The Inquisitive Cook: Discover the Unexpected Science of the Kitchen

by Anne Gardiner, Sue Wilson, The Exploratorium

Overview

In a light, anecdotal, but highly informative style, seasoned cooking writers reveal the unexpected and always practical science of the kitchen. Covered are such subjects as the amazing alchemy of granules and powders, the astonishing egg, the effects on food of different cooking methods, the biology and psychology of flavor, the remarkable chemistry of doughs, spices, and much, much more. Amusing anecdotes, sidebars and illustrations en-liven the text. Throughout, there are "cook's queries," quick tips, and even recipes that will delight anyone interested in becoming a more knowledgable cook.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780805045413
Publisher:	Holt, Henry & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	08/15/1998
Series:	Science for Hobbyists Series
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.37(d)

About the Author

Anne Gardiner and Sue Wilson (Vancouver, B.C.) together write "The Inquisitive Cook," a weekly column dedicated to explaining the science of the kitchen, for the Montreal Gazette, and sydnicated to newspapers throughout Canada.

Editorial Reviews

The science of the kitchen, an important component in the curricula of cooking schools, is a relatively new interest among the general public. The classic Joy of Cooking (LJ 10/15/97) has traditionally devoted some space to the subject, of course, but only recently has Harold McGee's seminal work, On Food and Cooking (1984), found popular expression in Shirley Corriher's Cookwise (LJ 6/15/97). Now, this broad topic has been condensed into a compact volume. The authors--two educators in cooking and the renowned San Francisco museum devoted to science, art, and human perception--have selected the most technical yet practical of culinary questions to explore: how to caramelize sugar, cooking times for various meats, and the phenomena of smell and taste, just to name a few. Eight chapters deconstruct chemistry's magical effect on vegetables, fruits, eggs, flour, salts, sugars, baking powder, yeast, flour, poultry, seafood, beef, and pork. There is a wonderfully authoritative bibliography and a good index. Highly recommended for all collections.--Wendy Miller, Lexington P.L., KY

Library Journal