Summary

A fully revised and updated edition of Raymond Sokolov's classic kitchen primer for beginning chefs of all ages, filled with 150 simple, sophisticated recipes, easytolearn techniques, and indispensable advice.First published in 1986, Ray Sokolov's How To Cook is the ultimate book for beginning cooks of all ages. Unlike most kitchen primers, How To Cook does not assume any prior cooking instruction or skills, but rather guides the reader through the entire cooking process with simple explanations in ordinary language. There are no fancy cooking terms or special gadget here, just easy, indispensable techniques and foolproof recipes for every occasion. In this revised paperback edition, Sokolov addresses the increased sophistication of even adamant noncooks in today's foodobsessed climate, while he sticks to the unfussy, straightforward approach that made the original such a hit. Home cooks will learn everything they need for years worth of fabulous meals, from how to decipher recipe measurements, to how to fry an egg, to how to steam a lobster. Even readers weaned on frozen pizza will find recipes they can master, for last minute meals, special occasions and entertaining, and even holidaysall made from scratch with fresh, accessible ingredients. Experienced cooks will appreciate the simple elegance of such flavorful dishes as Veal Scallopini or Pears Poached in Red Wine. Written with Sokolov's trademark wit and wisdom, How To Cook is an invaluable kitchen classic you'll turn to again and again.

Preface to the Revised Edition,

1. Breaking into the Kitchen,

(26)

2. In My Room,

(34)

3. Desserts, Snacks, Treats,

(36)

4. Breakfast,

(24)

5. Going It Alone: Cooking for One,

121

(28)

6. Tables for Two,

149

(30)

7. For Four or More,

179

(26)

8. Vegetable Love,

205

(36)

9. Feast Food,

241

(28)

10. An Essential Miscellany: Sauces, Preserves and Ice Cream,

269

(22)

Index,

291

Supplemental Materials

What is included with this book?

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Excerpts

How to Cook Revised Edition
An Easy and Imaginative Guide for the Beginner

Spareribs with Garlic Sauce

I once wandered into a nondescript tavern in central Frankfurt,Germany, and saw a romantic couple eating something that smelledwonderful with a single fork and knife. I asked the waitress what itwas and she replied, "Leiterchen mit Knoblauchsosse" ("a little ladderwith garlic sauce").

I ordered it and found out that "ladderlet" was the colorful andquite accurate Frankfurt dialectal way of naming a rack of ribs. Itwas delicious, and came with a green bean and onion salad, potatoesand local hard cider.

Yield: 2 servings

4 pounds spareribs
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic (see page 35)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Lay the spareribs down in a pan in a single layer. Spread them onboth sides with the garlic puree.

Bake for 1 ½ hours, or until the ribs are browned and cookedthrough. Turn every 15 minutes.

Fried Chicken

Great fortunes have been made purveying this classic Southernfood idea to millions of hungry people in other regions. It is themost successful of all traditional American regional dishes. Buteven, or perhaps especially, as a fast food, fried chicken is quite avariable recipe. Some like it crisp; others like it seasoned sharply.There are chicken chains for every taste. But I think none of themmatches the quality of chicken fried at home. It is almost as convenientto do it yourself -- and a lot cheaper -- than waiting in theplastic glare of a fast-food place and letting Colonel Whoever-he-isdecide how much "secret" spice mixture to use.

This recipe is meant only as a basic guideline. Once you havetried it, you will certainly want to fiddle with the spicing. If youlike hot food, you may want to join the vocal subculture that addsplenty of cayenne pepper to the basic flour mixture.

The quantity of chicken called for here is a deliberately generousamount for two people with normal appetites. But, as you havealready observed, some people eat piles of chicken, even when itisn't very good. Should there be any of your impeccable friedchicken left over, it will be just fine served cold the next day. (TraditionalSouthern cooks use lard for frying, because that was the fattheir forebears had in abundance. I prefer it today, because it addspersonality to the flavor of the chicken.)

Yield: 2 servings

2 ½ pounds chicken, cut into serving pieces
1 cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Lard or oil for frying

Chill the chicken (if it has been in the refrigerator overnight ormore, leave it there until you are ready to cook it).

In a bowl, sift or mix together the flour, salt and pepper. Pour themixture in a paper bag large enough to hold all the chicken pieces.

Take a skillet (or skillets) large enough to hold the chicken. Fill it(them) to a depth of ½ inch with the lard (melt it a bit at a timeover low heat until you have the right amount) or oil. Use medium-highheat. You want the lard or oil to be quite hot but not smokingwhen you put the chicken into it. If it starts to smoke, reduce theheat a bit but not drastically.

While the lard or oil is heating, put the chicken in the paper bagand shake gently to cover the pieces thoroughly. This method isquick, efficient and allows you to keep your hands off the chicken,leaving the flour where it should be, not on your fingers.

Put the bag on the stovetop near the skillet. Tear it open. Disturbingthe flour as little as possible (picking the chicken up with atongs or a serving fork), put the chicken into the skillet(s). Cover(to promote even cooking) and cook for about 6 minutes, or untilthe pieces have browned underneath. You may have to adjust theheat to maintain a good bubble in the lard or oil after the chickenhas been put in and lowers the temperature. This is not a violentprocess, but you will have to peek after a couple of minutes tomake sure there is no smoke or burning. Turn, cover again and continue cooking for another 6 minutes,or until the other sides are browned and the thickest part of a thighor leg is cooked. The juices should run clear when pricked with afork.

Drain on paper toweling.

How to Cook Revised Edition
An Easy and Imaginative Guide for the Beginner. Copyright © by Raymond Sokolov. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.

Excerpted from How to Cook: An Easy and Imaginative Guide for the Beginner by Raymond Sokolov
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