The MasterChef Cookbook

by JoAnn Cianciulli

BBC's cooking competition MasterChef has not only flourished for more than a decade (1990-2001; 2005-the present); it has spawned spin-offs in several countries. The summer 2010 will be devoted to the search for the best amateur chef in America. This companion book combines more than 100 recipes created on the show; show information and photographs. A perfect accompaniment to the weekly installments.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2010

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've watched all 3 US MasterChef shows on TV. I decided to check out this cookbook with the season one contestants featured. It's an attractive, easy to read cookbook. It was fun remembering some of the contestants and some of the challenges. Oh, yeh, the vegetarian! Oh, yeh, the guy who thought he was hot stuff!

I did like some of the helpful hints - I think I'll try putting my uncracked eggs in the poaching water before I poach them to help the whites keep their shape.

I did not try any of the recipes. I checked this out from the library so it is not my copy to keep. I'm not sure that I would try any of the recipes if it were my own cookbook. Possibly, a few of them. A lot of them looked a bit more complicated than I would normally do. A few were simpler. Many had ingredients that are a bit pricey.

What looked good to me: Baked Brie with Blackberry Sauce, Chic Macaroni and Cheese (I remembered that from the show), Chef Graham's Texas-Style Chili. Which reminds me - this was the challenge where the contestants had to name all 20 ingredients but they failed. However, the TV show did not tell us the 20 ingredients. Here they all are.

So, pretty to look at and, if you're really ambitious, possibly fun to try out.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were many recipes in here that were a little too fancy for my kitchen, but that was to be expected. There was also a lot of great inspiration and many little tips throughout the book on more simple/common culinary skills. Plus, the book begins with excellent lists on stocking your pantry and kitchen with the staples. There is even a brief section on wine parings. I love cookbooks that are more than just great recipes!

[ReadingWench · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. This book even gives you photos on what rare, medium rare, medium, medium well, and well done all look like. One particular tip I found helpful was how to poach an egg. It's not as easy as it sounds.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love watching Master Chef. I got the cookbook at a clearance sale. Love the recipes for Mike Kim's Orange Chicken with Rice, Slim Huynh's Chicken with Rice and cabbage slaw, Sheetal's blueberry reduction sauce, and Graham's chili. It even has Cat Cora's Halibut recipe that they made on season 1. Lots of extra recipes from Joe and Graham and lots of instructional tips for eggs, seafood and general preparation skills. Joe's marinara sauce is really good!

[Scottsdale Public Library]

A must-read for anyone who enjoyed the popular competitive cooking television show, this book features recipes from finalists and hosts on the show. Dishes are fun and relatively simple to prepare, and since all of the finalists from Master Chef were so different, the recipes offer a diverse approach to ingredients and cuisine.

-- Meagan

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

love cookbooks that have more than just recipes.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure how many of these recipes I will try, but the book was good. Lots of pages on food prep that will come in handy. Also, some tasty looking pasta dishes that are on my list to try!

[Meran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good recipes, most just a dressed up version of one you may already make! I'll be making many of these recipes, if not all.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some pretty tasty recipes in this one!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting cookbook

[Darren Seah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great cookbook with lots of easy recipes that turn out