Repertoire: All the Recipes You Need

by Jessica Battilana

Simple, stunning recipes for home cooks, from the writer of the Repertoire column for the San Francisco Chronicle. Home cooks don't need dozens of cookbooks or hundreds of recipes. They just need one good book, with about 75 trustworthy, versatile, and above all, delicious recipes that can stand alone or be mixed-and-matched into extraordinary meals. That's what Repertoire Real recipes, from real life, that really work. After nearly two decades in the kitchen and writing about food, this is the way San Francisco Chronicle writer Jessica Battilana really cooks at home. These are her best recipes, the ones she relies on the most -- for a quick weeknight supper, a special dinner party, when a friend drops by for a drink and a snack, for the chocolate cake that never fails. The knowledge, freedom, and flexibility that comes from cooking these recipes is all you really need in the kitchen. With a salad for every season, pantry pastas, many meatballs, chewy cookies, and more, Repertoire puts the perfect dish for every occasion within reach.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cooking

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2018

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conceit of this book is genius, but perhaps flawed. We each have our own repertoires that are very personal to taste, I think, and so one person's repertoire, especially one that is so heavily "Bay Area" in flavor profile, seems too narrow to be of use. I found the recipes to be a bit too fussy to be part of my weeknight routine, though I would happily eat them out at a restaurant if someone else was cooking them for me!

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not familiar with Jessica's work prior to finding this gem on the shelf at the library. Will be looking her up from here on out! A testament to how great this cookbook is - I'm not (much of a) meat eater. The chef is, and there were some recipes where I read it, looked at the photo, and hesitated to think "man that looks amazing!" even when I knew I would never make it or eat it.

Nevertheless, I found myself saving some of those recipes anyway - if not for the main ingredient, for the technique/style. I loved that everything from the simplest dessert to the most complicated (and really, nothing is so complicated as to be unrelatable) was clear, simple, and provided options for substitutions or variations. If you have any basic skills in the kitchen and enjoy cooking, you can make anything in this book. I loved her commentary and anecdotes throughout the book too -- something that is rarely true of cookbooks. I felt like I was sitting at her table, sipping wine and watching her cook while we chatted away. And I picked up some really good tips and tricks along the way. Treat yourself to this one - you won't regret it!

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked about this cookbook is that every recipe is illustrated with excellent, mouthwatering color photos. Also, Battilana includes a short introduction to each recipe where she shares why she makes it, how she developed it, who inspired it, or some other personal tidbit that makes the book warm and personable.

I wanted to read this book after reading several positive reviews. I liked the idea of a collection of "go-to" recipes and looked forward to seeing what this author/chef/food writer included in her repertoire. Turns out most of the recipes are not ones I would make, but there are about five that look outstanding and I would definitely try those.

[Jessie]

I really enjoyed reading this. The author's writing voice is wonderful, and the food photography isn't over-styled: it looks like food meant to be eaten rather than food that's been primped and preened. I borrowed a copy from the library and would buy one for myself except that a full 25 percent of the recipes are for sweets. I'm not much of a baker/dessert maker, and when I am, I'm picky. But I'm tucking away a few savory recipes to try (the candy pork looks delectable).

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

As promised, this book delivers recipes that will be tasty, and while nice enough for company, they're not too hard for a regular weeknight. Definitely a few recipes here that I'm adding to my own repertoire.

[Joli Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me, once again, wish I lived where the growing season was year round. That said, the recipes are great and the instructions solid. Some of it is far too intricate for my family's tastes but a lot of them will easily fit into my repertoire.

[Alanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great recipes

Every recipe I have made so far is a keeper and I want to put on repeat! Great book. Greenest salad and red chili beef are my most recent recipes I have made and enjoyed.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of tasty basics!

[Juli Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little meaty for my household, and generally unmemorable.

[Alex Can Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing green goddess dressing recipe!

[Molly Moody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the writing and I've loved the few recipes I've made- haven't made enough to know if they are all fairly excellent and easy but I have kept renewing it at the library! I reccomend!

[Alli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might not be buying my own copy, but some interesting takes on traditional meat and potatoes menus.

[Ginny Pennekamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kyle made the summer sausage bake, and it was chef quality!!

[LS kitchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many practical recipes and beautiful photography.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good ideas, not too many ingredients, going to try several recipes

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice mix of recipes with a few solid keepers for me--especially the desserts.

[J M Reihing · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't see any recipes that my family would enjoy.

[Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down my favorite cookbook. Delicious year round recipes packed with a wonderful variety of flavors. This collection has yet to let me down!!!