Chasing Flavor

by Dan Kluger

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Chasing Flavor is a tutorial guide with recipes which emphasize taste and flavor appeal by Chef Dan Kluger. Due out 13th Oct 2020 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on their Rux Martin imprint, it's 368 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The author has an encouraging and accessible voice in writing. I enjoyed reading the non-recipe parts of the book as well as the recipes and found them easy to understand and follow. The layout is logical and understandable. The introductory chapters and how-to tutorials include the basic hows and whys of the tools, ingredients, and flavor blends. The recipe chapters are arranged roughly thematically: starters & soups, salads, vegetables, pasta grain & pizza, meat & poultry, and seafood.

Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (US measurements only), step by step instructions, as well a footers with tips and alternatives as well as professional "takeaways" One of the high points of the book for me are the photographs. They're high quality and clear - and serving suggestions are appealing and appropriate. Really beautiful dishes with professional finishes, and something to aim for.

The recipe ingredients themselves are (mostly) easily sourced and will be available at well stocked grocery stores. There are a very few ingredients which might be a little more difficult to source, but definitely nothing that is 'way out there'.

All in all, -very- well written, beautifully presented dishes, made from tasty ingredients which are easily sourced and beautifully enhanced with herbs and spices.

Five stars, we'll be revisiting this recipe book often. A useful antidote to bland food.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.