Koncocoo

Best Herb, Spice & Condiment Cooking

The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs
Readers will learn to work more intuitively and effectively with ingredients; experiment with temperature and texture; excite the nose and palate with herbs, spices, and other seasonings; and balance the sensual, emotional, and spiritual elements of an extraordinary meal. An alphabetical index of flavors and ingredients, the book allows readers to search complimentary combinations for a particular ingredient (over 70 flavors go well with chickpeas; over 100 are listed for oranges), emphasizing the classics (chives with eggs, nutmeg with cream, sardines and olive oil, etc.).
Reviews
"A must have book for anyone who enjoys cooking."
"The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs. Amazing book, always fun to experiment with different ingredients."
"It's really the Bible of cooking I like this book."
"I don't know why I didn't buy this book before."
"If you know how to cook, this may be the best cookbook out there."
"Purchased this for my mother for Christmas, if you are looking for a cookbook this does not have a bunch of recipes its more of a guide on how to use specific flavor profiles."
"A must have for cooking lovers."
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Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies That Heal
Imagine being prepared for that next cold, scrape, headache, digestive issue, stressful day, or sleepless night with simple ingredients from your cupboard. Alchemy of Herbs will show you how to transform common ingredients into foods and remedies that heal. While using herbs can often seem complicated or costly, this book offers a way to learn that’s as simple and inexpensive as cooking dinner. With the guidance of herbalist Rosalee de la Forêt , you’ll understand how to match the properties of each plant to your own unique needs, for a truly personalized approach to health for you and your family. In addition to offering dozens of inspiring recipes, Rosalee examines the history and modern-day use of 29 popular herbs, supporting their healing properties with both scientific studies and in-depth research into herbal energetics. Drawn in by the abundant, delicious recipes, you may come to this book as a home chef, but you will leave as an herbalist, transformed by the power of Rosalee’s alchemy.”. — Guido Masé , author of The Wild Medicine Solution and DIY Bitters. And now, by combining ancient wisdom with modern scientific understanding, Rosalee de la Forêt helps you put nature’s pharmacy to work. “It’s rare to find a writer who can describe complex ideas with such clarity and skill that anyone can grasp their subject— Rosalee de la Forêt is one of those souls. “I first met Rosalee de la Forêt several years ago and was immediately impressed with her knowledge, passion for herbal medicine, and ability to clearly communicate this information. “So many books geared toward those just beginning to explore the world of medicinal plants offer very basic ‘take this herb for that problem’ information, under the assumption that the foundational underpinnings of herbalism are somehow ‘too hard’ for beginners to grasp. Here, in plain English, Rosalee de la Forêt shows us that the way that herbalists choose herbs for individual people with particular imbalances isn’t some magical power or a skill attainable only by those who can devote their lives to intense study. As an experienced educator and practitioner, she weaves together tradition, experience, and science to present a holistic view of each of the plants, while providing specific and practical advice for how you can bring them into your home and life. This is a book you will want to leave sitting out on your desk, coffee table, and kitchen counter, all at the same time.”. — Kristine Brown, RH(AHG) , herbalist and author/illustrator of Herbal Roots Zine. Rosalee de la Forêt 's sophisticated approach and her personal experience with herbs comes through in her beautiful recipes, which eloquently combine food and herbal medicine. She unveils the enchanting, yet readily accessible world of herbalism that makes me fall right back in love with the plant kingdom; and you will too!”. — Dina Falconi , herbalist and author of Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook. “In her wonderfully written book, Alchemy of Herbs , Rosalee de la Forêt encourages the reader to 'break free from the insanity of the One-Solution Syndrome' by choosing personalized herbal formulations based on what our own senses tell us our bodies need. Self-empowerment begins in the kitchen as Rosalee tempts us with dozens of mouth-watering recipes and encourages us to ‘move forward with the mind-set of an explorer.’ Those new to plant-based healing as well as experienced herbalists will find that this beautifully illustrated book exemplifies the heart and soul of herbal healing through delicious food as powerful medicine.”. — Jeff Carpenter , author of The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer: The Ultimate Guide to Producing High-Quality Herbs on a Market Scale. Rosalee de la Forêt shares concepts like energetics and taste in such a way that makes it easier for people to understand them, and how to find which herbs are best for them as individuals. Her book is unique in that it explains both the chemistry and the energetics of medicinal herbs and at the same time introduces their use in a friendly and inviting way.”. — Holly Bellebuono , author of The Healing Kitchen and The Essential Herbal for Natural Health. “ Rosalee de la Forêt 's book is an excellent introduction to the energetics and science behind the use of our most common culinary and medicinal herbs, providing the reader with a solid foundation for further learning and exploration.”. — Todd Caldecott, Dip.
Reviews
"The foundational content includes an explanation about how herbs serve individuals unlike our current system of One Solution Syndrome for everyone (take a pill for this and then take a pill for that), a well-explained overview of the energetics of herbs and deep dive into the tastes of herbs - which is my favorite part. Another aspect I like about the recipes is that they are all very doable: no specialized equipment, no huge orders of exotic herbs and spices and no tricky culinary skills required. She also employs safety and caution and gives specific examples of what some herbs can do (because yes, they really work!)."
"And of course that "new book smell" Just knowing some Herbs and ID'ing them is one thing, but learning ways to actually USE them (aside from plain old tisanes, tinctures and salves) is a real treasure!"
"Love Love Love this book!!"
"I started adding more pepper to my meals knowing I was increasing the availability and absorption of vital nutrients from my foods, I put cinnamon in my tea."
"I can't say enough about this book."
"Rosalee has gathered all her amazing, intuitive, research-backed knowledge of herbs and put them at our fingertips."
"A great read for my introduction into understanding and using herbs."
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The Homemade Vegan Pantry: The Art of Making Your Own Staples
The Homemade Vegan Pantry raises the bar on plant-based cuisine, not only for vegans and vegetarians, but also for the growing number of Americans looking to eat lighter and healthier, and anyone interested in a handcrafted approach to food. It is a beautiful book that would make a great gift for any occasion.” — Alicia Silverstone, vegan activist, actress, and author of The Kind Diet and The Kind Mama “Showcasing a mouthwatering array of condiments, stocks, pastas, classic comfort foods, and more, The Homemade Vegan Pantry will show you how fun and delicious it can be to make your favorite food staples at home.
Reviews
"There is a reason that Miyoko's recipes for vegan cheese come out so good - she actually sells her vegan cheese online. With this book you can make your own ketchup, butter, unribs, unsteak, unchicken, vegan fish sauce, and teriyaki sauce! I am sharing pictures of a pizza I made with the vegan mozzarella cheese from this book, a pork chop I made using the Unpork recipe, and tofu red curry I made where the essential ingredient was Miyoko's vegan fish sauce. You can make ice cream or gelato or sorbet, homemade jam, mustard, and mayonnaise, bread, crackers and cakes - the list of different recipes this book incorporates can really stock your entire vegan pantry. If you are a fan of seafood but are vegan and haven't found good recipes that incorporate the flavors you have been missing, Miyoko has a whole section of this book dedicated to vegan seafood. You can make vegan fish, crab cakes, chowder - even vegan fish sauce! This book is absolutely the most comprehensive and detailed recipe guide I have found to vegan cooking."
"This is not a "quick fix" book BUT - if you like slow food, homemade food or cooking from scratch (especially if it's easy) this is your book. This is an amazing book - I've threatened to cook all the recipes in a book before but this time - I think I'm going to do it."
"But quite a few I rarely use because they have either light print - hard to read unless in the best of light - or dust covers that keep falling off and recipes/ingredients too complicated for every day cooking. Even the smallest print can be read in the worst light (which is often the time I'm cooking) and the lovely rustic photo is on the hard cover - no dust cover falling off or getting in the way."
"Worth the price just for the unrib recipes and BBQ sauce alone!"
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Best Herbs, Spices & Condiments in Cooking

Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies That Heal
Imagine being prepared for that next cold, scrape, headache, digestive issue, stressful day, or sleepless night with simple ingredients from your cupboard. Alchemy of Herbs will show you how to transform common ingredients into foods and remedies that heal. While using herbs can often seem complicated or costly, this book offers a way to learn that’s as simple and inexpensive as cooking dinner. With the guidance of herbalist Rosalee de la Forêt , you’ll understand how to match the properties of each plant to your own unique needs, for a truly personalized approach to health for you and your family. In addition to offering dozens of inspiring recipes, Rosalee examines the history and modern-day use of 29 popular herbs, supporting their healing properties with both scientific studies and in-depth research into herbal energetics. Drawn in by the abundant, delicious recipes, you may come to this book as a home chef, but you will leave as an herbalist, transformed by the power of Rosalee’s alchemy.” — Guido Masé , author of The Wild Medicine Solution and DIY Bitters. And now, by combining ancient wisdom with modern scientific understanding, Rosalee de la Forêt helps you put nature’s pharmacy to work. “It’s rare to find a writer who can describe complex ideas with such clarity and skill that anyone can grasp their subject— Rosalee de la Forêt is one of those souls. “I first met Rosalee de la Forêt several years ago and was immediately impressed with her knowledge, passion for herbal medicine, and ability to clearly communicate this information. “So many books geared toward those just beginning to explore the world of medicinal plants offer very basic ‘take this herb for that problem’ information, under the assumption that the foundational underpinnings of herbalism are somehow ‘too hard’ for beginners to grasp. Here, in plain English, Rosalee de la Forêt shows us that the way that herbalists choose herbs for individual people with particular imbalances isn’t some magical power or a skill attainable only by those who can devote their lives to intense study. As an experienced educator and practitioner, she weaves together tradition, experience, and science to present a holistic view of each of the plants, while providing specific and practical advice for how you can bring them into your home and life. This is a book you will want to leave sitting out on your desk, coffee table, and kitchen counter, all at the same time.” — Kristine Brown, RH(AHG) , herbalist and author/illustrator of Herbal Roots Zine. Rosalee de la Forêt 's sophisticated approach and her personal experience with herbs comes through in her beautiful recipes, which eloquently combine food and herbal medicine. She unveils the enchanting, yet readily accessible world of herbalism that makes me fall right back in love with the plant kingdom; and you will too!” — Dina Falconi , herbalist and author of Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook. “In her wonderfully written book, Alchemy of Herbs , Rosalee de la Forêt encourages the reader to 'break free from the insanity of the One-Solution Syndrome' by choosing personalized herbal formulations based on what our own senses tell us our bodies need. Self-empowerment begins in the kitchen as Rosalee tempts us with dozens of mouth-watering recipes and encourages us to ‘move forward with the mind-set of an explorer.’ Those new to plant-based healing as well as experienced herbalists will find that this beautifully illustrated book exemplifies the heart and soul of herbal healing through delicious food as powerful medicine.” — Jeff Carpenter , author of The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer: The Ultimate Guide to Producing High-Quality Herbs on a Market Scale. Rosalee de la Forêt shares concepts like energetics and taste in such a way that makes it easier for people to understand them, and how to find which herbs are best for them as individuals. Her book is unique in that it explains both the chemistry and the energetics of medicinal herbs and at the same time introduces their use in a friendly and inviting way.” — Holly Bellebuono , author of The Healing Kitchen and The Essential Herbal for Natural Health. “ Rosalee de la Forêt 's book is an excellent introduction to the energetics and science behind the use of our most common culinary and medicinal herbs, providing the reader with a solid foundation for further learning and exploration.” — Todd Caldecott, Dip.
Reviews
"The foundational content includes an explanation about how herbs serve individuals unlike our current system of One Solution Syndrome for everyone (take a pill for this and then take a pill for that), a well-explained overview of the energetics of herbs and deep dive into the tastes of herbs - which is my favorite part. Another aspect I like about the recipes is that they are all very doable: no specialized equipment, no huge orders of exotic herbs and spices and no tricky culinary skills required. She also employs safety and caution and gives specific examples of what some herbs can do (because yes, they really work!)."
"And of course that "new book smell" Just knowing some Herbs and ID'ing them is one thing, but learning ways to actually USE them (aside from plain old tisanes, tinctures and salves) is a real treasure!"
"This is an awesome, thorough book on herbs, health, natural remedies, healthy recipes and foods that heal. If you suffer from a chronic health condition like inflammation or diabetes, this book covers those issues as well as helpful natural remedies for treating them. I love that the book is so current, and it really gives insight into the actions of different herbs and foods on our minds amd bodies."
"Love Love Love this book!!"
"I started adding more pepper to my meals knowing I was increasing the availability and absorption of vital nutrients from my foods, I put cinnamon in my tea."
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Best Tailgating Cooking

Real BBQ: The Ultimate Step-By-Step Smoker Cookbook
Recipes in this smoker cookbook include: Beer Can Chicken, Hickory-Smoked Pork Belly, "All Day Long" Smoked Beef Brisket, Beach Barbecue Lobster Tails, Coffee-Rubbed Buffalo Steak, and so much more! Previously, he served as a web producer for Bon Appétit and Epicurious, and as an editor at The Daily Meal, where he ran the test kitchen.
Reviews
"My favorite part of the book is Part One which is Smoking Fundamentals. Once you get pass Part One then here comes the good part: Part Two: Let's Smoke Meat."
"Not only does it have tons of great recipes for all kinds of meats, sauces, rubs and fish but it actually teaches the reader how to smoke protein and vegetables the right way."
"This book would make a great gift for any family member you feel would love to try their hand at real BBQ cooking."
"After sharing the different types of smokers, what the process of smoking does to meats, the cuts that are best for smoking, and types of woods, Real BBQ dives into a collection of recipes that are gathered by meat type they pertain to."
"I am also a pretty picky eater... but everything in this book sounds amazing and I cannot wait to try!!! I don't usually purchase cookbooks - because I find everything on the internet and save the space books take up around my house.. but that's the beauty of Kindle Editions!"
"My family loves BBQ, but we could never seem to get quite the same taste at home, that we did at BBQ restaurants and now I know why!"
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Best Professional Cooking

The Professional Chef
Now, the ninth edition features an all-new, user-friendly design that guides readers through each cooking technique, starting with a basic formula, outlining the method at-a-glance, offering expert tips, covering each method with beautiful step-by-step photography, and finishing with recipes that use the basic techniques. "Well-researched and documented, The Culinary Institute of America's latest offering includes the essential tools to become a successful modern chef. " The Professional Chef continues to be an incredibly valuable reference guide that we keep handy in all our restaurant kitchens." "This important book is a classic resource, an indispensable reference for both the professional and serious home cook."
Reviews
"Despite learning much on my own over the years, I wanted slightly more information on technique and skill than can often be seen in cooking videos and TV shows. It is filled with pages of incredibly useful information, such as various cooking methods, different proteins and their cuts, how to identify grains and spices, how to cook what, and so much more - really, everything you need to know. If you don't need to cook for more than yourself and one other person, be prepared to learn how to scale down (learning is never a bad thing)."
"As Monsieur Paul says, it's the Bible for all chefs including amateurs (me :))."
"A must-have if you're serious about cooking."
"Got this for my boyfriend and he loved it!"
"This was a gift for my boyfriend who was graduating from culinary school.....He absolutely loves this book."
"This was a gift."
"Bought this book for my husband."
"Great book for pros."
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Best Vietnamese Cooking, Food & Wine

Vietnamese Home Cooking
In his eagerly awaited first cookbook, award-winning chef Charles Phan from San Francisco's Slanted Door restaurant introduces traditional Vietnamese cooking to home cooks by focusing on fundamental techniques and ingredients. But the ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, and sambal oelek—a prepared red chile paste that is readily available at most grocery stores—make them different than the standard cucumber pickle. 1 pound English cucumbers, halved lengthwise and cut on the diagonal into -inch-thick slices 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely julienned 1 to 2 fresh Thai chiles, stemmed, seeded, and julienned 4 cups rice vinegar 1¼ cups sugar 1½ teaspoons sambal chile paste, also known as sambal oelek ½ cup toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns ¼ cup whole dried red chiles, such as árbol. Transfer to a bowl, add the ginger and fresh Thai chiles, and toss to mix.
Reviews
"Interesting book....recipes are easy to follow but cooking Vietnamese food can be complicated."
"Any competent 8 year-old could make it, it keeps for months, and the combination might well stun you: toss it with some shrimp and scallions, and dinner is READY. If you take the time to make the utterly porkalicious stock first, and find really fresh coconuts, jaws will drop. Uniquely for an Asian cookbook, it specifies good-quality, sustainable (pastured, grass-fed, etc) ingredients, even when making stock, and clearly explains why."
"Recently moved to southern Florida from orange county calif."
"great book particularly if you are a novice when it comes to Vietnamese cooking."
"excellent recipes and very good instructions."
"I love that the author shares that he makes his chicken broth for his wife and family and love that he shares about his family."
"This is absolutely the best Vietnamese cookbook and if you follow the recipes it is mich better than eating at The Slanted Door in SAN Francisco which has dumbed down his recipes for the public."
"He made me feel the streets of Vietnam, its rhythms, its soul .I have been reading this like a novel, a history, a love story."
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Best Cooking, Food & Wine Reference

The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs
Readers will learn to work more intuitively and effectively with ingredients; experiment with temperature and texture; excite the nose and palate with herbs, spices, and other seasonings; and balance the sensual, emotional, and spiritual elements of an extraordinary meal. An alphabetical index of flavors and ingredients, the book allows readers to search complimentary combinations for a particular ingredient (over 70 flavors go well with chickpeas; over 100 are listed for oranges), emphasizing the classics (chives with eggs, nutmeg with cream, sardines and olive oil, etc.).
Reviews
"The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs. Amazing book, always fun to experiment with different ingredients."
"Indispensable book for me as a food writer and recipe developer."
"It's really the Bible of cooking I like this book."
"I don't know why I didn't buy this book before."
"If you know how to cook, this may be the best cookbook out there."
"As someone who fell in love with cooking rather late in life, this book is a fabulous reference!"
"If you dig cooking and/or baking and love working with interesting flavor pairings, get this book!"
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Best Cooking Education & Reference

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking
New York Times Bestseller. Named one of the Best Books of 2017 by NPR, Buzzfeed, The. Atlantic , The. Washington Post , Chicago Tribune , Rachel Ray Every Day , San Francisco Chronicle , Vice Munchies, Elle.com, Glamour , Eater, Newsday, Minneapolis Star Tribune , The Seattle Times , Tampa Bay Times , Tasting Table, Modern Farmer , Publishers Weekly, and more. Refer to the canon of 100 essential recipes—and dozens of variations—to put the lessons into practice and make bright, balanced vinaigrettes, perfectly caramelized roast vegetables, tender braised meats, and light, flaky pastry doughs. "Just reading Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will make you a better cook, adept at seasoning, balancing, understanding what it really is you’re doing and why... Make room on the bedside table—and the countertop." "My favorite metacookbook...[Nosrat] offers a beautifully simple checklist for ensuring a dish ends up in a good place...This is the book of cooking grammar that so many novices would benefit from... Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is written smoothly and casually, and kept breezy via charming watercolors by the perceptive Bay Area artist Wendy MacNaughton...Nosrat’s book would be of value both to people who don’t consider themselves cooks and to people actively striving to become better ones." "A cookbook that will make you a better cook...with helpful, charming illustrations from artist Wendy MacNaughton." Samin Nosrat just published “Salt Fat Acid Heat — Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking” and I daresay this one is essential...That’s the fabulous thing about this book — it teaches readers about cooking, how to employ various techniques, and how to grasp that any subtle variations in technique can have significant impacts upon our end results. It is possible to learn how to cook great food...This book is bound to become an indispensable addition to cookbook shelves throughout America." "Nosrat’s beautiful, approachable book demonstrates how these four are the only elements necessary to make delicious meals anywhere, any time."
Reviews
"Best text about cooking I've ever read."
"I've always loved the "why" in cooking and baking (like the Cooks Illustrated approach and The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science) - but I love that she narrows it down to four basic elements. But this books and others, like Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking are important because they give you the tools to innovate and recipes become starting points. I wish I had this book 20 years ago when I started seriously cooking."
"I love the fold out on p. 193 "what should I cook" that advises to go back and read the book through before you practice...a brilliant observation that the book is about "the journey, not the destination" as are so many things we pursue and experience."
"This cookbook goes into detail about how the four elements, salt, fat, acid and heat, are used to create great dishes!"
"Not a collection of recipes, though the book does contain recipes, but a clear, thoughtful and good humored explanation of the major elements of cooking -- salt, fat, acid and heat."
"Colorful doodles keep you engaged and having fun while learning, as well as a helpful guide on what to always have stocked in terms of spices and bare necessity kitchen utensils."
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Best Aztec History

Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs
In this astonishing work of scholarship that reads like an edge-of-your-seat adventure thriller, acclaimed historian Buddy Levy records the last days of the Aztec empire and the two men at the center of an epic clash of cultures perhaps unequaled to this day. "For sheer drama, no age compares to the age of exploration, no explorers compare to the conquistadors and no conquistador compares to Hernan Cortes. In Buddy Levy’s finely wrought and definitive Conquistador , the worlds of Cortes and Montezuma collide and come to life. "—Neal Bascomb, author of Red Mutiny: Eleven Fateful Days on the Battleship Potemkin "A century before the Mayflower, a single man settled the destiny of the Americas far more momentously than the Puritans ever could.... Conquistador offers a fascinating account of the first and most decisive of those encounters: the one between the impetuous Spanish adventurer Cortés and Montezuma, the ill-starred emperor of the Aztecs.... [An] almost unbelievable story of missionary zeal, greed, cruelty and courage.
Reviews
"I very interesting perspective on Cortez and the conquest of Mexico."
"I studied Cortez in HS and never learned any details."
"Nonetheless, Conquistador is a detailed and quick read on the conquest of Tenochtitlan and a closer look at the man Cortes."
"Deep insights into the cruel and narcissistic genius of Cortez and how guns, germs and steel brought Mexico to heal."
"I enjoyed the book."
"Academics can sometimes be critical when an author succeeds in providing clear and fluid writing with wonderful character development verses heavy factual nuances not relative to the real experience."
"A thumping good read...as they say."
"And the author doesn't pull punches; all the barbarous faults of individuals, peoples, and cultures are detailed with all the warts and without the modern hand-wringing revisionism."
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