Lateral Cooking: One Dish Leads to Another

About this book

A groundbreaking handbook--the "method" companion to its critically acclaimed predecessor The Flavor Thesaurus--with a foreword by Yotam Ottolenghi. Niki Segnit used to follow recipes to the letter even when shed made a dish a dozen times. But as she tested the combinations that informed The Flavor Thesaurus she detected the basic rubrics that underpinned most recipes. Lateral Cooking offers these formulas which once readers are familiar with them will prove infinitely adaptable. The book is divided into twelve chapters each covering a basic culinary category such as "Bread " "Stock Soup & Stew " or "Sauce." The recipes in each chapter are arranged on a continuum passing from one to another with just a tweak or two to the method or ingredients. Once youve got the hang of flatbreads for instance then its neighboring dishes (crackers soda bread scones) will involve the easiest and most intuitive adjustments. The result is greater creativity in the kitchen: Lateral Cooking encourages improvisation resourcefulness and ultimately the knowledge and confidence to cook by heart. Lateral Cooking is a practical book but like The Flavor Thesaurus its also a highly enjoyable read drawing widely on culinary science history ideas from professional kitchens observations by renowned food writers and Segnits personal recollections. Entertaining opinionated and inspirational with a handsome three-color design Lateral Cooking will have you torn between donning your apron and settling back in a comfortable chair.