At Home in the Kitchen: Simple Recipes from a Chef’s Night Off

Kinch—chef and owner of Manresa, with three Michelin stars, in northern California—shares in this laid-back cookbook the recipes he prepares on his days off from work. The key, Kinch writes, is that the dishes are “quick and inexpensive enough to make a handful for a party, or to prepare for yourself as snacks during the week.” Throughout, the chef is encouraging (“I don’t think cooking is difficult... it requires attention”) and isn’t stingy with tips, such as making sure to use a 12-inch or larger pan for paella and placing the gratin dish for his Belgian endive gratin on a baking sheet to prevent a mess if the cream bubbles over. Dishes are wide-ranging and take nods from various cuisines, as evidenced in recipes for Catalan-style kale cooked with raisins and pine nuts, cherry clafoutis, and jambalaya. Many options work well for entertaining, among them eggplant with black olive tapenade, and an herbed goat cheese and chorizo tartine with honey. Notable mains include a lamb tartare and oven-roasted potatoes with cod, while song suggestions for listening while cooking (such as making pesto to Aretha Franklin) reinforce the easygoing tone. This is a solid choice for readers craving quick, adventurous dishes. (Mar.)