"On Food and Cooking" is a unique blend of culinary lore and scientific explanation that examines food -- its history, its make-up, and its behavior when we cook it, cool it, dice it, age it, or otherwise prepare it for eating. Generously spiced with historical and literary anecdote, it covers all the major food categories, from meat and potatoes to sauce bearnaise and champagne. Easy-to-understand scientific explanations throw light on such mysteries as why you can whip cream but not milk; what makes white meat white; ...
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"On Food and Cooking" is a unique blend of culinary lore and scientific explanation that examines food -- its history, its make-up, and its behavior when we cook it, cool it, dice it, age it, or otherwise prepare it for eating. Generously spiced with historical and literary anecdote, it covers all the major food categories, from meat and potatoes to sauce bearnaise and champagne. Easy-to-understand scientific explanations throw light on such mysteries as why you can whip cream but not milk; what makes white meat white; whether searing really seals in flavor; how to tell stale eggs from fresh; why "fruits" ripen and "vegetables" don't; how to save a sauce; what hops do; and what happens when you knead dough. A chapter on nutrition reveals that Americans have been obsessed with their diet since the 1800s and exposes the fallacies behind food fads past and present. There's a section on additives -- a not-so-new addition to food -- and taste and smell, our two pleasure-giving versions of the oldest sense on earth. With more than 200 illustrations, including extraordinary photographs of food taken through the electron microscope, this book will delight and fascinate anyone who has ever cooked, savored, or wondered about food.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Very good book. Cover shows some corner, edge & scuffing wear and has a small crease at the bottom of the spine that was probably done in binding the book and a small crease at the bottom of the back edge. Pages are clean & tight with some corner, edge & tanning wear and a few bent corner tips.
This is a wonderful book but it took weeks to arrive and, when it did, the base of the spine was broken. It won't survive much more than one read which is a pity as it is a very valuable reference book which I would have returned to many times. I'll be forced to search out another copy. I suspect this book has been kept in poor conditions.
juanra
Mar 12, 2009
This is a very interesting book.
Many chemistry explained. In few moments are a bit arid.
jewel
Feb 14, 2008
love it
I have the first edition which I bought new when it came out and just love it. I looked for copies for my son and for my friend. They love to cook and are curious about the 'how' and 'why' of it. I found the hard cover on Alibris for half the amount my other favorite local retailer was selling it. It's full of interesting info lilke why a cut apple turns brown, why egg whites won't whip in a plastic bowl, the origin of foods. What is a 'caper' anyway? The answers are all there.
Sarita
Jan 9, 2008
Help in the Kitchen
This is one of those books that cooks, not matter how experienced, really need to have on the shelf.
The science of cooking is something many of us are just not taught in school or by our cooking teachers (parents included!) and someone like Mr McGee makes it easy to learn the basics that will transform anyone into a much better cook, even if its just cooking for one!
