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When his oldest son was leaving for college, Cal Peternell, the chef of San Francisco’s legendary Chez Panisse, realized that, although he regularly made dinners for his family, he’d never taught them the basics of cooking. Based on the life-altering course of instruction he prepared and honed through many phone calls with his son, Twelve Recipes is the ultimate introduction to the kitchen. Peternell focuses on the core foods and dishes that comprise a successful home cook’s arsenal, each building skill upon skill—from toast, eggs, and beans, to vinaigrettes, pasta with tomato, and rice, to vegetables, soup, meats, and cake.
I purchased Twelve Recipes earlier this year after reading several rave reviews, and I’ve really enjoyed cooking from it ever since. This book is about mastering the basics through the witty instruction of a seasoned chef. As a food blogger, I find myself looking at and testing out a constant stream of new recipes for inspiration. With so many recipes coming out daily, it can be easy to lose sight of the basics. Perhaps that’s why I found myself eagerly flipping through the pages of Twelve Recipes. Some recipes were reminders of the techniques I’ve already mastered (vinaigrette, eggs in general, breadcrumbs, roast chicken) while other recipes provided new insight. Let’s take rice as an example. I’ve been cooking rice frequently for over 10 years, and after testing out Peternell’s technique, I’m a changed man. More details on that coming up this week. Keep reading for the cookbook giveaway below.
I would highly recommend this book for novice and expert cooks alike. If you are a beginner, you’ll find all of the resources and techniques throughout the book incredibly valuable. If you are a more experienced cook, you may just find a surprise or two in the pages of Twelve Recipes. Either way, you will enjoy the essays and recipes. They read as if Peternell is an old friend, and you are just chatting with him over coffee. So many passages made me smile.
There use to be an ad campaign from the American Egg Board, a group you don’t hear much from anymore-they were fragile, one images, and easily beaten. It featured a little jingle: the incredible edible egg. Catchy, and though “edible” sets a low bar by touting what I’d call a minimum requirement, “incredible” perhaps actually understates how really amazing, culinarily, eggs are. Rising and falling everywhere from mayonnaise to meringue, eggs are indispensable in the kitchen at all levels and fully deserve the praise they so abundantly receive.
Enter to win a copy of Twelve recipes below. I should also mention that there aren’t just twelve recipes in this book. It’s more like 12 collections of recipes broken down in themes (eggs, salad, pasta, chicken, cake to name a few).
Photos and quotes from Twelve Recipes by Cal Peternell.
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Justin Franklin says
There’s nothing so comforting to me as a simple frittata, – throwing leftovers of potatoes, chicken, whatever herbs I have lying around. Alone, it’s breakfast; with a simple salad it’s lunch; paired with a nice roast it’s a side for dinner.
Brandon Matzek says
I totally agree with you! I also enjoy frittata on a slice of toasted, garlic-rubbed bread topped with leftover tomato sauce.
Sippitysup says
12 or 20 I’d love to get my hands on this book. GREG
Heather says
Much to my surprise (being nearly 100% German), handmade corn tortillas. So simple, so great.
Lily Lau says
Thank you for the giveaway, Brandon! 🙂
Heather says
Guacamole is my go-to. I know some wouldn’t call it a a full blown recipe (maybe because it’s “just” a dip. But it’s what I’m known for and I could eat it all day, every day.
Teslaca says
When I’m tired and don’t feel like cooking much, eggs are my go-to food. I make them several ways: omelets, scrambled with vegetables, soft-boiled or fried on toast. They’re a quick and easy meal that can also use up other small bits of leftovers. No recipe required!
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
My go-to recipe is my homemade granola. It’s the only thing we eat for breakfast. My daughters (now grown) make it too.
Lily says
An avocado with salt, pepper, and a splash of lime juice is my go to “recipe”.
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
I am intrigued by this cookbook (can never have enough!) My staple is definitely a roasted vegetable spaghetti sauce (completely vegan now that I think of it, but meat can easily be added to the dish.)
Lisa says
I love eggs and now you’ve got me singing the incredible edible egg jingle. The cookbook sounds wonderful. I’m going to check it out.
Holly E says
My favorite is Spinach Quiche.
kristy @ the wicked noodle says
It’s rare that I truly want a cookbook bu you have sold me on this one!!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
I want this book, so if I don’t win, totally am buying it! My without recipe, go-to, meal is pasta and red sauce. My Grandma’s red sauce flows through my veins. I can make it simple or use it as a base to make any number of other sauce recipes. This sauce is what comforts me when ill, sad, or stressed.
Sylvia Masuda says
My one go-to dish is one from my mom — fried SPAM and sticky rice. It’s filling, it’s savory, and it reminds me of home. Bonus points if you caramelize some onions as a garnish!
Susan | LunaCafe says
Love your description of this book. It’s an interesting approach. Will check it out, thanks!
Shrutika Sachdev says
I need a new way to make rice!
Beth Dunlop says
This book sounds great — for cooks who follow recipes and cooks who don’t. I tend to read recipes avariciously and then close the book(s) and just cook.
JamieK says
I’m a firm believer in the basics and techniques. This would be the perfect book for my niece who will be graduating from university next year and will be on her own!
jan says
tomato basil soup.
Tina W. says
Brownies! Do they count as a “dish”?
Brandon Matzek says
Of course they do :)!
Dana says
I have been making my own pizza dough for so long now, I think I could do it in my sleep.
Lisa says
My go-to is what my roommates and I call “lazy pasta” – lots of olive oil and grana and lemon juice and whatever green thing is in our house sauteed with shallots or onions. I never tire of it!
Patty says
I love when authors write like they’re conversing with a friend. What a great giveaway!
Sue @ It's Okay to Eat the Cupcake says
Just got this for my son in college for Christmas, great book!
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) says
I am always looking for new cookbooks (much to my husband’s dismay), and this is one I need to add to the list. Looking forward to reading and trying out the recipes in here!
Lisa Stover says
Porcupine meatballs with mashed potatoes. It’s a hit with everyone in my house and so easy to make.
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) says
Ack! I hit comment too quickly (above)! Forgot to get my recipe response here! My “can make it with my eyes closed” recipe is definitely my baked french toast. So easy, so creamy, so crunchy, and so delicious!
Stephanie Galbraith says
Our family makes chili mac.
Van says
Way exciting!
Sarah says
my favorite go-to dish is roasted veggies with quinoa – and some cheese sprinkled on top. 🙂
Dorothy Teel says
The one dish that my entire family loves when I make it is chicken and yellow rice, it is easy quick and it can go a long way by adding more rice and raising 4 boys, these kind of recipes was essential to our budget
Abby Wei says
My favorite dish right now is sweet potato fries 🙂 they’re increasingly easy to make (with practice) and is something my 18 year-old self can do for my family when my parents are busy with work!
Rachel says
A wrap made of tomatoes and mozzarella cheese in a tortilla, fried in olive oil or, preferably, bacon fat
Mirlandra @ Mirlandra's Kitchen says
This looks really wonderful. I know some people I would love to give it to!
Jenni says
I’m much more of a baker, though I can make a basic tomato sauce from scratch, as well as latkes and a braised leg of lamb. I could certainly do with learning more cooking basics!
Penny Snyder says
My go to dish would be cowboy baked beans!!
Liz S. says
My kids love love love an old Cooking Light recipe for Pasta e Fagioli. No recipe is needed any more, and I’m sure it’s something they will cook for themselves as well. Very interested in this cookbook, just read your post about cooking rice. It’s how our Indian friend cooked his basmati!
J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats says
Anything with an egg and cheese. Conversely, also really good fruit salads – especially the Mexican ones.
Terry says
My all time favorite would have to be eggs (with whatever else speaks to me from the kitchen), but roast chicken is a close second, and pasta (so many different ways) is the really close third.
I’d love to win this book. I took it out of the library and was so impressed that I bought it for a gift already. It really is a great book for new and experienced cooks.
Shirley Y says
My favorite go to recipe is macaroni & cheese
Joshua Mitchell says
Magic Bacon
Bridget Brisk says
Moving into our first house in June – definitely want to try out lots of fun new recipes in my first real kitchen 🙂
Barbara says
My go-to recipe is pasta al pomodoro!
Debby says
I recently just started loving cooking again, so it is hard to choose… but I think I would go with shepherd’s pie.
Angela P says
This book sounds great!
Sj Dc says
To spruce up and use any leftovers, use eggs – scramble, poach, fry and just top it over the leftovers! delish, simple, easy, quick and a cleaned refrigerator!
Valerie says
Basic cooking….excellent! Looks like my kind of book! Thanks for the opportunity! Cheers, Valerie 🙂
Carolsue says
I have several, but I will say lasagna or baked lemon chicken