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17th out of 696 books
—
663 voters
I'm Just Here for the Food: Food + Heat = Cooking
by
Alton Brown
As host of Food Network's Good Eats, Alton Brown entertains and informs viewers with a lively mix of wit blended with wisdom, history with pop culture, and science with the kind of common cooking sense that our grandmothers took for granted. This lively half-hour program is now in its fifth season and one of the network's top-rated shows.In this, his first cookbook, Brown...more
Hardcover, 287 pages
Published
May 1st 2002
by Stewart, Tabori, & Chang
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This book changed my life.
I’ve never been a big cook. I think mostly because I’m a little impatient and the results are spectacular enough normally for me to get a charge of out taking the time to cook.
That may all be changing because of a book I got this weekend. The Mrs and I like to watch Good Eats on the Food network. Its just a fun show. I watch cooking shows for the same reason I was do it yourself shows. Its fun to watch people who know how to do something well do it. But I don’t ever co...more
I’ve never been a big cook. I think mostly because I’m a little impatient and the results are spectacular enough normally for me to get a charge of out taking the time to cook.
That may all be changing because of a book I got this weekend. The Mrs and I like to watch Good Eats on the Food network. Its just a fun show. I watch cooking shows for the same reason I was do it yourself shows. Its fun to watch people who know how to do something well do it. But I don’t ever co...more
I have a 13-year-old who thinks he wants to go to culinary school, but has still only mastered the arts of ramen noodles and jello. He's a fan of foodie rock stars like Anthony Bourdain, Gordon Ramsey, and, of course, Alton Brown. So, this summer we're making cooking homeschool -- I've got it all planned out, and this book is our text. We'll focus on one cooking method a week, and come September, I'll have another hand in the house that has no excuse for not coming up with dinner once in a whil...more
This is a great cookbook and really the only one (except Brown's other books) worth listing as a book I've read here. I haven't read it cover-to-cover. Like any other cooking or brewing book, there's not a lot of reason to read the parts that don't apply to what you're cooking. Despite this, I've read enough of the sections to get a good feel for it. If you enjoy the shows and find them helpful and entertaining, you'll find the books the same way. He focuses on teaching you how to cook more than...more
Simply put, this is the science behind cooking laid out in a practical approach. Alton Brown doesn't just teach you how to cook certain meals, as an ordinary cook-book would, but delves into the theory of cooking methods and gives you the tools to understand what is going on when making food rather than having you blindly repeat a recipe - useful information when something goes wrong, or if you have different cooking apparatus than the person who wrote the recipe, or if you can expand the recipe...more
Did not finish.
I enjoy Good Eats, I generally enjoy Brown's perspective on cooking, and I definitely agree that knowing the foundation of cooking will make you a better cook. This book, however, is not for me.
Too many pages had text discussing one thing, sidebars discussing something else, and drawings demonstrating a third. Like learning food science from an unmedicated 5 year old with ADHD. The drawings were also too stylized, not as basic and clear as the drawings in Brown's other books. Th...more
I enjoy Good Eats, I generally enjoy Brown's perspective on cooking, and I definitely agree that knowing the foundation of cooking will make you a better cook. This book, however, is not for me.
Too many pages had text discussing one thing, sidebars discussing something else, and drawings demonstrating a third. Like learning food science from an unmedicated 5 year old with ADHD. The drawings were also too stylized, not as basic and clear as the drawings in Brown's other books. Th...more
A fine book that does a decent job discussing some of the underlying science behind cooking. That being said, it's a little on the simple side, mainly focusing on the transference of heat from cooking implements to food (e.g. Maillard reactions, etc.) While this is useful, it doesn't exactly lead to any earth-shattering changes in the way you cook. You figure out that certain materials are better for cooking with (e.g. cast-iron > aluminum). Maybe you'll start seasoning your food a little ear...more
I came late to the Alton Brown party, so my man-crush on him seems ill-timed now that he's widened out in his celebrity role on the Food Network. But Brown is a man after my own heart - understand the science of something so you can play with it. I make something by the recipe the first time so I get the mechanics, then I start to tweak it. Brown's book is a great guide to your kitchen and it will make you throw away about half the crap you got for your wedding because they're unitaskers.
This is more than just a cookbook. This is a blueprint of culinary knowledge! How often have you read a cookbook and truly learned from it? Instead of merely following instructions (or recipe) this book, THIS BOOK teaches you to make your own instructions!
Much like his television show (Good Eats), this book talks a lot about the why's of cooking. It presents the science behind food in an understandable and fun way littered with wit and humour. It tells you why doing certain things make your food...more
Much like his television show (Good Eats), this book talks a lot about the why's of cooking. It presents the science behind food in an understandable and fun way littered with wit and humour. It tells you why doing certain things make your food...more
Billed as a guide to help organise you and your kitchen, I'm Just here For the Food by U.S. celebrity chef and TV star Alton Brown has set this ring-bound guide to be a key kitchen companion and store for your recipes, notes and other cooking essentials.
The eight sections feature a full-page plastic pocket to hold clippings, equipment manuals and warranties and the like and many blank pages for storing notes. A range of reference information such as food yield equivalent calculations, ingredient...more
The eight sections feature a full-page plastic pocket to hold clippings, equipment manuals and warranties and the like and many blank pages for storing notes. A range of reference information such as food yield equivalent calculations, ingredient...more
This is not a cookbook: it's a mad-science exploration of cooking. Alton Brown explains the chemistry, physics and processes of the foundational methods of cooking food, breaking them down with hilarious commentary and consistent precision. Throughout the book, he explains the inaccuracies in home equipment and how to combat them ... at an extent that is frankly ridiculous for any but the most neurotic, but it certainly is entertaining to ponder - and that's the point. But no, I won't be melting...more
I've always been a big fan of "Good Eats". And this book is one of his supplements to the series, primarily explaining and demonstrating how heat works with food. Each section focuses on a different method of hot food preparation, He discusses broiling, boiling, grilling, sauteeing, and many others. And there are recipes, a few of which I tried. They were easy to follow and delicious.
I checked this one out from the library. As soon as I can, I'd like a copy for myself. It would make a great refe...more
I checked this one out from the library. As soon as I can, I'd like a copy for myself. It would make a great refe...more
I know there is something wrong with me because I am recovering from a hard core crush on Alton Brown that lasted several years. Well, they say the first step is admitting you have a problem, but geeky glasses, food, AND science? I have no will power against his panoply of charms. And he even wrote a decent book. Food science at its most fun.
Alton Brown gives me crazy head. I think he stamps a lot of the magic and intution out of cooking. BUT, having said that, my husband LOVES Alton Brown and literally read this book cover to cover and it really has improved his cooking. I highly recommend this for people looking for the all the 'whys?' behind cooking.
This is a book about cooking techniques, rather than recipies. It's organized by cooking method, rather than ingredients like most other cookbooks. There are a lot of cookbooks out there full of nothing but recipies, but many of them don't say anything about the different methods to prepare food. AB also goes into some of the how's and why's of the different preparation methods. afraid to broil? never poached anything? roasts turn out like lumps of coal? deep fried stuff ends up grease laden? Yo...more
I'm only on page 80, but I'm already itching to review and debating whether 4 stars is enough. I've laughed out loud (literally) probably once every two or three pages. There is something in me that will always love reveling in geekery. (Yes, that's a word). Brown is witty, and he explains cooking elements that my elementary mind can grasp, using the nerd terms I already understand. Really, I had such high hopes for 'Ratio', but it was written with a base knowledge I don't have yet, and taught m...more
I am a big fan of Alton Brown's show on The Food Network, Good Eats. So I looked forward to reading his cookbook. But I have to admit this is not what I expected. The book is organized by cooking method, which seems a little strange to begin with. Then there are no pictures of any of the recipes. There are fun little sidenotes, and interesting tips, but the recipes are constructed in a rather strange way.
Then again, Brown has so many little quirks and extreme preferences that I don't intend to f...more
Then again, Brown has so many little quirks and extreme preferences that I don't intend to f...more
A.B. is not only witty, but a very intelligent man. If you've watched his show on food network, (or youtube), then you most likely understand his certain charm. He takes a cooking show, and mixes in not only the essencial fundimentals you'll need explained in a way so that even a first timer would be able to complete them, but he makes it fun, and funny. By the time you've completed your dish, you'll have a full understanding of what you've done, and how it happened.
This book is no different. It...more
This book is no different. It...more
It's taken me a while, but Alton Brown has grown on me. I now appreciate his cooking shows (I used to find them silly and annoying), and have learned a lot about ingredients and the art/science of cooking.
He's kindof the Bill Nye of the cooking world :)
This is not an allergy-focused book (i.e. not gluten free, vegan, raw, etc) but I checked it out because let's face it, I don't have a clue what I'm doing in the kitchen. Sure, I can follow a recipe, but I don't know why some things "work" and s...more
He's kindof the Bill Nye of the cooking world :)
This is not an allergy-focused book (i.e. not gluten free, vegan, raw, etc) but I checked it out because let's face it, I don't have a clue what I'm doing in the kitchen. Sure, I can follow a recipe, but I don't know why some things "work" and s...more
If I know WHY I'm supposed to cook a certain way, I'm more likely to actually do it that way! Alton tells me why!
I am admittedly a "Good Eats" super-fan so I'm naturally pro-Alton and his books -- but quite simply this is one of the best cookbooks to own. It's core is explaining why a recipe or method is the way it is and why to do something a particular way for a particular result. Rather crucial kitchen lessons and ones most cookbooks never bother with, or assume anyone who can stir or turn on a burner must be able to handle -- which is wrong. So this is part science, part home ec, part uber recipes, and...more
I haven't finished this yet but I have a good sense of it and I plan to finish it. This is not really a traditional cookbook. It does have recipes, but that's not really the main point. He breaks cooking down into different methods of heating things (grill, boil, braise, etc) and talks about each of those methods. I really like the scientific explanations- often on the molecular level. This is just what I need to help me become a better chef, and really understand how to cook. Also, I have never...more
For many years I've been addicted to the off-beat cooking show filled with unabashed geekery known far and wide as Good Eats on food network. I feel a certain kinship with Alton Brown. He's from north Georgia, an unashamed geek, and he loves food of all kinds but has a deep love of true local cuisine and road-food. (This idea is explored in his "Feasting" documentaries for the last three years.) And his show has revealed knowledge of everything from Star Trek to Lord of the Rings to the Termina...more
Feb 17, 2008
Bethany
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who eats food.
Everyone who cooks should own this book. Alton Brown's humorous and informative show, "Good Eats" on the Food Network has long been a family favourite to watch and this book is just as quirky, funny, a bit theatrical even and most importantly, informative as his TV program with the added convenience of it being a book. Loaded with easily understandable metaphors and simple graphic illustrations (but no photos... except on the cover, of course), his is not a book to buy for new recipes (although...more
Alton Brown is just fun to read. He is witty and humorous but he is also very Good at explaining how cooking happens. My boys love to watch his television shows when they can. They consider it funny and educational and worth their time to watch by their own choice! This book is not quite as funny as the tv series but it is very educational and the recipes aren't bad, either. I learned the best way to make hard cooked eggs is in the oven and haven't gone back to boiling since!
Complete with cuts-of-meat refrigerator magnets, this book is more of an encyclopedia/instruction guide for cooking than a spectacular collection of recipes. Leave it to Alton Brown to come up with the perfect cookbook for the new home cook! The techniques and tricks seem to be endless and are sure to inspire some experimentation in the kitchen or on the grill. The classic recipes included highlight the technical tips and showcase what Alton does best, TEACH!
A good survey of the fundamentals of cooking. Do I necessarily need to know the difference between convection and conduction? No. But it did help me learn how to get a good crispy skin on my chicken and how to manipulate different types of batters and breadings. Brown's recipes are good when I have the time and wherewithall to plan to make one but there are precious few that I can make with the ingredients I keep on hand in the pantry.
I learned how to cook by watching Good Eats and reading Brown's books.
If you are unfamiliar with the show - Brown goes into the science of what is happening as he whips up the episodes recipes, not just do A, B, & C and voila it looks fantastic.
This is not a collection of recipes from the show - this is an instruction manual. There are a few recipes that utilize the topic he is discussing, but this is best for the novice cook.
If you are unfamiliar with the show - Brown goes into the science of what is happening as he whips up the episodes recipes, not just do A, B, & C and voila it looks fantastic.
This is not a collection of recipes from the show - this is an instruction manual. There are a few recipes that utilize the topic he is discussing, but this is best for the novice cook.
Sep 18, 2009
Dani
added it
Recommends it for:
anyone who wants to know the "why" of cooking
Shelves:
cookbooks-read
This book, written by Food Network personality Alton Brown, is like a cooking course in a book. It would make a great reference book because he doesn't stop at giving you recipes. Brown uses his humorous approach to explain the different ways that heat can be applied to food and what exactly is happening to the food. He throws in plenty of illustrations and anecdotes from his own life to keep things lively.
Feb 05, 2010
Eric Bridges
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone wanting to learn how to cook
Shelves:
books-i-own
If anyone told me that they wanted to learn how to cook, and were serious about it, this is probably the first book I would hand them. It's a book that skillfully focuses on basic cooking technique, rather than recipes, which is something that is essential for a beginning cook, but that is sadly lacking in the cookbook world. And not just technique about proper cutting and storing (although it does have that), but even more importantly why things cook the way they do and what is actually happeni...more
The book itself is AWESOME... the digital edition appears to have been created aby a retarded monkey. Several pages are completely unreadable because they have been poorly scanned in as images instead of as text and the index is incomplete.
What can be read is instructive to the MAX. I reccommend you go and buy the physical copy and stay away from the digital edition.
What can be read is instructive to the MAX. I reccommend you go and buy the physical copy and stay away from the digital edition.
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Alton Brown is an American food personality, cinematographer, author, and actor. He is the creator and host of the Food Network television show Good Eats, the miniseries Feasting on Asphalt and the main commentator on Iron Chef America.
Brown received a degree in drama from the University of Georgia. He first worked in cinematography and film production, and was the director of photography on the m...more
More about Alton Brown...
Brown received a degree in drama from the University of Georgia. He first worked in cinematography and film production, and was the director of photography on the m...more
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Mar 28, 2012 03:02pm