Cooking from Scratch

So I've had this cookbook for about a year, and I've made about 17 recipes so far. I would grade almost all the recipes as being good to very good. There isn't really a theme to the cookbook, except that of celebrating fresh flavors and produce. It contains some recipes in every category--for vegans, vegetarians, meat eaters, gluten-free--but it doesn't really focus on any one category, or any one cuisine. I would characterize the recipes as offering a fresh twist to favorite classics. For example, last night I made a lentil dish from the book (Curried Lentil and Mango Wraps) that has the bright idea of combining standard cooked lentils with fresh diced mango, fresh cucumber, red onion, and curry spices. Voila! It's an interesting, fresh, and tasty twist on lentils. Similarly, there's a pasta salad recipe that combines fresh cherries, chorizo slices, pine nuts, and orzo pasta. Different--and good. What keeps me coming back to this book are these slightly unexpected, intriguing combinations of flavors. An added bonus is that the recipes are all very "doable." Aside from necessary chopping/preparing of fruits and vegetables, there's nothing difficult here, no strange techniques, no odd cooking tools or pans required. It's a user-friendly cookbook, and also gorgeously produced. The enticing, colorful photos definitely make you want to try these dishes!

I bought this cookbook after it was the cook book for my book group - we are a cook book group from our local library. I was not familiar with PCC Community Markets as I live on the east coast. My favorite recipe is Garlicky Green Beans and Shrimp. It's quick, easy, tasty and you can substitute other vegetables for the green beans. I just made the recipe with pea pods and fresh spinach. My only complaint is the book doesn't lie flat when you are trying to cook a recipe. This has become a pet peeve of me after being in a book group that reviews a new book each month. It's standard in may cook books.If you like recipes with fresh, seasonal ingredients (no canned soups here), mostly easy to prepare and tasty I suggest you try this cookbook.

"Cooking From Scratch" was recommended to me by my cousin who resides in Seattle and frequents PCC. I've already made half a dozen recipes and have bookmarked another dozen to try. This is well written and easy to follow. Occasionally there are ingredients not found in every pantry or not readily available in the desert known as Las Vegas. I've managed to make substitutions. It would be prudent of the authors to offer substitutions for readers who don't live in the Northwest.

Grew up in Seattle - was regular at the original PCC on NE 65th. This is a treasure trove of my favorite deli recpies. Excellent veggie/vegan options.

Every recipe is wonderful. Well instructed and the ingredients are accessible. I love reading that some of the dishes are most popular in PCC.