Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Essential New York Times Cook Book

The first word that comes to mind when describing this book is "wow." The book is huge. It does not have many pictures, so it is not my usual preference when it comes to cook books. What is great about this book though is the stories. Amanda Hesser spent many years researching the history of food and the history behind most of the recipes (not to mention having twins in the middle of it). I literally sat down with this cookbook and started reading it like a novel. The stories are so fascinating plus there are timelines scattered through out highlighting different aspects of food and their development in the US. I understand that the weekly food section of the New York Times and the recipes have a cult following. Only through the internet have I experienced this part of the paper, however even with out that connection to the New York Times, I love this book. It is a must for any food lover. I may or may not try the majority of its recipes but I will love reading about the history of American food through the eyes of the New York Times and Amanda Hesser.