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Back to Basics

100 Simple Classic Recipes With a Twist
ksoles
Jan 03, 2014ksoles rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Just a year after publishing "Fast Flavours," the eminently likeable celebrity chef Michael Smith has returned with a new book that sings his familiar refrain: feel free to, in fact, please DO experiment with the recipes. Smith splits "Back to Basics" into 8 sections such as salads, meats, vegetarian and baking/treats and includes standard fare like roast chicken, mashed potatoes and Caesar salad. Intermediate and advanced cooks may find the recipes too simple but students and newer kitchen denizens will find clear, easy to follow instructions on creating several well-rounded menus. Each recipe includes a "twist" inside a boxed paragraph. These twists offer suggestions for different ingredients/flavourings or even different cooking methods and add a new dimension to the food for those who master the original recipes and want to try a change. Ultimately, the twists turn a basic book of recipes into an introduction on how take your cooking to the next level. With its beautiful full page photos, this solid recipe book recommends itself easily. Both the newer cooks and the more experienced can fill their kitchens with wonderful food following Smith's loose yet expert guidelines.