Cookwise :

[hippywife]

the hows and whys of successful cooking by Shirley O. Corriher.

I've just started reading this "cookbook" and it really is very informative. I have the follow-up "Bakewise" on hold request at the library, too.

Anyone else checked these out?

[hippywife]

1. Adding link:

http://www.amazon.com/Cookwise-Revealed-Shirley-O-Corriher/dp/0688102298/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227456094&sr=8-1

[housewolf]

2. Ohee of the most fascinating and informative of all my cookbooks

I turn to it regularly, both for recipes and for information about how to make things work better. Shirly Corriher is SO smart... and you can see her show up on Good Eats every once in a while to explain something.

Congrats of finding such a great resource!

:hi:

[hippywife]

3. I don't have cable and don't watch TV much at all

but I heard her interviewed on The Splendid Table last week on NPR so I checked her out. At the time out library didn't have Bakewise so I just checked out Cookwise. When I checked again today, they had Bakewise so I requested it...I'm only number 2 in line for the next copy.

I think these are going to be books I'm going to want to own. Your recommendation is icing on the cake and confirmation of what I thought.

Thanx for your input, darlin'. Really appreciate it. :hug:

[hippywife]

4. This has an excellent, flaky butter crust recipe

in it. My other half used it for the pumpkin pies and it worked. It's really a matter of technique than ingredients. Some of you may already be more familiar with it but it was the first time I've heard of it.

Instead of cutting the butter into the flour like most recipes instruct, this method involves cutting the butter into chunks and rolling it into the flour with a pin. You do it a couple of times, chilling in between to keep the fat nice and cold. It stretches the fat through the flour and creates a much flakier crust.

[pengillian101]

5. I have never heard of that.

No wonder though, I am not a pie dough maker. I used to like to bake cakes and such. Not pies.

However I LOVE chicken pot pie with a good crust. I cannot make it as well as my Schawns.com delivery guy brings it to me. Really truly the best pot pie - 5 minutes in the microwave - tent the box so it doesn't touch the crust - and another 5 minutes before you open the microwave door.

Better than homemade!