This Will Make It Taste Good: A New Path to Simple Cooking
✍️ Howard, VivianVivian Howard guides home cooks through ten flavor heroes for simple, accessible recipes.
Howard structures this cookbook around ten specific flavor enhancers that brighten and define food. These include spiced nuts, spicy pickled tomatoes, and deeply caramelized onions. The approach treats these items as kitchen crutches or adventures to add joy. Recipes rely on ingredients easy to find and keep, such as prepared chicken and common vegetables. The text blends instruction with personal narratives about life. It does not protect readers from kitchen time but helps them use it better. Many dishes are dead-easy meals for when one is limping toward dinner. The collection reflects the author’s mission to make simple food exciting for any skill level.
This book sits within the tradition of American Southern States cuisine, specifically Eastern North Carolina. It draws on home economics and comfort food traditions. Howard previously established her authority with Deep Run Roots, which received four IACP awards including Cookbook of the Year.
📝 Description: This Will Make It Taste Good: A New Path to Simple Cooking
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Home cooks seeking accessible methods for simple food will find this guide invaluable. Howard offers ten flavor heroes, such as spiced nuts and caramelized onions, to transform basic ingredients like chicken and kale into exciting meals. The book is ideal for busy individuals who want productive kitchen time without complexity. With over half the recipes being vegetarian or gluten-free, it accommodates various dietary needs. Readers enjoy the blend of practical instruction and personal narrative, which uses food as a language to discuss life. It empowers cooks to view their fridge contents with new potential, turning common vegetables into the stars of easy, joyful dishes.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Howard’s approach prioritizes flavor enhancement over intricate technique, making it suitable for those wanting to elevate simple ingredients. However, readers seeking complex culinary techniques or diverse international cuisines will likely find this book less relevant. The focus remains strictly on accessible, Southern-tinged home cooking using common pantry staples. While the inclusion of personal stories adds warmth, it may not appeal to cooks who prefer concise, instruction-only formats. This volume is best for those interested in American traditions and practical home economics who want to make time in the kitchen more productive rather than avoiding it altogether.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
Home cooks seeking accessible meals who value flavor over complexity. Ideal for those with limited time or energy, including beginners and busy parents. It suits anyone wanting to elevate simple ingredients without mastering advanced techniques or spending hours in the kitchen.
