Your Time to Cook: A First Cookbook for Newlyweds, Couples, & Lovers

Blakeslee's beginner's guide to all things culinary could prove as essential for new cooks as a good knife, far exceeding it's stated goal: to give novice cooks a solid foundation in technique and tools, as well as an understanding of how they work with raw ingredients to create a finished dish. Essentially two books in one, a kitchen-basics primer and a recipe collection, Blakeslee takes his time covering fundamentals like kitchen layout, ovenware, stocking the pantry, and techniques such as dicing onions, folding batter, folding napkins, and even boiling water. Dishes are detailed with the care of a doting mother, instructing with clear text and more than 1,000 step-by-step photos while avoiding condescension. Blakeslee heavily favors familiar foods and basic techniques-scrambled eggs, garlic bread, mac and cheese, and meatloaf-though cooks ready to expand their repertoire will find dishes like Ahi Tuna Burritos and tempura vegetables. Blakeslee tosses in everything he can think of for cooking couples just starting out, including menus for casual and upscale get-togethers, tips on serving wine, and variations for many of his recipes. This volume should sustain newlyweds and other cooking partners well past their first year together.