Heston Blumenthal: In Search of Perfection: Reinventing Kitchen Classics

Heston Blumenthal: In Search of Perfection: Reinventing Kitchen Classics
by Heston Blumenthal

Heston Blumenthal: In Search of Perfection: Reinventing Kitchen Classics
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Book Summary Information

Author: Heston Blumenthal
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2006-10-31
ISBN: 1596912502
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Book Reviews of Heston Blumenthal: In Search of Perfection: Reinventing Kitchen Classics

Book Review: Food preparation...above and beyond the call of duty
Summary: 5 Stars

An interesting read for the culinary inclined!

This book, by Heston Blumenthal is an in-depth discussion about the history, ingredients and food preparation of 8 different food dishes. The end result is a culinary offering that he'd be willing to describe as near 'perfection'. However, he's the first to admit that 'perfection' is obviously a very subjective matter.

The choices for this book include the following...

1.)Roast Chicken and Roast Potatoes
2.)Pizza
3.)Bangers and Mash (sausages and mashed potatoes)
4.)Steaks
5.)Spaghetti Bolognese
6.)Fish and Chips
7.)Black Forest Gateau
8.)Treacle Tart and Ice Cream

All recipes found in this book were developed after extensive research and travel. The best authorities of the region(s) involved were visited (on both sides of the Atlantic) and consulted to learn special cooking techniques and to obtain the best ingredients. Then further research and testing was done back home (England) in an attempt to create the 'perfect' dish.

Blumenthal freely admits in the 'Introduction' that this effort was not intended to be a 'cookbook' as such, more rather a personal attempt to do something he's always wanted to do, now that he has the resources to do so. An with this in mind, the book has accomplished its goals.

Anyone contemplating making any of these intriguing and beautiful meals, be forewarned, there is a huge degree of impracticality about all of these recipes. For Example, the chicken in 'Roast Chicken and Roast Potatoes' comes only from Bresse area of France, the potato from England. The 'Steak' recipe uses a specific type of beef that is browned with a blow torch and then the meat must be slowly heated to 120F (using a digital thermometer to make sure it doesn't exceed 120F) in an oven (this takes 4-8 hrs) before finally being cooked in a pan. The 'Treacle Tart and Ice Cream' recipe requires 'dry ice' to make the ice cream, etc. All recipes are unique and use items, ingredients and techniques that most of us would never have access to, nor the time to prepare such extravagant meals. Although, having said that, there is a photograph at the end of each section showing the final creation. WOW, simply mouth watering!

In the back of the book there is a 'Directory', listing Restaurants, suppliers and addresses of places where you can eat or get ingredients; places that Mr. Blumenthal visited on his travels to make this book.

Conclusion: A fun and informative culinary read. A look at the art of food preparation that has been taken to the next level. 5 Stars

Ray Nicholson


Summary of Heston Blumenthal: In Search of Perfection: Reinventing Kitchen Classics

Fish and chips; roast chicken; spaghetti bolognese; steak and salad; pizza; sausages and mashed potatoes; black forest cake; and treacle tart and ice cream: all as good as they can possibly be. With this book, a tie-in to the BBC series of the same name, Michelin three-star winner Heston Blumenthal delivers the absolute last word in how to cook these timeless dishes. He looks at the origin of the dishes, how to find the best ingredients (in America as well as in the UK) and what to look for, and, of course, how to cook them to perfection. Along the way, readers are treated to priceless culinary lessons: everything from how to cut potatoes for flawless frying to where to find the choicest beef to the two secret ingredients in spaghetti Bolognese (nutmeg and cream!). Lavishly illustrated with gorgeous photos, and including "perfect" recipes for each dish, this unrivaled book deserves a place as a staple in every cook's home.

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