Judy Rodgers and Gerald Asher's 2002 collection documents recipes and techniques from San Francisco's Zuni Cafe, with 263 recipes indexed on Cookbooker. Members have completed 152 recipe reviews with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5, with the most-reviewed dishes being Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Onion Frittata with Balsamic Vinegar, and Fried Eggs in Bread Crumbs. The cookbook itself has received
This is a beautiful cookbook that is very different from my other cookbooks. The recipes are very detailed and contain a lot of useful advice, but are not simple to make. I would consider this project cooking, for when I want to spend some time in the kitchen or prepare something special.
This is a beautiful cookbook that reads like you are cooking with an old friend. I love what this cookbook tells us about shopping, about learning about your ingredients, and about basic cooking techniques. My advice is to treat this cookbook like a set of cooking lessons.
After preparing 35 of the recipes in this book, I have to say that the recipes are somewhat uneven. Some of the recipes are outstaning (the biscotti and mock porchetta come to mind). However some of the recipes do not work, at least for me. These include the roasted polenta and ricotta gnocchi.
I think nearly all cookbooks have some recipes that do not work for everyone. With cookbooker to help guide you to the best recipes, and help you with the ones that are problematic, this cookbook can truly help make you into a better, and more thoughtful, cook.
The Zuni Cafe Cookbook is an excellent resource for the accomplished cook. I enjoy reading this book, not only for its enticing recipes, but also for the compendium-like manner in which it proffers advice.
Not really a book for beginners, but if you have been cooking for a few years and want practical and inspirational tips to cook better, this is the one for you.
Lots of advice on the details that matter - such as when to salt your food (early), what salt to use (it depends) and why. She tells you when to taste and what to look for when you do. She will also tell you which things are not that important. It also is unintimidating. She will tell you not to try recipes that are too unfamiliar, she helps you with tasting your food.
And it's fun to just read it, even the recipes themselves.
This is a visually beautiful book -- glorious really. It celebrates not only the pleasures of the table but also the pleasure involved in creating those great meals. The introduction could motivate just about anyone to want to be a better, more thoughtful cook ... and the recipes give the results that show that the effort to do so pays off on the plate. I love this cookbook.
We loved the restaurant and bought the cookbook.