Cooking at Home: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying about Recipes (and Love My Microwave): A Cookbook

David Chang, the founder of Momofuku and star of Netflix's Ugly Delicious, offers a practical guide to home cooking that rejects rigid recipes in favor of flexible techniques. As a new parent with a growing family, Chang draws inspiration from his mother and food writer Priya Krishna’s mom to develop methods that are fast, delicious, and intentionally imperfect. The book focuses on the culinary dark arts of shortcuts and hacks, showing readers how to substitute ingredients and adapt dishes without stress. Chang explains how to approach cooking by starting with basic templates and then exploring endless variations. He covers subjects such as using frozen vegetables effectively and learning when to taste and adjust a meal rather than following instructions blindly. The text details specific strategies like parcooking chicken in a microwave before adding flavor for quick stir-fries or stews. This approach allows home cooks to think like a chef who has learned to stop thinking like one, emphasizing speed and adaptability over precision. This volume suits those tired of meticulous cooking processes and seeking efficient dinner solutions. It does not appeal to readers who prefer formal recipes with exact measurements or traditional culinary techniques. Chang’s advice centers on the smartest ways to cook at home, making it relevant for busy individuals who want great results without the hard work typical of professional kitchens.