The Food52 Cookbook, Volume 2

Starred review from December 3, 2012
Food writers Hesser and Stubbs founded the award-winning cooking website Food52.com to "crowd-source" a cookbook from home cooks through recipe contests. In the process, a "constructive community" arose: "one that builds, makes, grows, cooks and does things together." Their new book (The Food52 Cookbook was in 2011) presents the winning recipes from 52 "best of" contests from one year of www.food52.com, plus 23 stand-out wildcard winners that the authors chose from the sites archives. The 140 recipes total, both traditional and charmingly unexpected, are beautifully photographed and organized by season. Fall includes Your Best Non-Pie Thanksgiving Dessert, Ginger Apple Tort and Your Best Potato Pancakes, Variegated Spiced Latkes. Winter brings Short Rib Ragu and wildcard winner Shrimp Gumbo. Spring includes best dumplings recipe Afghan Dumplings with Lamb Kofta and Yogurt Sauce and best spring vegetable recipe, Shaved Asparagus and Mint Salad. For summer, there's Corn Salad with Cilantro and Caramelized Onion, Your Best Corn Off The Cob, and Raspberry Custard Cups. Every dish is accessible and appealing, with how to tips, and the reasons why it's beloved. Another wonderful volume from these authors who capture the spirit of passionate home cooks everywhere, and allow readers to share their knowledge and become part of this very special, living collaboration.