well stocked grocery store. Measurements are given in metric SI units (yay!); so a kitchen scale is a must.
Recipes are accompanied by many (many) process photos as well as styled finished shots of the dish. Serving suggestions are attractive and appropriate. Nutritional info is not included. The author has included many alternate preparations/forms (loaves, muffins, individual servings, and pull apart loaves, for example) for most of the dishes.
The standout for this volume is the author's exploration of why individual recipes have gone wrong, a troubleshooting discussion, and techniques for improving results.
There's a lot of personal detail here, and for current fans of the author's work on youtube, etc, the background makes for entertaining reading.
Four and a half stars. This is a really useful and beautiful book. Highly recommended for public library acquisition, home use, and gifting.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
October 23, 2023
Looking for a cookbook that will keep you busy? Basics with Babish: Recipes for Screwing Up, Trying Again, and Hitting It Out of the Park , by chef, filmmaker and host to the popular YouTube channel, Babish Culinary Universe, was named Best Cookbook of Fall 2023 by Food & Wine, Delish, and Tasting Table. Those who own this cookbook will also vote it one of the best on their cookbook shelf. Not only does it include basic information, such as a glossary, notes on spices, and other things a good cook should know. Then come the recipes – lots of them. Most recipes not only include a beautiful, professional photograph of the finished product as well as step-by-step photos, but troubleshooting tips, and notes from the author that are helpful, often humorous, and interesting to read.
The recipes are mouthwatering and will appeal to everyone. There are basic bread recipes, pasta recipes, appetizer recipes, etc. They are written in the traditional manner with the ingredients listed first, followed by easy-to-follow instructions.
All told, this is a fun cookbook to re-learn basics that are better than we knew how to do before. It is not surprising that this cookbook is the recipient of many awards. The author has a sense of humor, and knows his food. This one is highly recommended.
Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.
The recipes are mouthwatering and will appeal to everyone. There are basic bread recipes, pasta recipes, appetizer recipes, etc. They are written in the traditional manner with the ingredients listed first, followed by easy-to-follow instructions.
All told, this is a fun cookbook to re-learn basics that are better than we knew how to do before. It is not surprising that this cookbook is the recipient of many awards. The author has a sense of humor, and knows his food. This one is highly recommended.
Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.
December 1, 2025
Am I being gaslit?
I love Babish, I've made nearly every recipe from the binging with babish cookbook and they have been fantastic. The one thing I know him for is quality recipes that have been tested countlessly.
However, this is NOT the case with this book.
I've made 5 or 6 recipes from this book and they're just not up to the same quality man. They're just okay at the best. There's loads of typos and problems with the recipes that have gone as far as making it so I can't even tell how much of an ingredient I'm supposed to use. The clear instructions from earlier are gone and now there's just a mess of a cookbook. I love the idea of having solutions to problems with the recipes in the book, but almost every time I've had a problem thats *not* included (usually due to the recipe itself). It's not the worst cookbook, you can make food that tastes pretty fine with it. But it won't blow your mind like the last one, and there's a good chance you'll get at least a little angry.
I'm aware of what Andrew has been through over the past few years, and I fully support the direction that his channel and brand have been going through because of it. However, this cookbook still sucks.
I love Babish, I've made nearly every recipe from the binging with babish cookbook and they have been fantastic. The one thing I know him for is quality recipes that have been tested countlessly.
However, this is NOT the case with this book.
I've made 5 or 6 recipes from this book and they're just not up to the same quality man. They're just okay at the best. There's loads of typos and problems with the recipes that have gone as far as making it so I can't even tell how much of an ingredient I'm supposed to use. The clear instructions from earlier are gone and now there's just a mess of a cookbook. I love the idea of having solutions to problems with the recipes in the book, but almost every time I've had a problem thats *not* included (usually due to the recipe itself). It's not the worst cookbook, you can make food that tastes pretty fine with it. But it won't blow your mind like the last one, and there's a good chance you'll get at least a little angry.
I'm aware of what Andrew has been through over the past few years, and I fully support the direction that his channel and brand have been going through because of it. However, this cookbook still sucks.
October 4, 2023
My husband introduced our teens and me to Binging with Babish on youtube a few years ago and this cookbook definitely encompasses the author’s charm and humor.
I'm going to go so far as to write that these are basics, elevated. This isn't a negative, by any means. It's the difference between something that tastes good to something that tastes great. This is a great how-to / cookbook for anyone who wants to learn how to cook - my teens have been cooking and baking for a few years and they found this book very informative.
There’s a lot in here. The chapters are below, but this list doesn’t encompass the spices, pantry ingredients, cookware and accessories, etc. that the author has added.
Chapter 1 - Bread
Chapter 2 - Pizza
Chapter 3 - Pasta
Chapter 4 - Eggs
Chapter 5 - Vegetables / Side Dishes
Chapter 6 - Seafood
Chapter 7 - Poultry
Chapter 8 - Pork
Chapter 9 - Beef
Chapter 10 - Desserts
**Note - There's a lot of dairy and meat - from raw prep on. If you’ve watched the youtube channel, you know, but if not this one isn't going to work for most vegetarians, nevermind vegans.
Thank you to S&S/Simon Element and NetGalley for the DRC!
I'm going to go so far as to write that these are basics, elevated. This isn't a negative, by any means. It's the difference between something that tastes good to something that tastes great. This is a great how-to / cookbook for anyone who wants to learn how to cook - my teens have been cooking and baking for a few years and they found this book very informative.
There’s a lot in here. The chapters are below, but this list doesn’t encompass the spices, pantry ingredients, cookware and accessories, etc. that the author has added.
Chapter 1 - Bread
Chapter 2 - Pizza
Chapter 3 - Pasta
Chapter 4 - Eggs
Chapter 5 - Vegetables / Side Dishes
Chapter 6 - Seafood
Chapter 7 - Poultry
Chapter 8 - Pork
Chapter 9 - Beef
Chapter 10 - Desserts
**Note - There's a lot of dairy and meat - from raw prep on. If you’ve watched the youtube channel, you know, but if not this one isn't going to work for most vegetarians, nevermind vegans.
Thank you to S&S/Simon Element and NetGalley for the DRC!
September 2, 2023
Basics with Babish is a great cookbook for the author's YouTube fans and aspiring cooks alike. Basics with Babish is just that -- a tour through some of the basics of cooking and baking. Chapters are devoted to bread, pasta, vegetables, pizza, several meats, and everyone's favorite -- dessert!
I love that every recipe starts with a section of FAQ-like entries of ways the recipe can go sideways with solutions to those problems. It prepares you with the information you need to succeed before you even look at the ingredients. This makes it feel like you're actually learning something as opposed to blindly following steps and hoping for the best.
As for the book itself, the photography is great and I love that they didn't follow a common influencer trend of putting QR codes on every recipe. If people are reading your book, you don't need to push your channel so hard! Stay classy, Babish.
I received an electronic copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love that every recipe starts with a section of FAQ-like entries of ways the recipe can go sideways with solutions to those problems. It prepares you with the information you need to succeed before you even look at the ingredients. This makes it feel like you're actually learning something as opposed to blindly following steps and hoping for the best.
As for the book itself, the photography is great and I love that they didn't follow a common influencer trend of putting QR codes on every recipe. If people are reading your book, you don't need to push your channel so hard! Stay classy, Babish.
I received an electronic copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2024
I enjoy watching the Babish cooking videos, so I decided to give the book a try. I don't generally like cookbooks because I have food allergies, so I mostly read (and watch) for fun and not for actual cooking.
This is a GIANT book. It's fun to read, the commentary is funny and awkward and silly and reminiscent of the show, and the troubleshooting tips are truly the best part. Those tips are the reason for the rating!
I have two complaints:
1. I don't believe a book with "Basics" in the title should have recipes calling for a 900 degree pizza oven or for a smoker. Maybe "Basics and Beyond with Babish" ?
2. The poke bowl recipe.
I appreciated the honesty in admitting the lack of knowledge of actual poke, or Hawaii in general, and I'm not going to blame this book for mainland poke recipes, even if the book's recipe is basically chirashizushi. It was trying to tell me what a "traditional poke bowl" is that ticked me off, because poke bowls here don't use seasoned rice like sushi. You JUST said you don't know anything about poke! Auwe!
This is a GIANT book. It's fun to read, the commentary is funny and awkward and silly and reminiscent of the show, and the troubleshooting tips are truly the best part. Those tips are the reason for the rating!
I have two complaints:
1. I don't believe a book with "Basics" in the title should have recipes calling for a 900 degree pizza oven or for a smoker. Maybe "Basics and Beyond with Babish" ?
2. The poke bowl recipe.
I appreciated the honesty in admitting the lack of knowledge of actual poke, or Hawaii in general, and I'm not going to blame this book for mainland poke recipes, even if the book's recipe is basically chirashizushi. It was trying to tell me what a "traditional poke bowl" is that ticked me off, because poke bowls here don't use seasoned rice like sushi. You JUST said you don't know anything about poke! Auwe!
October 23, 2023
I like geeky things. I watch videoes about geeky things and that includes food. Andrew is not a profressionally trained chef, but he is like us. He learned how to cook and shows us his mistakes so we can all learn together. And seriously, each recipe has a blurb about he has messed up the execution of the recipe at some point.
This cookbook is great for those who are beginners or...NOT. This book is filled with his humor, amazing troubleshooting of each recipe and step by step reasoning. And by troubleshooting - he asks and answers the questions we would have - Why didn't this bread rise? (For example).
Most cookbooks I breeze through in like 20 min. Not this one. Take your time and read it! Ot's not about geeky food, it's about FOOD.
Fave recipes I am looking forward to making:
Rosemary Foccacia
Pan Pizza
Latke
Pastaroni Salad
Vegetable Fried Rice
Cheesecake
This cookbook is great for those who are beginners or...NOT. This book is filled with his humor, amazing troubleshooting of each recipe and step by step reasoning. And by troubleshooting - he asks and answers the questions we would have - Why didn't this bread rise? (For example).
Most cookbooks I breeze through in like 20 min. Not this one. Take your time and read it! Ot's not about geeky food, it's about FOOD.
Fave recipes I am looking forward to making:
Rosemary Foccacia
Pan Pizza
Latke
Pastaroni Salad
Vegetable Fried Rice
Cheesecake
January 21, 2024
Andrew Rea created the Babish Culinary Universe, a YouTube Channel. I don't watch cooking shows on YouTube, but if I did, Babish seems like one to follow if they have a book. The food looks delicious, and it encourages attempts despite inevitable failure. No one is good at something at the start.
Basics With Babish is a cookbook. It presents recipes and techniques meant to improve your culinary skills. It discusses basic spices to own, tools to possess, and the proper attitude. Rea inserts a wonderful sense of humor into the dialogue.
Rea provides troubleshooting tips along with recipes. How can this or that go wrong, and what to do about it. For example, when you make pizza, don't use pre-shredded cheese. Otherwise, the cheese won't get melty.
I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
Basics With Babish is a cookbook. It presents recipes and techniques meant to improve your culinary skills. It discusses basic spices to own, tools to possess, and the proper attitude. Rea inserts a wonderful sense of humor into the dialogue.
Rea provides troubleshooting tips along with recipes. How can this or that go wrong, and what to do about it. For example, when you make pizza, don't use pre-shredded cheese. Otherwise, the cheese won't get melty.
I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
May 21, 2024
I have always been a fan of Babish since his youtube show started and am very glad to see him release a cookbook. Personally one of my favorite videos of his is of meatloaf and is now my go to recipe. I'm excited to not have to replay a video several times to make copy down the directions anymore. (Although that was probably very good for his viewing numbers).
This book is a very good learning resource! And it includes lots of photos!!! (I think that is a must for cookbooks because you need to see what the result should generally look like). Although, my absolute favorite thing about this book were explanations of why recipes had gone bad. I think that is lacking in a lot of basics cookbooks. This affords the reader to learn from their mistakes, and Babish's.
Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this eARC.
This book is a very good learning resource! And it includes lots of photos!!! (I think that is a must for cookbooks because you need to see what the result should generally look like). Although, my absolute favorite thing about this book were explanations of why recipes had gone bad. I think that is lacking in a lot of basics cookbooks. This affords the reader to learn from their mistakes, and Babish's.
Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this eARC.
August 25, 2023
It's an absolute game changer that Andrew Rea decided to add fixes for common mistakes to each recipe. I love this and I wish more books did this. The photography is great and the recipes - while I haven't attempted any yet - are awesome, but it is the "here's what I learned the hard way" and "what to do if ____ came out wrong" additions that really set this book apart.
It's worth noting I am not a fangirl of his. I don't watch YouTube (not because I think I am above it/too cool, but because I just don't have the focus for it) and when I met him at NYCC last year it was.... not the greatest interaction. But I was gifted his first book and enjoyed it, so I was interested to check this one out and I really did enjoy it.
(I received an early copy for review)
It's worth noting I am not a fangirl of his. I don't watch YouTube (not because I think I am above it/too cool, but because I just don't have the focus for it) and when I met him at NYCC last year it was.... not the greatest interaction. But I was gifted his first book and enjoyed it, so I was interested to check this one out and I really did enjoy it.
(I received an early copy for review)
September 3, 2023
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I think Babish and I have different definitions of basic because this is a thorough book that spans a lot of recipes! There's a variety of recipes for pastas, meat, veggies, and breads with pictures and helpful instructions. Babish talks about mistakes that are common with the recipes and how to fix them (including mistakes he's made). A not insignificant part of this book is focused on meat (including sea food) and if you have any dietary restrictions there's not really alternatives suggested so less of the book may be useful. This book is helpful in showing what to expect from various recipes and how to ensure success when cooking.
I think Babish and I have different definitions of basic because this is a thorough book that spans a lot of recipes! There's a variety of recipes for pastas, meat, veggies, and breads with pictures and helpful instructions. Babish talks about mistakes that are common with the recipes and how to fix them (including mistakes he's made). A not insignificant part of this book is focused on meat (including sea food) and if you have any dietary restrictions there's not really alternatives suggested so less of the book may be useful. This book is helpful in showing what to expect from various recipes and how to ensure success when cooking.
September 6, 2023
I was really excited to see this book! Previously, I had watched some of Babish's youtube videos and was very interested in reading his cookbook. I really enjoyed everything about this cookbook! The images are stunning and the layout is great! I like that he is not a trained chef but just like everyone else, teaching these great techniques. It is a great addition to add information like troubleshooting and mistakes he has made making the recipes. The variety of recipes was also great from Bolognese to apple pie! This would be a great addition to a new home owner or an amateur chef! I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2025
First, I’m counting this because I did actually page through and read the entire thing. So in my mind, that counts (can’t blame a girl for boosting her numbers at the end of the year). This book is somehow hilarious? It’s a cookbook and yet I was giggling while reading it. The troubleshooting conversations for each recipe are so helpful and so funny I loved it. This book has a billion different recipes, some building off of the ones before , and I am very excited to see what I can do. This is not a gf book, so I am going to have to adjust things a bit to get them safe for my intestines, but I believe in myself!
September 22, 2023
I've been watching Babish's videos for years. I love his cookware products. When I saw he was publishing a cookbook, I knew it was a go-to reference book because he does such an amazing job at relaying cooking techniques for the amateur cook. Even experienced cooks can learn something new from Basics with Babish. The photography and recipes were absolute perfection. I've bookmarked several recipes that will become household staples, especially the baking recipes.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to give an honest review of this cookbook.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to give an honest review of this cookbook.
October 12, 2023
A great book for every kitchen. It’s real, funny, honest, informative and educational. It’s both a how to and how not to all written with humor and kindness. From how to stock your pantry with basics, spices, pots and pans and accessories to basic recipes to whole meals, some simple and other more sophisticated, this book can get you through almost anything food and kitchen related. I made quite a few if the recipes and they were easy to follow and delicious.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 23, 2023
Great cookbook! I’ve never heard of Babish before but after reading his cookbook I looked him up on YouTube. The cookbook is great, easy to read to follow along and the photos are awesome! This book has recipes that I would actually make at home. There are recipes for Bread, Pizza, Pasta, Eggs, Vegetables/Side dishes, Seafood, Poultry, Pork, Beef and Desserts. I also like the Troubleshooting in the begging of each recipe. Great gift for foodies! I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review
September 12, 2023
I love Babish, I've been watching his channel since the beginning. This cookbook is awesome, and so helpful, even for someone who is not unexperienced in the kitchen. It's beautiful and fun, and his personality really shows in it. My favorite part is the 'How I've Screwed This Up' section, it's so nice to know that even experienced people have issues sometimes, and to hear from their advice to help people learn how to not make the same mistakes. Can't wait to purchase the hardcover version!
October 17, 2023
Thank you Simon Element and NetGalley for the ARC!
As a fan of Binging with Babish on YouTube, I jumped at the chance to read and review Andrew Rea’s cookbook. I have already bookmarked so many recipes that I can’t wait to dive into. I learned a lot of good tips as I was looking through the recipes, and I absolutely love the troubleshooting tips for each “basic”! I can’t wait to experiment with these recipes and develop my cooking skills even more!
Thank you again for the ARC!
As a fan of Binging with Babish on YouTube, I jumped at the chance to read and review Andrew Rea’s cookbook. I have already bookmarked so many recipes that I can’t wait to dive into. I learned a lot of good tips as I was looking through the recipes, and I absolutely love the troubleshooting tips for each “basic”! I can’t wait to experiment with these recipes and develop my cooking skills even more!
Thank you again for the ARC!
November 12, 2023
Overall, the book looks good, the photos are great and the idea is fun.
One major issue I've found is the organization of the recipes is not entirely intuitive, often finding yourself mid-way through the recipe only to realize you needed to pre-make an ingredient days prior, or there's a multi-hour waiting period between steps.
The recipes turn out great, and the food is delicious, but if you're a beginner cook or new to labor-intensive recipes this book may not be for you yet.
One major issue I've found is the organization of the recipes is not entirely intuitive, often finding yourself mid-way through the recipe only to realize you needed to pre-make an ingredient days prior, or there's a multi-hour waiting period between steps.
The recipes turn out great, and the food is delicious, but if you're a beginner cook or new to labor-intensive recipes this book may not be for you yet.
December 29, 2023
“Basics with Babish - Recipes for screwing up, trying again and hitting it out of the park” by Andrew Rea. A perfect Christmas gift for cooking enthusiasts. I’ve been following Babish online for years. His recipes really do work! Each recipe include helpful directions and techniques. Andrew talks about each recipe and how they’ve gone wrong for him and how he fixed it. It’s brilliant. Fun to read. There’s a kitchen glossary, do’s and don’t (s)! Great photographs with his cheeky face!
June 11, 2026
I am a cook book junkie. I am always on the hunt for a really great recipe. Basics with Babish is the best cookbook I have ever bought. The recipes are not over complicated to make. Some are a little more work intensive but worth the effort and do not disappoint. I have never found a cookbook that I actually want to cook my way through. Truly a book that offers foodie adventure. I would give this a 10 Star.
September 6, 2023
I've followed Babish on and off for awhile now and I love his cooking style! I was excited to see this new cookbook. One thing I love that he does is breaks down common kitchen tools, spices, herbs, etc in a way that is so friendly to a beginner or even expert cook. I found this book a great intro to staple dishes and some harder to make items. I can't wait to bake and cook my way through it!
March 3, 2024
I loved the back story for each recipe and appreciated all the side comments as well. That made this cookbook fun to read as well as cook from. There are recipes that seem familiar and then Andrew changes an ingredient or two and it completely alters the dish to something new. This was a great book and I will reach for it often.
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