Leiths Techniques Bible

Rating:
Summary: A solid foundation for those venturing into cooking
Review: The Pru Leith cooking school is one of the more respected establishments in culinary education. This book is given to the students of their course as both a reference and tutorial text, documenting the core techniques that provide the foundation of successful cooking.

This is not a recipe book, but a book that focuses on the how's and why's of cooking, without this knowledge, having 100 recipe books on your shelf would never in a lifetime make you a success in the kitchen. This book is a catalyst for your recipe books, an enhancer, approach your recipe books after you have been through this book, and you will feel more confident knowing what you are doing, and why you are doing it.

This book is well laid out, starting by providing comprehensive information on kitchen equipment, which pots are suitable for which dishes, and important information on kitchen tools, such as selecting the right knives, and looking after them. Cutting and chopping techniques, kitchen and food hygiene, and quantity estimation for catering and preparing food for large groups of people.

An alphabetical index is then provided, A-Z, guiding you through a wealth information on all relevant foods and techniques, how to fry, how to prepare eggs, information on the different types of meats, vegetables and fruits.

I've had this book for a week, and I feel a new found confidence in the kitchen I never had before with my 7 year collection of recipe books with their "1 Page" instructions on how to prepare a certain recipe.

If you are serious about cooking decent food, make this your next investment.