The secret of cooking Recipes for an easier life in the kitchen

This is the secret of cooking, according to Wilson: find ways to enjoy time in the kitchen. The food writer and home cook delivers a divorce memoir in the guise of a cookbook, sharing her tips for how best to heal a broken heart. Chapter titles such as "Cut yourself some slack," "Treat cooking as a remedy," and "Be your own guest" woo vulnerable souls, regardless of how adept they are in the kitchen. Tips are aimed at culinary newcomers, but almost anyone can find a takeaway. Some "secrets" include adding water to a dish instead of salt or oil, or having a backup plan (for example, extra sauces in the freezer) should things not go as planned. One chapter focuses solely on how to treat a carrot, be it grated, cooked, or roasted. Wilson encourages readers to create self-love instead of the perfect meal. While this book recommends ways to make time in the kitchen more pleasant, it ultimately highlights cooking as a technique for home chefs to channel their authentic selves and survive a difficult time.

In her first full-length cookbook, Wilson (The Way We Eat Now) doesn't stray far from her roots as a food writer and journalist. A quirky table of contents is the first clue that this isn't a typical cookbook, with headings like "Teach yourself to cook with a carrot" and "Something to take your mind off of it (whatever it is)." Wilson delivers musings on food and cooking that touch on technique and recipe-building but focus on the heart of the emotions found in the kitchen. Cooking philosophy and kitchen meditations surround recipes that are simple yet sturdy and include pairings and variation where appropriate. The occasional photograph or illustration carries the narrative forward, but there is no mistaking this is a cookbook for readers. This is a perfect addition to library shelves for patrons who enjoy the emotional connection with cooking and can't get enough of other authors like Ella Risbridger and Ruby Tandoh. VERDICT While best for cookbook readers, Wilson's book provides plenty to learn for all levels of home cooks who have the desire to indulge in the contemplation and wisdom she provides.--Sarah Tansley