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Simple Cooking

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John Thorne's classic first collection is filled with straightforward eating, home cooking, vigorous opinions, and the gracefully intelligent writing that makes him a cult favorite of people who like to think about food. "Incisive, hilarious and occasionally nostalgic, this volume will delight many readers, reminding them why they enjoy the pleasures of food and cooking. "--Publishers Weekly

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

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John Thorne

130 books32 followers

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5 stars
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47 (26%)
3 stars
14 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Stuart .
314 reviews9 followers
December 7, 2017
...a bowl of olives, a carafe of green oil, some peasant bread, salt. And, of course, some of the most scandalous conversation in Europe...May we all have the chance to dine so well.

there is hardly a single cookbook in existence in which the author encourages us to share in the muddles and mistakes...that shapes the experience of the real cook

cocoa is a morning drink for children - except on that rare morning when you yourself have time to linger...as you sit, lazy, quilt-wrapped, in the easy chair, sifting through the paper for the crossword, brain purring on idle. This is where it [cocoa] comes into its own.

zucchini...the fecundity of this squash soon enough turns to terror.

...I had spent the evening in the lair of some feral but friendly, culinary inclined beast.
Profile Image for Erika.
138 reviews5 followers
January 27, 2009
Oh, I loved this book. Before finishing it I made the best oatmeal of my life from the porridge chapter and one large Breton fart, from one of the Kitchen Diaries chapters (winter, I believe). I can't wait to try more.

I especially enjoyed the introduction on recipe comparison, and other chapters on hot chocolate, porridge, corn cakes, tians, picnics, loving to cook, and intimate cuisine.

Why had I not read this sooner?!
Profile Image for Kathleen Cooper.
29 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2009
John's an opinionated guy, but I like a cook who argues with the status quo. I love his curmudgeonly point of view and the fine writing. He also makes a killer mac and cheese
Profile Image for Kerith.
640 reviews
July 13, 2011
Beautifully written and delicious. I recommend you not read it before bed (I always had to have a snack!) but if you like to read about food this is not to be missed.

18 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2012
This book had me salivating through the author's descriptions.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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