Cook90: The 30-Day Plan for Faster, Healthier, Happier Meals

by David Tamarkin

Challenge yourself to cook 90 simple meals in a month, and reboot the way you eat, cook, and feel -- from the editors of Epicurious, the web's most trusted recipe site. Can you COOK90? It's easier than you think. For 30 days, challenge yourself to cook every meal -- and you'll transform the way you eat and feel. The 150,000+ people who take the COOK90 challenge every year know that cooking for yourself is one of the most satisfying, effective, and easy ways to improve your wellbeing. With expert support from the editors of Epicurious, the web's most trusted recipe site, you'll say goodbye to pricey takeout, crummy pizza delivery, and fast food that's no good for you. And you'll say hello to all the benefits of home healthier and more delicious meals, a fatter wallet, a clearer mind, and sharper skills. With more than 100 recipes, strategies, and four weeks of meal plans for every way of eating, you can save time, money, and sanity with a simple I will not rely on restaurants, roommates, Cups o'Noodles, or my family to feed myself. Instead, enjoy meals Baked Feta with Chickpeas and Greens, Steak Soba Salad, Braised Rotisserie Chicken with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Kale, Start your day with Perfect 7-Minute Eggs or Cocoa Oats with Yogurt, Honey, and Hazelnuts, and end it with a Cinnamon-Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie or Salted Almond Apple Crisp. And you'll do it all without upending your life. By repurposing leftovers and planning ahead, you make cooking work for your schedule, not the other way around. Take the COOK90 challenge, and become a better, faster, healthier, happier cook.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Culinary, Health

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2018

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only made a handful of the recipes, but they were very good. And the million post-it notes I removed before turning it back in at the library indicate that there are plenty more to explore. I'm not sure that the idea behind the book- cooking every meal for a month- is one I have interest in trying, but it does sound like a worthy challenge.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I only found a handful of worthy recipes.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great new year, new goals idea. My husband and I love cooking together, and pretty much do 5-6 nights a week. But EVERY meal of the day for 30 days, homemade?? I like this challenge!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the premise, but these recipes aren't for me. A sardine sandwich? No thank you.

[Lisa Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been an avid Cook90 participant since 2017, so I was very excited by the release of this book (and to have received it as a Christmas gift just in time for Cook90 2019). I'm a fan of the concept because it's a food-related "challenge" that isn't centered around dieting, saving money, or cooking quickly. The purpose of Cook90 is to cook more. It's a bonus that cooking for oneself usually means you'll be eating healthier, spending less, and cooking with greater efficiency. For me, it has become a January tradition that influences my cooking habits and skills year-round.

This book features some of my favourite recipes, as well as lots of tips to help you cook more and cook better, whether you're doing a full-on COOK90 experience or just trying to cook more on a weekly basis. In large part, this is guidance around meal-related planning — determining what you'll eat and when, what you need to buy, and using your time and ingredients efficiently until you've got a well-stocked pantry and you're at a point where one day's meals and prep flow seamlessly into the next because you're thinking a couple steps ahead.

The recipes range from super simple to somewhat involved, so it's good for beginners and those who are more comfortable in the kitchen. It's notable that the recipes are for full plates/bowls (plus some desserts) rather than just components that you then have to match up with one another.

Something that really adds to the Cook90 experience is author David Tamarkin's personality as it comes across in his writing. Not only is he full of helpful advice for the home cook, he is funny and candid about the realities of being a home cook — sometimes, after a long day, you just can't bear the thought of chopping another onion.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. I checked it out from the library to see if I’d like it and to save money, and of course now I want to buy it. 🤑

The premise is that you cook every meal - three a day - for 30 days (thus, you “COOK90” meals). You get three passes for special occasions, work stuff, or if you are just dead tired. I would love to do this, but my life - more than most people’s, I think? - revolves around the food and beverage/hospitality industries because of my work. There isn’t a week where I’m not getting coffee, lunch, or happy hour with some work contact, let alone with friends or my partner.

So doing this challenge would mean radically changing my life and saying “no” to everything for a month. Maybe that would be amazing. Maybe I could try one week and see how it goes. It’s insane that this would be a “hardship” for me when this is how everyone lived 200 years ago and how people with limited funds or access to restaurants live now. If anyone wants to try a one-week challenge with me and be accountability partners, let me know. 🤗

As for the actual recipes, I thought many sounded yummy and doable, and I got a lot of great ideas for lunches and using “nextovers” (the book’s term for intentional leftovers) in better ways. Unfortunately, Matt would not be into a lot of these dishes since they are heavy on beans, grains, and greens. Food continues to be our greatest cohabitational challenge and I don’t know if that will ever change. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this cookbook and have been using it almost exclusively to meal plan and cook since I got it at the beginning of the year. David Tamarkin is quite literally obsessive about cooking! But his obsessiveness is our gain because almost every recipe in this book has been a winner in my family and with my friends and guests. As I had hoped, this book has helped me with the tedious chore of meal planning and has helped me step outside my comfort zone by cooking new foods (Tikki Masala, Fried Rice, Sesame Chicken--I had previously claimed I don't cook Asian food as I thought it was too hard. And, yes, I realize these recipes may not be authentic Asian cuisine, but they were as good or better than a lot of take-out I've had! And so much healthier!). The cookbook and it's creator are part of the Bon Appetit family which means I trust it implicitly because their recipes are rigorously tested for the home cook. If you want to cook more healthy, yummy meals for yourself or your family then this is the cookbook to get!
Oh, and I did not accept the challenge of cooking every meal for one month. As I said, this man is obsessive (and that's not meant as a put-down. He wrote an article for Bon Appetit about his anxiety.). I'm in it for the recipes and the meal planning.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the premise of the Cook90 - cook every meal for 30 days to expand your cooking skills and try new recipes. I did think some of the rules were a little strict - you can't eat the same meal more than twice (except breakfast), eat leftovers no more than twice, and it doesn't count if someone else in your household cooks - you HAVE to cook part of the meal. But, I definitely think doing this would push you out of your comfort zone with cooking. I am a creature of habit, so it would be very hard for me to not have the same meal more than twice in a month. The first section of the book explains the Cook 90 plan and then the second section goes over how to plan this out and the importance of having a meal plan and creating "nextovers" parts of a meal that you purposely plan to use in another meal that week to cut down on prep work. The final section is the recipes and many of them give tips on how to best use all your ingredients for multiple meals. While I didn't see a ton of recipes I wanted to try, I do like the premise and will think about possibly doing my own Cook 90 in the future.

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tamarkin challenges the reader to cook 90 meals in 30 days. Yes. That means pretty much everything you will eat in a month. He offers support with rules, passes and guidelines. Left-overs are planned for and sometimes converted into something different. A "Next-over." The planning tips are especially helpful for mealplanners. Thankfully, recipes, which are rather quick, are offered. They are all based on real food and processed food isn't allowed. There are exceptions for condiments and things like that.

I think the average, not-on-a-plan eater would enjoy many of the recipes. The photos were lovely and give a good idea of the finished product.

I do a lot of cooking, however, I can't see myself doing this challenge. It is nice, however, to have a month's worth of recipes ready to go.

[Alita Macias · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s funny, I don’t buy or work really from cookbooks,’so it was strange to even buy this one. The biggest takeaway from this cookbook was the concept of “next overing” not “left overing.” I hate leftovers for the most part. Quite frankly, “next overing” has transformed my cooking habits, behavior to cook more of one ingredient in one meal to repurpose into others. We’re wasting less food and having a lot of fun applying the concept into some amazing new meals. None of which are from this book, ha! Though we did enjoy the ones we tried out, some of these were too hard to pull off prepping easily with certain ingredients hard to come by without trips to multiple stores (living in a city with no car = not happening). If you want to find ways to waste less food and make your weekday life easier for cooking, this book is a good starting ground to work up from.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the premise of this book, only to realize upon reading it that I'm already pretty proficient at meal planning and doing a weekly shop, the core components of this plan. I also realized that we already did a "#cook90" in our family at the beginning of the pandemic, and still don't do as much takeout as we used to. We definitely could've benefited from making goals about variety and the tips on batch cooking "nextovers".

This book would have changed my life, however, had I gotten it while in my 20s or early 30s-- would be a good gift for young people who enjoy good food and cooking but need a nudge to be more organized and systematic about feeding themselves.

While I've been working from home, lunch has been either leftover dinner or a PBJ sandwich, so I particularly appreciate the healthy and easy lunch ideas.

[Karin Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this cookbook. While I'm not cooking the 90 meals right now, I do cook a lot. I also work a lot. Cooking is a nice release after a long workday and eating healthy is really important. But, I find myself trapped in the same old routines and sometimes, the cooking takes too long. These recipes are quick and help me use "nextovers" in clever and delicious ways. I mean, who would think of carrot flatbread as an weeknight option?

While I don't think it's the most sophisticated cookbook in the world, it's fun, quirky and it's very doable. I don't know if or when I'll do the Cook90, but I like the premise and I've also had some very tasty lentils...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook has great recipes and introduced me to the concept of cooking 90 meals in 30 days. (I didn’t actually do this, but I did kick up my cooking 😀.) The author tied in recipes using “nextovers”, wherein the cook purposely makes enough to have leftovers to design a new dish for a subsequent day. There were also helpful hints for meal planning. Some of my fav recipes: 3PM Energy Bites with Oats & Cherries; Freeform Farro Salad; Everyday Granola. I’m still cooking! I checked this book out of the library and liked it so much, I purchased one.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love, love, love this concept: challenge yourself to pretty much all your meals at home for a month, a 30 day period hence the Cook 90. This is a fantastic challenge for the new year and an added incentive to save money (which I'm focusing on) by not eating out.

Lots of good recipes. Haven't tried any yet but I've read through all of them and the instructions are excellent and I'm planning to make at least one recipe this weekend.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cook90... a challenge aimed at millenial readers to cook, or prepare, 3 simple meals a day for a month, for a total of 90 meals. Readers are encouraged to make meals at home, learn new techniques and recipes, build habits and rely on new skills to keep active in home kitchens, providing nutritious meals while saving money. Meal planning and purposely preparing extra ingredients to be used in future meals was a big portion of conversation. Program seems difficult for working individuals.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

love the idea of cooking 90 meals in a month, but MAN is it intimidating. This is the cookbook companion to a challenge called #Cook90 where Epicurious columnist Tamarkin cooks every meal (including morning coffee) at home. The recipes provided act as a guide to this practice, especially allowing you to use ingredients for multiple dishes.

i try to cook as much as possible at home, but not going to lie, i love a good night out at the end of the week!

[Mari McR · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of the book is not entirely convincing. Cook all three meals every day for 30 days? A mother and father who hold jobs with children living at home cannot find time to be AT HOME cooking those breakfast, lunch, and dinner fresh. To even be at home after school to make dinner between activities - ha! Leftovers, rather than 'nextovers,' are KING.

The premise is not realistic. Nevertheless, I found at least 15 recipes intriguing enough, so I gave the book three stars.

[Sarah Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never buy a physical copy of an Epicurious book because every time I get one from the library it is falling apart. I never have this trouble with other cookbooks from the library. However, I may pick up an ebook copy of this one because there are some interesting recipes. Although, some nutritional information would have been helpful for a book whose premise is to eat healthier by cooking all your meals at home for 30 days.

[Allesia Infante · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I take most of my cook directions from my gut instinct and the ghost of my grandma I really loved this book! Better then cravings...come on Chrissy Teigan for life! But the next overs vs left overs was amazing and the meal plan I actually wanted to follow was awesome. If you're just getting into groove of cook books Crusie down an amazon isle for this one!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, but I can't see how it's possible to do while working full time. I've given it four stars...as I definitely want to revisit this book when I'm retired and can dedicate more time to cooking that's simple -- but complicated when you think of how to share the ingredients and leftovers into dishes throughout the week for other meals.

Great concept.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cook90 completely changed my January. The recipes are so accessible and delicious. There was variety, challenge, helpful suggestions, and nearly every recipe was a complete meal, rather than just a component. I cooked more extensively from Tamarkin's Cook90 than any other cookbook before.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cracks me up that cooks have to be encouraged to cook a month of meals. It’s what generations have done for centuries! Only a handful of recipes - okay two - are worth making. Skip buying this book and use the money on a better cookbook.

[Jennifer]

My favorite cookbook discovered during the Polar Vortex of 2019! Ella and I ate our way through 5 days of cancelled school.
Recipes we repeat a lot:
Sesame Chicken and Broccoli
Pork Chop with Rosemary/fennel rub

[Tarita Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good idea. Made for people who don't cook a lot?

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay but not a very memorable book. This needed more pictures and shorter recipes.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensible, many good ideas and great recipes.

[Mattie Richards · Rating 1 out of 5]

""""""""""faster""""""""""

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasic recipes in this one!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been cooking everyday since I started reading this book. The recipes are simple, but creative and delicious. The author is fun too.

[Patricia Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great recipes and tips.