Book Reviews: The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001 - 2024

I finally ordered The Complete America's Test Kitchen cookbook. I am glad I waited because I ended up being able to order the most recent edition. This HUGE cookbook is full of amazing recipes, all of the extra tips and information they include in the show, and many photos of the finished dishes. I highly recommend this 1,200+ page cookbook.

The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001 - 2024: Every Recipe and Product Rating From the Most Watched Cooking Show on Public TV

America's Test Kitchen has been a popular food show on the PBS channel for many years. They've been described as using "culinary science" and familiar cooking techniques to create delicious recipes. While I don't understand culinary science, I can agree that this is what they do. I just watched an episode this morning where they discussed the benefits of overcooking certain vegetables (eggplant, beans, and broccoli) to release certain properties and to bring out certain flavors. Each of those vegetables were releasing different ingredients. I don't understand that. But I love that they explain it briefly, while giving a delicious recipe that even I could make.

The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001 - 2024: Every Recipe and Product Rating From the Most Watched Cooking Show on Public TV is a HUGE cookbook. It is advertised as:

• nearly 2,000 recipes from 24 seasons
• updated shopping guide for equipment and ingrediants
• notes and tips from the Test Kitchen Chefs
• 1280 pages
• Weighs 8 lbs and measures 8.63 x 2.38 x 11.25
• approximately 4.6/4.7 out of 5 stars review on Amazon/Goodreads (at the time I am writing this). It seems that deductions were related to damage during shipping and those who do not like the size of the book.

Did I mention that this book is HUGE? Some of the reviews on Amazon state that they don't like the size and weight of the book. I don't mind that. I love that all of the recipes from 24 TV seasons are included.  I like the print size (not too small), the paper quality (glossy and thick), and that there are photos on almost every page (either of the recipe or the instructional, how-to photos). 

Personal Thoughts:

I love watching America's Test Kitchen. I am not good in the kitchen so I appreciate how they explain what they are doing and why. I appreciate that many of their recipes are made with ingredients that I can find versus more exotic or hard to find ingredients.  

America's Test Kitchen does use many gadgets at times: food processors, certain pots or pans, etc. And I don't have those things. But, there are many, many recipes that utilize the things that I already have in my kitchen. 

I finally ordered this book, the newest edition, after watching a show with the Vegetable Bibimbap recipe. This is an "iconic Korean dish". Or, in my thoughts, a rice dish with good flavor and lots of vegetable options; vegetables I hope to grow in my garden this year. In the cookbook (page 572), the paragraph "why this recipe works" talks about the origin of the recipe and substituting a cast-iron dutch oven for the traditional stone bowl. I can hardly wait to try this recipe! I enjoy rice and vegetables, one-pot meals, and I like to try easy - but different - flavors. 

I am so thrilled that I finally purchased this cookbook. And that by the time I purchased it, the newest edition was available. I am not bothered by the weight and size of the book. I am very happy that the tips, notes, and substitutions discussed on the show episodes are included in the book.

I hope to use this book to do more garden-to-table cooking and become more successful in the kitchen. I highly recommend this cookbook.

Related Links:

The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001 - 2024: Every Recipe and Product Rating From the Most Watched Cooking Show on Public TV on Amazon 

The official America's Test Kitchen website which includes information about joining and what their membership includes. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Cookbook Review - Farm to Table Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes Made with Farm-Fresh Ingredients

I was thrilled when I recently won an item during a homestead giveaway. Even more thrilled when I learned it was the Farm to Table Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes Made with Farm-Fresh Ingredients. This cookbook is full of recipes for those farm fresh items that you've grown or that you've purchased from the local farmer's market. 

Learning to grow and prepare more of my own fresh vegetables is a goal of mine. I like vegetables, I just don't have a wide repertoire of vegetable recipes. I grew up with a vegetable menu limited to potatoes, green beans, peas, and carrots for the most part. As an adult, I branched out and found that I love summer squash, roasted beets, spinach and different varieties of tomatoes. But I still either haven't tasted, or don't know how to prepare, things such as bok choy, kale, winter squash varieties, okra, and other vegetables that are a staple in some kitchens. 

Farm To Table Cookbook

Farm to Table Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes Made with Farm-Fresh Ingredients is 180+ pages of recipes geared specifically toward using ingredients directly from the farm or garden.

"Whether your farm is your backyard, garden, a farmer's market, a CSA box, the community garden or a local farm, this book will help you make the most out of your bounty. From hearty breakfasts, satisfying sandwiches and impressive entrees to homemade breads, sharable snacks and decadent desserts, you'll find everything you need to pile your table high with simple farmhouse goodness" - back cover of Farm to Table

Some of the recipes that immediately catch my eye are:

Kale Fittata with Bacon - with an abundance of eggs from my chickens I already have the majority of ingredients for this recipe here at home. If I learn that I don't care for kale, I imagine that spinach would be a good substitute.

Farmer's Market Grilled Chowder - includes corn, potato, zucchini, and onion in a cheesy/creamy broth. The photo makes my mouth water.

Butternut Bisque - I only very recently learned that I love the taste of roasted butternut so I am looking forward to finding more ways to prepare it. This looks creamy and delicous (and easy!)

Spinach Noodle Bowl with Ginger - vermicelli noodles, carrots, snow peas, spinach, and meet (shrimp or cooked chicken) with soy sauce and ginger is definitely a recipe I'm excited to try.

Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Savory Herb Butter - I've watched gnocchi being made on some of the cooking shows but haven't been brave enough to try. I LOVE the idea of butternut gnocchi.

These are just the first five recipes that I've bookmarked for myself. I hope to become more successful at both raising a variety of my own vegetables and then being able to cook tasty, healthy meals. I know that my health would improve with consuming fewer pre-made foods that contain preservatives and this book is helping in my next step toward eating farm fresh foods. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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