The Milk Street Cookbook: The Definitive Guide to the New Home Cooking, Including Every Recipe from Every Episode of the TV Show, 2017-2020

by Christopher Kimball

Christopher Kimball's Milk Street airs to 1.5 million viewers weekly on public television stations across America, and this book is the complete, up-to-date compendium of recipes for the show's fans.
This cookbook contains more than 300 recipes, 75 of which are brand new from the latest season of the TV show, that show you how to cook the Milk Street way: with bolder flavors, healthier ingredients, and simpler techniques. And because they're from Christopher Kimball, you can trust them to work.
At Milk Street, there are no long lists of hard-to-find ingredients, strange cookware, or all day methods. Instead, you'll find recipes that deliver big flavors and textures fast and with simple techniques:

Thai Fried Rice
Cacio e Pepe
Charred Brussels Sprouts
Harissa Roasted Potatoes
Cape Malay Chicken Curry
And even Central Mexican Guacamole and Israeli Hummus--classics with a twist!

Organized by type of dish--from salads, soups, grains, and vegetable sides to simple dinners and 21st century desserts--this new edition promises to change the way you cook forever.

Welcome to the new home cooking. Welcome to Milk Street.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction

576 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Amber]

This is a very neat/informative book. I like how it is arranged and the pictures. I really believe I can make these recipes successfully at home. The only drawback to me is the recipes do not include the nutritional information. Many people would love to have that to determine if the caloric intake versus the nutritional benefits are a good balance for them.

[Laura]

I've never watched the show, but am a big fan of Cook's Illustrated and Kimball's work. So I was very excited to check this out. It's kind of like an international, more exotic Cook's Illustrated. There is a pantry chapter, and when techniques are very specific, they are explained and illustrated. I also thought that the introductions to the recipes were very interesting, and found the recipes generally easy to prepare and the times given for prep to be pretty accurate. While my family wouldn't put this in heavy rotation, this could be a good weeknight cookbook for some people/families.

My favorite chapter was vegetables. They have a crushed cucumber salad recipe and a few potato salad recipes that are worth checking out. Simple ingredients, but not everyday taste. The cooking here is generally very hands on, and there isn't any nutrition information. For that reason, I only gave 4 stars.

[Becky R.]

Not as good as Cooks Country, which I know this breaks from, yet shares similar features between the two. Milk Street looks at more international recipes, which is great, but I do like the organization and simple images included in Cooks Country. I will use some of these recipes, for sure and appreciate getting a more global perspective on great food.

[Kate]

Most recipes are pretty complicated, not pantry friendly and labor intensive. Being a family of adventurous eaters, I'm not usually daunted by tackling something new but most of these seemed not worth the effort.

[Lisa Anita]

I haven’t seen the TV show, but with Christopher Kimball’s name on this cookbook I knew the recipes would be good.

Things I like about this cookbook:
-full color photos of every recipe
-easy to follow format with ingredients on the side and instructions in easy-to-read columns.
-thorough instructions that aren’t too wordy
-time estimates for both how long the whole process will take and how much of that time you are actively cooking
-a good mix of quick recipes with some that are more involved
-a good balance in recipes with 3/4 savory foods and 1/4 breads desserts

I have tried 4 recipes and all were excellent. The brown butter cardamom banana bread was absolutely perfect and the spicy red lentil stew with coconut milk and spinach had lovely flavors and was very filling.

I re-seasoned my carbon steel pan following the instructions in this book and the non-stick feature was much improved.

[Elizabeth]

Not impressed with the quality of recipes in this book and I am a devotee of Cooks Illustrated. Also like cooking international recipes which this has in abundance. I made the Three-Cup Chicken, which somehow calls for 12 cloves of garlic but which tasted entirely flavorless when we sat down to eat. Huge disappointment and I was mocked by my asian family members when I told them that I'd gotten this Taiwanese-inspired dish from a book written by white people. Ha!
I think this one's a swing and a miss for Kimball. If you're looking for international recipes, go straight to the source.

[Patricia Romero]

I grabbed this book on the way out of the library and am so happy I did!

Full of delicious recipes from the show and even more. Full of spice and flavor with the strangest combinations turning out the best!

I love the show and you will love this book! Very easy but packed with flavor!

[Sara]

Not exactly what I was expecting. After coming across the show and seeing some recipes online, I was eager to check this book out. I’m not sure if I’m actually going to try anything from the book but I do recommend the show.

[Gayle Kassay]

Good innovative cookbook

I have been watching Milkstreet on PBS. Ordered cookbook covering 3 years of the show. Great recipes with innovative style. Totally enjoyed it and will make many of the recipes.

[Catherine]

Thus far, excellent recipes. Clear, concise, and most importantly - DELICIOUS!

[Kendra]

This is one of the best diverse cookbooks I have ever had. It’s easy to follow and allows you to explore unfamiliar cuisine without being intimidating.

[Emily]

Very upscale dishes that all looked fantastic!

[Maureen]

Some recipes I'd like to try and just as many I wasn't interested in. Glad this was a library book and not a purchase.

[Meg]

Excellent cookbook with clear explanations and beautiful photos.
I've made 15-20 recipes from here and they've all turned out well.

[Kelly]

Great book filled with numerous recipes that I want to try.

[Dray]

I was surprised at the creativity and breadth of this large cookbook. For a mainstream tv show i find them much more innovative than test kitchen and such. recommended.

[Mskychick]

Found 1 recipe I want to make, or rather adapt, from the whole cookbook: baked French toast infused with liquor