In a dinner rut? Read It & Eat, an uber-hip culinary bookstore in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, recommends these mouthwatering new cookbooks to reignite your creative spark (and your stove).
Korean BBQ: Master Your Grill in Seven Sauces
Bill Kim and Chandra Ram
Anyone who’s tired of the usual barbecue fare will find inspiration in this book from the chef and owner of the award-winning bellyQ restaurants. Bill Kim’s first cookbook is Korean-American-focused, filled with accessible, flavor-packed recipes aimed to spice up your grill — just in time for summer.
Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day
Alexander Smalls and JJ Johnson
Afro-Asian-American Gumbo — who knew? This book explores the crisscrossing of cultures expressed through the canvas of food, and it serves as a beautiful example of how cultural boundaries are being broken down and brought together through new twists on classic cuisines.
Sharp: The Definitive Guide to Knives, Knife Care, and Cutting Techniques, with Recipes from Great Chefs
Josh Donald
Did you know it’s easier to injure yourself when using a blunt knife versus a sharp one? Raise your hand if you worry about chopping your fingers off every time you make a salad. Described as a knife-skills class in a book, “Sharp” not only teaches you how to use your knives, but also how to clean, maintain, and store them. Bonus: This book includes recipe contributions from great chefs, including Stuart Brioza of State Bird Provisions and Melissa Perello of Frances.
Once Upon a Chef: The Cookbook
Jennifer Segal
You know a story will be good if it starts with “Once upon a time,” and this one’s no exception. Jennifer Segal went to culinary school and worked in fancy restaurants — and then life happened. Now, a marriage and two children later, she uses her professional skills to bring working mothers tried-and-true recipes that are as easy as they are impressive. Her cookbook, based on her blog of the same name, brings us that same experience and expertise with more than 100 recipes that promise to up your cooking game.
Feature photo by Caroline Attwood on Unsplash.
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