The Joy of Better Cooking by Alice Zaslavsky is a vibrant kitchen manual aimed at helping people become more confident and intuitive cooks. It focuses on practical tips, reducing food waste, and making cooking enjoyable rather than intimidating. The book is praised for its adaptable recipes, veg-forward approach, and practical advice for both beginners and experienced cooks.
The Joy of Better Cooking by Alice Zaslavsky is a unique cookbook that stands out from traditional ones. It's designed to teach less confident cooks how to modify recipes using what they have on hand, rather than following strict instructions. The book is organized into sections like 'Slapdash' for quick meals and 'Loosen Your Shoulders' for weekend cooking, making it accessible for all skill levels. It emphasizes adaptability, reducing food waste, and enjoying the cooking process. The recipes are accompanied by clear instructions and beautiful photography, making it a great gift for anyone looking to improve their cooking skills. The book also includes practical tips and tricks to help cooks grow in confidence and creativity. Overall, it's a valuable resource for anyone wanting to enjoy cooking more and waste less food.
Quick quotes
The book embraces ingredient substitutions and alternatives for hard-to-source ingredients;
Many people are afraid of cooking because they missed out on learning from home or at school, and don’t have ‘the flying hours under their belt’ to achieve products which take years of cooking practice to make.
Better cooks, she says, are always willing to try new things — and classic old things — and look at recipe photos and just make the rest up.