Cook Like a Pro

This book is a bible of essential kitchen tools and cooking techniques. The first section is a comprehensive guide to basic tools and equipment for the home kitchen, with special features explaining the differences among cookware materials and a primer on cutlery styles and uses. The second section contains more than 250 cooking techniques that will help you accomplish tricky cooking tasks—cutting vegetables into a variety of shapes; boning and skinning a chicken breast; preparing and shaping fresh pasta dough; and filling and frosting a layer cake. Troubleshooting tips show you what can go wrong and how to fix it without having to start again. Also included are more than 50 recipe staples, such as buttermilk pancakes, perfect poached salmon, classic roast chicken, sautÉed summer vegetables, homemade chicken and beef stock, and dozens of vinaigrettes and sauces—many featuring flavorful variations. Even when using a recipe from another cookbook, Tools & Techniques will be your guide to beating egg whites to stiff peaks, shucking oysters, carving a bone-in roast, and scores of other kitchen tasks. Table of Contents Tools Bakeware Bakeware Materials Baking Tools Cook’s Tools Cookware Cookware Materials Cutlery & Accessories Knife Construction Electrics Grilling Tools Measuring Tools & Timers Pasta & Bread Equipment Techniques Baking & Pastry Basics Breads & Batters Cakes Cookies & Bars Cooking Basics Egg Cookery Fish Fruit Grains & Legumes Grilling Basics Herbs & Spices Knife Skills Meat Pasta Pies & Tarts Poultry Sauces Shellfish Stocks Vegetables