Cooking from Scratch

Starred review from July 2, 2018
Founded by 15 Seattle families in 1953, the Puget Customers Co-op, known as PCC, has been at the forefront of the local and organic movement for some time, and the group’s history and experience shine in this excellent collection of recipes designed to make the most of fresh local ingredients. Though some dishes will resonate strongest with Seattle locals, such as the Dutch Baby, a baked pancake with crispy edges and a puffy center that was invented in that city, there are plenty of creative riffs like carrot cake waffles, butternut squash apple soup, and roasted brussels sprouts in a tangy Caesar dressing. The book has a fair share of common dishes (scones, lentil soup, walnut-beet salad, etc.), but most recipes are delicious diversions: roasted cherry, chorizo, and orzo salad; pomegranate molasses grilled chicken; cornmeal, parmesan, and thyme crackers; and a kimchi Bloody Mary. Devotees of co-ops and farmers markets will appreciate the superb assortment of flavorful options as well as their relative simplicity in terms of sourcing and preparation. This is a truly delightful cookbook that focuses on whatever seasonal produce one might have on hand.

Starred review from October 1, 2018

This volume from PCC Community Markets, Seattle's pioneering co-op grocery chain, sets itself apart with its clarity, range, and beautiful presentation. The recipes, covering everything from breakfast to cocktails, are straightforward and appropriately detailed. It's clear that PCC's chefs have written these recipes with home cooks in mind: they produce hearty dishes combining interesting flavors. The chapter on salads is a standout, with unusual variations on familiar themes, such as orzo salad with roasted cherries, arugula, and chorizo. Headnotes and sidebars are illuminating and often funny: of rhubarb (a recurring item) the authors say, "When vegetables are this determined to be odd, all we can do is enjoy them in their weirdness." Inserted occasionally throughout are "Flavor in Five" guides to various cooking basics, including vinaigrettes, marinades, chowders, stir-fries, and crisps. VERDICT This diverse collection of easy-to-follow and flavorful recipes is a delicious, memorable addition to any home kitchen.--Christopher Myers, Lake Oswego P.L., OR

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