Heart Of The Artichoke: And Other Kitchen Journeys (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
I don't fully know what to make of this cookbook. I heard that a famous chef recently bagged on author David Tanis with the comment, "A platter of figs is NOT a recipe!" That's kind of how I feel about this cookbook as well, but that's not to say I disliked it. I mean, the guy is a good writer, and his ideas about food are simple and very noble sounding (nothing but the highest quality ingredients, in season). This book starts with about 14 Kitchen Traditions he enjoys (such as making Spanish Chorizo at home or eating oatmeal), and then offers up a series of seasonal themed menus (Vietnamese, Calabrian, Thanksgiving). There are recipes in this particular cookbook, but there are also many of his infamous "non-recipes".But allow me to provide a parody, if you will, of some of his "non-recipes". It goes something like this: "When I traveled to Paris (insert other international city here), I greatly enjoyed the ham sandwiches (insert worldly food of your choice here). Here is how to make the best version of this dish: Start with good bread, butter it, and top with the best sliced ham. (Insert fairly obvious instructions here.) He's probably right about a lot of these suggestions, but sometimes I feel like I'm not getting an amazing recipe from a chef per se; it's more like Tanis provides us as readers with a Platonic ideal of a Ham Sandwich to try to create at home. This is, for me, a totally different way to thinking about cookbooks- not a bad one, just different. Some day. Some day I'm going to own these David Tanis cookbooks and I will puruse through them and commit to a whole menu of his once a month. I love how he has a section of Spring Menus and talks about the importance of arugula and how to use it (pesto! what a great idea!) and uses ingredients that would be in season at that time. I wish I had the time to commit to this book, but like his last one, I'll chose one or two recipes, I'm sure, be absolutely nuts over the recipe and then tell myself that I'll have more time later...Great book!
What do You think about Heart Of The Artichoke: And Other Kitchen Journeys (2010)?
This was a beautiful book. It reminded me of Nigel Slater's Kitchen Diaries, which I also loved.
—lovelyreader
Interesting food writing and solid recipes. I can't wait to read more of his work.
—angelique
Yes. This is how I want to cook all of the time. Accessible and inspiring.
—martenkoops
cookbooks that read like fat novels = two of my favourite things.
—shiftyschick
