The Cook's Apprentice: Tips, Techniques and Recipes for New Foodies

by Stephanie Alexander

This wonderful book is full to the brim with everything new foodies need to know to become relaxed and confident in the kitchen. Arranged alphabetically, it includes 56 ingredient chapters—from Apples to Zucchini—and more than 300 achievable recipes ranging from classics every cook will want to try, to exciting new dishes that reflect our diverse nation. Stephanie explains more than 100 important techniques in straightforward language, discusses the kitchen tools she likes to use, and describes ingredients you might not How do I whisk eggs to soft peaks? What does it mean to "make a well" in dry ingredients? Why should I roast spices? How do I prepare fresh chilies safely? What is "resting meat" and why should I do it? How do I prepare a mango? What flavors work well together? What is fresh mozzarella? How do I say "quinoa?" The Cook’s Apprentice gives all you new cooks the inspiration you need for a lifetime of enjoyment in the kitchen. Includes conversion charts.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food

576 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2019

About the author

Food and wine and friendship matter more than almost anything I can think of.

Who am I?

Food and wine and friendship matter more than almost anything I can think of. Together they involve skill and craft and patience, and understanding and appreciation of difference, and the desire to bring happiness to others. Brushing past scented leaves in a garden, looking over a vineyard with the vines glowing gold in autumn sunshine, picking parsley outside the back door, pulling a cork from a bottle of wine, cutting into a ripe cheese, appreciating a wonderful apple, setting out a picnic on a bush table, debating the questions of the universe over a fine wine… all these things seem to me to confirm our humanity and to make me want to live for another day, another meal. In the end, I still believe there is no greater joy than sharing food, conversation and laughter around a table.

In 2012 I will publish my memoir A Cook’s Life. Anyone who would like to know more about me will enjoy reading this book. There are many reminiscences and anecdotes in amongst the facts.

These days I spend most of my time supporting the team that makes the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation project function and grow. I also visit as many of our participating schools as I can and am delighted every time to be greeted by smiling faces and platters of delicious food.

Reviews

[Lauredhel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information, but not presented appealingly at all - not a single photo. I borrowed it from the library to check it if it would be suitable for my teenager. Glad I didn't buy it. In this day and age all of this information is very readily available online, and the point of a doorstop cookbook is to browse through looking for inspiration.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really pleased with this book, lots of great information all in one place and a fantastic selection of recipes. I also have Stephanies cooks companion which I love but I appreciate that with this volume it appears to have the best of the best recipes in one easy to digest book. The font is quite large and clear and the most essential information is included without bogging the reader down. With more than 500 cookbooks in my collection I can actually see myself cooking through this one because I know Stephanies recipes can be trusted and for that reason it is 100% a must have in my collection and one I am also buying for my son.

[Monique]

Great book many useful tips, especially if your beginning your apprenticeship or studying commercial cookery. Great pick up.