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Cooking Education & Reference
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The Cook You Want to Be: Everyday Recipes to Impress [A Cookbook]
Beloved food writer and social media star Andy Baraghani helps you define and develop your personal cooking style-and become the cook you want to be-in more than 100 recipes.
"This book is full of things I want to make and cook."-Yotam Ottolenghi
ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED COOKBOOKS OF 2022-Time, Delish, Food52
Andy Baraghani peeled hundreds of onions at Chez Panisse as a teenage intern, honed his perfectly balanced salad–making skills at Estela in New York, and developed recipes in the test kitchens of Saveur, Tasting Table, and Bon Appétit. It took him all those years to figure out the cook he wanted to be: a cook who is true to his Persian heritage, a fresh-vegetable lover, a citrus superfan, and an always-hungry world traveler. In The Cook You Want to Be, Baraghani shows home cooks on how to hone their own cooking styles by teaching the techniques and unexpected flavor combinations that maximize flavor in minimal time.
At Bon Appétit, Baraghani created a bevy of viral recipes-from Tahini Ranch to Fall-Apart Caramelized Cabbage-that became household staples. Here, he follows up with more umami-rich dishes, beautiful and restaurant-worthy meals (that take half the time), and well-known dishes recast in utterly delicious ways. Among his debut cookbook's 100 recipes, new surefire hits include Caramelized Sweet Potatoes with Browned Butter Harissa; Sticky, Spicy Basil Shrimp; and Tangy Pomegranate-Chicken. Cooks will find inspiration to riff on, quick meals for hurried weeknights, condiments galore, and memorable meals to impress dinner guests. In essays throughout the book, Baraghani shares convictions (why everyone must make his beloved Persian egg dish, kuku sabzi) and lessons to live by (the importance of salting fish before cooking it).
The Cook You Want to Be is a trove of go-to recipes and knowledge, stunning photographs, and delicious, simple home cooking for modern times.
"This book is full of things I want to make and cook."-Yotam Ottolenghi
ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED COOKBOOKS OF 2022-Time, Delish, Food52
Andy Baraghani peeled hundreds of onions at Chez Panisse as a teenage intern, honed his perfectly balanced salad–making skills at Estela in New York, and developed recipes in the test kitchens of Saveur, Tasting Table, and Bon Appétit. It took him all those years to figure out the cook he wanted to be: a cook who is true to his Persian heritage, a fresh-vegetable lover, a citrus superfan, and an always-hungry world traveler. In The Cook You Want to Be, Baraghani shows home cooks on how to hone their own cooking styles by teaching the techniques and unexpected flavor combinations that maximize flavor in minimal time.
At Bon Appétit, Baraghani created a bevy of viral recipes-from Tahini Ranch to Fall-Apart Caramelized Cabbage-that became household staples. Here, he follows up with more umami-rich dishes, beautiful and restaurant-worthy meals (that take half the time), and well-known dishes recast in utterly delicious ways. Among his debut cookbook's 100 recipes, new surefire hits include Caramelized Sweet Potatoes with Browned Butter Harissa; Sticky, Spicy Basil Shrimp; and Tangy Pomegranate-Chicken. Cooks will find inspiration to riff on, quick meals for hurried weeknights, condiments galore, and memorable meals to impress dinner guests. In essays throughout the book, Baraghani shares convictions (why everyone must make his beloved Persian egg dish, kuku sabzi) and lessons to live by (the importance of salting fish before cooking it).
The Cook You Want to Be is a trove of go-to recipes and knowledge, stunning photographs, and delicious, simple home cooking for modern times.
Editorial Reviews
"Bold, contemporary flavors leap from the pages of Andy Baraghani's exciting book, enticing me to make everything he writes about. A multicultural roster of flavors infuses his recipes, from spicy, herbaceous, and garlicky sauces to smoky, crunchy appetizers and braised and roasted vegetables and meats . . . and, yes, a whole chapter on pasta too! The Cook You Want to Be lives up to its promise for anyone who wants to bring new flavors, textures, and techniques to the table-from one of the most dynamic cooks of our generation."-David Lebovitz, author of My Paris Kitchen and Drinking French
"‘That Andy boy is clever,' Andy thinks we'll think, once we've tried one of his salads. He's right! This book is full of things I want to make and cook, a selection of condiments and sauces I need a new shelf in the fridge for, and an altogether understandable obsession with sesame seeds. In The Cook You Want to Be, every recipe encourages us to take that one further twist or step to elevate it into the totally delicious."-Yotam Ottolenghi, author of Ottolenghi Flavor
"This is not so much a cookbook as it a friend with great taste (buds) who loves to gossip about food. I feel like Andy's cooking with me, a benevolent kitchen poltergeist guiding me toward the Kunz spoon as we perfect our sauces. We've snacked, we've saladed, we've fished. The food we made together is, of course, delicious."-Raven Smith, columnist for Vogue
"With The Cook You Want to Be, Andy Baraghani does more than provide you with a blueprint to making delicious recipes. He changes the way you think about building flavor and layering texture. Beautifully shot and entertaining to read, this is a book for everyone."-Dawn Davis, editor in chief of Bon Appétit
"What kind of cook do you want to be? If it's one who is curious, fun, and tasteful, you've come to the right place. Andy shows us how to create a range of exciting, deeply satisfying dishes while making it look easy. These days, it can be hard to choose between all the new cookbooks-this one is a must-have."-Ignacio Mattos, chef and author...
"‘That Andy boy is clever,' Andy thinks we'll think, once we've tried one of his salads. He's right! This book is full of things I want to make and cook, a selection of condiments and sauces I need a new shelf in the fridge for, and an altogether understandable obsession with sesame seeds. In The Cook You Want to Be, every recipe encourages us to take that one further twist or step to elevate it into the totally delicious."-Yotam Ottolenghi, author of Ottolenghi Flavor
"This is not so much a cookbook as it a friend with great taste (buds) who loves to gossip about food. I feel like Andy's cooking with me, a benevolent kitchen poltergeist guiding me toward the Kunz spoon as we perfect our sauces. We've snacked, we've saladed, we've fished. The food we made together is, of course, delicious."-Raven Smith, columnist for Vogue
"With The Cook You Want to Be, Andy Baraghani does more than provide you with a blueprint to making delicious recipes. He changes the way you think about building flavor and layering texture. Beautifully shot and entertaining to read, this is a book for everyone."-Dawn Davis, editor in chief of Bon Appétit
"What kind of cook do you want to be? If it's one who is curious, fun, and tasteful, you've come to the right place. Andy shows us how to create a range of exciting, deeply satisfying dishes while making it look easy. These days, it can be hard to choose between all the new cookbooks-this one is a must-have."-Ignacio Mattos, chef and author...
Readers Top Reviews
LACCKevin Bendera pe
This is a visually stunning cookbook with recipes that are creative and approachable. No regrets! Definitely recommend.
PaseoBAKS
In this day and age why no weight measurements? Most recipe writers today manage to do it. That said, I do like many of this book's recipes regardless of the somewhat overwrought headnotes which seem to be a cutesy feature of BA these days which I no longer read. The recipes themselves are well written, easy to follow with innovative ingredients that work well.
Deborah D. Oelerich
I was anxious to get this book after reading Andy’s interview in the WSJ . It was better than expected- every recipe made my list to try. The recipe info is helpful and the Mighty Little Recipes are all gems. How exciting to find recipes with enticing ingredients and that are approachable.
Atreides925
This is a must read for every at home chef, aspiring or otherwise. It’s a beautiful book - the perfect gift for others or for yourself. Buy this book!
Short Excerpt Teaser
Introduction
I really tried to not be a cook. I mean, this little gay Persian boy imagined he was going to be the next Al Pacino. Then, I thought I might be an anthropology professor. After I ghosted that idea, I put in a couple of years in the fashion world but grew tired of the lack of food in that industry.
Just because you love something deeply, I thought, doesn't mean you should make it your career. I think I feared that if I worked in kitchens, the job would suck the joy out of what was always more than a hobby-more like an obsession-to me.
Thing is, I don't remember a time when I was not obsessed with food. I remember going on a family trip to Paris when my sister and I were kids and we were each allowed to get one souvenir. She wanted a pair of leathery strappy black stilettos. I wanted a fancy restaurant meal with as many courses as I could get (I got five).
Eventually, I took one restaurant job that led to another. And over the years (15 now!), after putting in the time in and out of restaurants and editorial test kitchens, traveling around the world to (mostly) eat, and still constantly thinking about what I would cook for dinner, I've learned a lot that I'm excited to finally share in this book. I learned how to prep two buckets worth of onions lightning fast and to break down a whole lamb. I learned how pork shoulder, generally a tough cut of meat, will fall apart at the touch of a fork after gentle braising over low heat. I learned how to buy spices whole and toast them to get their fullest flavor. I picked up the habit of constantly tasting while I cook. I became an encyclopedia of ingredients. I may have even become slightly better than my mom (!) at making Persian rice. I now know that if the chicory I'm buying is small, tender, and barely bitter, it would be perfect in a salad. But if it's large and unruly, and so bitter it would make your mouth pucker, it should be browned in butter and gently cooked with a bit of stock. And I know there's still so much more for me to learn.
All of these experiences have helped me discover my own cooking style-a style that took time to develop. I crave simple, delicious cooking rather than dishes that are overly complicated. Generally, I keep a pretty tight pantry but I do admit to having a large collection of spices. I am picky about rice because it can have major mood swings compared with how pasta behaves. I want my food to look beautiful and to impress-not just your friends but yourself!
I know that my food may be a touch too lemony for some. And that I use what has been called a ridiculous amount of herbs. I prefer vegetables to meat. (But I still love meat!) I have an aversion to many kitchen tools and would rather do most tasks with my hands so I can slow down and relax a bit. I know that if I can't efficiently make a recipe in my tiny home kitchen, then I won't develop it.
The recipes that follow were formed by the lessons I've learned over time. Some are deeply personal; these are recipes inspired by the Persian food I grew up with, the restaurants I've worked at, or dishes I've tasted while traveling. I want you to make and love the recipes, and REALLY use this book until it is beautifully turmeric-stained all over. Maybe you're here to find some dinner inspiration. I got you. But these recipes will also teach you a few tricks, answer questions you may have about a technique, or lead you to discover that maybe you're not that into parsley (But are you sure??)
There are a few cooking rules I live by and think you should too:
RULE NO. 1: COOK THE UNFAMILIAR
If you see an ingredient you've never seen before, whether a sheep's milk cheese, an uncommon citrus, or an olive you've never tasted, buy it if it's in your budget! So much of the joy of cooking is exploring and learning about new ingredients. Don't ever get too comfortable.
RULE NO. 2: KEEP IT ORGANIZED
Look, I wouldn't give myself a 10 in cleanliness but my score is pretty good. I'm not telling you to do dishes in between cooking, but rather to keep things organized and tidy so you don't get overwhelmed and forget your next move. I like organized chaos. I find it facilitates the best kind of cooking.
RULE NO. 3: LOSE THE GADGETS
Certain tools are essential to becoming a great cook-a sharp knife, a well-seasoned pan, a durable cutting board. I am wary of tools for specific tasks and technology that take the joy out of cooking. You will not find a garlic press in my kitchen and never will I own an Instant Pot.
RULE ...
I really tried to not be a cook. I mean, this little gay Persian boy imagined he was going to be the next Al Pacino. Then, I thought I might be an anthropology professor. After I ghosted that idea, I put in a couple of years in the fashion world but grew tired of the lack of food in that industry.
Just because you love something deeply, I thought, doesn't mean you should make it your career. I think I feared that if I worked in kitchens, the job would suck the joy out of what was always more than a hobby-more like an obsession-to me.
Thing is, I don't remember a time when I was not obsessed with food. I remember going on a family trip to Paris when my sister and I were kids and we were each allowed to get one souvenir. She wanted a pair of leathery strappy black stilettos. I wanted a fancy restaurant meal with as many courses as I could get (I got five).
Eventually, I took one restaurant job that led to another. And over the years (15 now!), after putting in the time in and out of restaurants and editorial test kitchens, traveling around the world to (mostly) eat, and still constantly thinking about what I would cook for dinner, I've learned a lot that I'm excited to finally share in this book. I learned how to prep two buckets worth of onions lightning fast and to break down a whole lamb. I learned how pork shoulder, generally a tough cut of meat, will fall apart at the touch of a fork after gentle braising over low heat. I learned how to buy spices whole and toast them to get their fullest flavor. I picked up the habit of constantly tasting while I cook. I became an encyclopedia of ingredients. I may have even become slightly better than my mom (!) at making Persian rice. I now know that if the chicory I'm buying is small, tender, and barely bitter, it would be perfect in a salad. But if it's large and unruly, and so bitter it would make your mouth pucker, it should be browned in butter and gently cooked with a bit of stock. And I know there's still so much more for me to learn.
All of these experiences have helped me discover my own cooking style-a style that took time to develop. I crave simple, delicious cooking rather than dishes that are overly complicated. Generally, I keep a pretty tight pantry but I do admit to having a large collection of spices. I am picky about rice because it can have major mood swings compared with how pasta behaves. I want my food to look beautiful and to impress-not just your friends but yourself!
I know that my food may be a touch too lemony for some. And that I use what has been called a ridiculous amount of herbs. I prefer vegetables to meat. (But I still love meat!) I have an aversion to many kitchen tools and would rather do most tasks with my hands so I can slow down and relax a bit. I know that if I can't efficiently make a recipe in my tiny home kitchen, then I won't develop it.
The recipes that follow were formed by the lessons I've learned over time. Some are deeply personal; these are recipes inspired by the Persian food I grew up with, the restaurants I've worked at, or dishes I've tasted while traveling. I want you to make and love the recipes, and REALLY use this book until it is beautifully turmeric-stained all over. Maybe you're here to find some dinner inspiration. I got you. But these recipes will also teach you a few tricks, answer questions you may have about a technique, or lead you to discover that maybe you're not that into parsley (But are you sure??)
There are a few cooking rules I live by and think you should too:
RULE NO. 1: COOK THE UNFAMILIAR
If you see an ingredient you've never seen before, whether a sheep's milk cheese, an uncommon citrus, or an olive you've never tasted, buy it if it's in your budget! So much of the joy of cooking is exploring and learning about new ingredients. Don't ever get too comfortable.
RULE NO. 2: KEEP IT ORGANIZED
Look, I wouldn't give myself a 10 in cleanliness but my score is pretty good. I'm not telling you to do dishes in between cooking, but rather to keep things organized and tidy so you don't get overwhelmed and forget your next move. I like organized chaos. I find it facilitates the best kind of cooking.
RULE NO. 3: LOSE THE GADGETS
Certain tools are essential to becoming a great cook-a sharp knife, a well-seasoned pan, a durable cutting board. I am wary of tools for specific tasks and technology that take the joy out of cooking. You will not find a garlic press in my kitchen and never will I own an Instant Pot.
RULE ...
