The Amateur Gourmet

Book excerpt: “A fast track to culinary bliss.”—Frank Bruni, New York Times • “A sort of Rachael Ray for young foodie urbanites.”—Boston Globe Self-taught chef and creator of the Amateur Gourmet website, Adam Roberts has written the ultimate “Kitchen 101” for anyone who’s ever wanted to enjoy the rewards of good eating without risking burning down the house! In this deliciously illuminating and hilarious new kitchen companion, Roberts has assembled a five-star lineup of some of the food world’s most eminent authorities. The result is a culinary education like no other. • Learn the “Ten Commandments of Dining Out” courtesy of Ruth Reichl, editor in chief of Gourmet magazine. • Discover why the New York Times’s Amanda Hesser urges you never to bring a grocery list to the market. • Get knife lessons from a top sous-chef at Manhattan’s famous Union Square Cafe, and much more. Packed with recipes, menu plans, shopping tips, and anecdotes, The Amateur Gourmet provides you with all the ingredients to savor the foodie lifestyle. All you need to add is a healthy appetite and a taste for adventure. Praise for The Amateur Gourmet “For anyone seeking to venture beyond toaster meals into the pleasurable world of sautéing and braising, Roberts is the perfect guide.”—Matt Lee and Ted Lee, authors of The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook “A funny little guide—thanks to Roberts’ comic timing and frequent kitchen flops—to savoring life’s flavor in pursuit of good eats.”—New York Daily News “Amateurgourmet [online] is a food-world must read, offering an intelligent and witty view of food culture. . . . Now Roberts moves to the head of the table with his new book.”—Denver Post “A delightful and compelling new voice in the food world.”—Michael Ruhlman, author of Charcuterie and The Reach of a Chef