Quote:
Originally posted by Replaced_Texan
Wonk, have you read The Man Who Ate Everything? There's a whole chapter dedicated to the making of the perfect mashed potato.
I highly recommend the book for anyone who enjoys food. It's a little dated, but it's a collection of essays by the food critic for Vogue, and it is excellent. He builds up from the basic concept of nutrition, to ingredients, to simple meals, to regions of the world. There are essays on ketchup, water, bread, the French, Kobe beef, truffles, produce, sustinance, etc. Sometimes he goes into the science of cooking (like in the mashed potato chapter), and sometimes he goes into the culture (his essay on Japan had me ready to buy a ticket immediately). It's pretty funny too. I understand that he has a new collection out and I can't wait to read it.
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I haven't read Steingarten's book, but I'm a big fan of his writing. I'll have to check it out, along with the new book by Alan Richman, of GQ and Bon Appetit.
My favorite eating books of all time, though, are three out-of-print books by Calvin Trillin: American Fried, Alice, Let's Eat, and Third Helpings. Trillin is an amazing writer, and his passion for "pure research" in the area of good food was truly inspiring.
