The Art of Simple Food: Notes on Source and Quality for the Passionate Home Cook

by Alice Waters
The Art of Simple Food: Notes on Source and Quality for the Passionate Home Cook cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Technical
  • ID: 5303
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-23
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
excellent 4.50

The Art of Simple Food is praised for its comprehensive approach to cooking, offering a wide range of basic recipes and in-depth technique explanations. The book is organized into two sections, making it a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced cooks.

The Art of Simple Food is highly recommended for its thorough and accessible approach to cooking. The book is divided into two main sections: "Starting from Scratch" and "At the Table." The first section provides detailed explanations of cooking techniques, such as pastry making and slow cooking, which are essential for understanding the fundamentals. The second section offers a variety of basic recipes, from biscuits to roast beef, making it a comprehensive guide for everyday cooking. The book's unique structure and detailed instructions make it an excellent resource for anyone looking to develop their cooking skills.

Quick quotes

    The book is organized in two sections, “Starting from Scratch: Lessons & Foundation Recipes” and “At the Table: Recipes for Cooking Every Day.

    The book has a great breadth of basic recipes like biscuits, mashed potatoes, roast beef, and chocolate cake.

    I love this book. I’ve made the aforementioned chicken noodle soup recipe many times when I was sick.

reviews.rebeccareid.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
fantastic 4.50

The Art of Simple Food is a collection of books that emphasizes the importance of eating locally and sustainably. The books offer a wealth of information on cooking techniques, ingredient selection, and seasonal eating, making them a valuable resource for home cooks and foodies. The recipes are simple yet delicious, and the books are beautifully written, making them a pleasure to read and cook from.

The Art of Simple Food is a collection of books that has made a significant impact on the way Americans think about food. The books focus on the importance of eating locally and sustainably, and offer a wealth of information on cooking techniques, ingredient selection, and seasonal eating. The recipes are simple yet delicious, and the books are beautifully written, making them a pleasure to read and cook from. The first book, The Art of Simple Food I, is a comprehensive guide to cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients. It offers 19 culinary lessons and more than 250 recipes that illustrate how easy it is to eat wonderfully well if you cook, eat, and live by the fundamental guidelines outlined in the book. The second book, The Art of Simple Food II, builds on the themes of the first book by incorporating the garden into the cooking process. It offers 200 new recipes that showcase the many delicious varieties of vegetables, fruits, and herbs that can be cultivated in your own kitchen garden or found at your local farmers' market.

Quick quotes

    The simplicity and approach of recipes are reminiscent of the way our grandmothers might have cooked, without a recipe and from the knowledge of how food behaves.

    The book is arranged into two parts. Part one, the larger section, is about garden grown ingredients and accompanying recipes.

    The Art of Simple Food is not just a collection of delicious recipes. This is a collection of books that home cooks and foodies will want to read, to cook from, and to share with family and friends.

kitchenreview.substack.com · Unknown · 2025-10-23
inspiring 4.50

The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters is praised for its focus on healthy, organic, and local eating. The book emphasizes simplicity and fresh ingredients, promoting a sustainable and seasonal approach to cooking. It's recommended as a staple for any kitchen where healthy eating is a priority.

The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters is a highly regarded cookbook that focuses on healthy, organic, and local eating. The book is praised for its simplicity and emphasis on fresh ingredients, reminiscent of traditional home cooking. Waters' approach promotes sustainable and seasonal cooking, encouraging readers to form a deeper connection with their food sources. The recipes are straightforward and practical, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in healthy eating. The book is recommended as a staple for any kitchen where healthy eating is a priority, and it's particularly appreciated for its practical advice on growing, harvesting, and preparing food. The reviewer highly recommends this book for its inspiring and practical approach to cooking.

Quick quotes

    The recipes aren’t groundbreaking, but the simplicity and approach is reminiscent of the way your grandma might have cooked, without a recipe and from the knowledge of how food behaves.

    Waters mantra is to eat locally and sustainably, eat seasonally, and shop at farmers markets where possible.

    I highly recommend this book as a staple for any kitchen where this message is aspiration or already a way of life.

thecookingworld.com · Unknown · 2021-10-04
excellent 4.50

The Art of Simple Food is praised for its practical advice and emphasis on quality ingredients. It's seen as a valuable resource for both novice and experienced home cooks.

The Art of Simple Food is highly regarded for its straightforward approach to cooking. The reviewer appreciates the focus on using quality ingredients and the practical tips provided. They find the book to be an excellent guide for anyone looking to improve their cooking skills. The emphasis on simplicity and source quality is particularly noted as a strength. Overall, it's seen as a must-have for passionate home cooks.

Quick quotes

    The book is a treasure trove of practical advice

    It emphasizes the importance of quality ingredients

    A must-have for any passionate home cook

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