Short Order Dad

May 2, 2016
This debut cookbook from Rosenthal, an ad executive, comedian, and food writer, contains tips that virtually all novice cooks (of any gender) can put to use. After boldly calling out men on their fears of cookingâthey might worry about being seen as incompetent, failing, or having to make a commitmentâRosenthal gets down to brass tacks, offering advice on building a pantry, selecting the right ingredients and cookware, and learning a handful of techniques before continuing to his recipes. He begins with the painfully simple avocado toastâwhich, like others of his dishes, can barely be called a recipe. Breakfast pizza (flour tortilla, tomato sauce, and cheese) and pigs in blankets set the bar low, making much more complicated recipes such as the crispy lacquered chicken and ancho chili shrimp feel like anomalies. Though the book is fine for readers who have been hesitant to enter the kitchen, let alone prepare a meal, those with even a modicum of confidence will likely find it too elementary. There are many better ways for beginners to learn cooking techniques and recipes than this scattered effort.