Cooking for Two

cover of Cooking for Two by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough

Did I own any cookbooks when I came in to this relationship? I would say so, but we haven’t talked about any yet. Maybe her taste is just better than mine.

As you could guess this is a Natasha book. It contains a surprising variety of recipes that feel like they were made for two people, instead of larger recipes that are cut down in size. Many are quick (though there are some for those longer nights), and it has treated us well so far. I would recommend it for someone who wants to learn how to cook a decent meal for themselves or (of course) for one other person.

Number of recipes in the book: 120 (so says the front cover)
Number we’ve cooked: 3 (Note from Natasha: As of 15 June 2010, this is the most used cookbook.)… Continue reading →

Asian Cook by Terry Tan – GIFTED

Cover to Asian Cook by Terry Tan (unknown edition)

I think I got this book at Williams-Sonoma, but I’m not sure. It might have been a similar place (a small business in Santa Fe or Los Alamos, if not WS). All I recall is that I rarely bought things at that store, but loved to look. So when I saw this book marked down to $8.00, and filled with gorgeous photos of food I really wanted to eat, I snapped it up.

I haven’t since managed to cook out of it. It’s a little challenging at places, because it has normal pages, as well as pages that fold out (I’m always a touch concerned about tearing them). Furthermore, I don’t have the equipment for a lot of it.

Oh, but I want it. This book really breaks it down and talks about various styles of cooking in Asia, and the tools needed and the techniques used.… Continue reading →

[12] Escarole, White Bean and Roasted Garlic Soup

Cover of Cooking for Two: 120 Recipes for Every Day and Those Special Nights by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough

Right now, you’re probably saying “wait, didn’t they already make this once? 13 entries and they can’t keep from repeating?” Well, WE CAN’T HEAR YOU, YOUR MICROPHONE ISN’T ON.

I mean, ah… Not exactly. This is a recipe out of a different book. Last time we used spinach instead of escarole, and this one has roasted garlic in it! What isn’t better with roasted garlic1?

Natasha made this dinner, but I’m typing it up for her.

h2. Ingredients

3 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
1 T olive oil

2 oz pancetta, finely chopped

1 sm onion, finely chopped

1 small head escarole (~12 oz), cored, shredded and washed, but not dried

14.5 oz can of chicken stock (we used home-made!)

1/4 t rubbed sage (we used whole, kind of chopped up.… Continue reading →

[11] Pasta Bolognese

Cooking for Two: 120 Recipes for Every Day and Those Special Nights

These two authors? I think they are not quite as good at writing recipes for two as they claim. HOWEVER, they might be better at it than just about any other “for two” cookbook authors I’ve read. This recipe, like the last one from this book, made over two servings. It made one Bill serving and two Tasha servings, and the second Tasha serving might have been a bit skimpy. When we get to one of my favorite chickpea recipes out of Healthy Cooking for Two Or Just You we’ll hit a recipe that claims to be for two, but seems to make enough for four or so.

The lovely thing about this book so far is that the authors do seem to have a good sense of the timing of their recipes.… Continue reading →