Cookbook Spotlight: Kitchen Sense

When I received an e-mail a few months ago, asking if I wanted an advance copy of Mitchell Davis’ new cookbook, Kitchen Sense, I tried to respond as professionally as possible and not with a “Heck, yeah!” Me, a self-professed cookbook addict, getting to see a brand-spankin’ new cookbook that has yet to hit the bookshelves? Not a hard decision in the least.

A couple weeks later, the big-500+ page book landed with a thud on my front doorstep. It’s tag line reads “More than 600 Recipes to Make You a Great Home Cook.” That will lure people in right there, because that is truly what a lot of us aspire to be really. Not a chef, but a great home cook. The person responsible for putting smiles on their friends’ and families’ faces, and intertwining their love for food with creating great, long-lasting memories.

I gotta be truthful. At first glance, if I had seen this cookbook at the bookstore, I honestly wouldn’t have given it a second look. I really prefer my cookbooks to have photos, lots of them, and in color, please. This one? Not one. Not a black-and-white photo, no color photographs, not even a sketch. But wait … there was a saving grace. The text. I love when cookbooks tell stories. Don’t laugh, but I’ve been known to curl up and read a good book, a cookbook! I want to know how the recipe came about, what the inspiration was, the history behind it, what made the author go running into the kitchen and start banging pots and pans around. And Kitchen Sense delivers that, and then some.

Besides working at the famous James Beard Foundation, the author is also an adjunct professor at NYU’s food studies program. So, he knows his food, and equally important, he knows the written word, and knows it well. Like me curling up with a good cookbook for a long satisfying read, Kitchen Sense is like bringing an old friend into the kitchen while he explains how to make satisfying, tummy-warming food. Everything from fresh egg noodles and quick tomato sauce to Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy and Beer-Braised Pot Roast. It’s all here – grab yourself a copy and curl up with it.

Now, speaking of cookbooks, I need to MAKE ROOM! I went through my bookshelves and have a stack of cookbooks to get rid of. Instead of putting them on Amazon, I thought I’d see if you guys wanted any first. These are Southern Living and Cooking Light Annuals … you know, the cookbook they put out at the end of the year that has every recipe from the magazine? Each one is $7 and includes Priority Mail (US) shipping. First come, first served – drop me a line if you’re interested.

Southern Living 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989
Cooking Light 1994, 1993, 1992

Lastly, I’ll leave you with the Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe from last night’s dinner.

Until tomorrow…

A year ago today… a great eating day!

Buffalo Chicken Dip
Recipe courtesy of Family Circle
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 lb) (I used rotisserie chicken to save time)
6 tablespoons hot sauce (we used 4)
1 package cream cheese, cut into small chunks
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Place chicken breasts in a medium-size skillet and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, cover and poach for about 6-7 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 170 on an instant-read thermometer. Remove chicken to a plate to cool. Shred with 2 forks.

Place shredded chicken and hot sauce in a skillet and heat through. Add cream cheese and dressing and heat until well blended. Add half of the shredded cheese and stir until melted. Place in a crock and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Serve warm (reheat in microwave if needed) with crackers.

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