2024 the best mac and cheese recipe in the world review

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(as of Dec 02, 2024 20:17:10 UTC - Details)

Step into the kitchen with beloved chef and 2016 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef Southeast, Kevin Gillespie, whose deep commitment, passion, and skill shine throughout this approachable cookbook. This is truly a book to be cooked from again and again.

"Cooking is figuring out the great qualities of any food and making those qualities shine." That's the inspiring message of Fire in My Belly by Top Chef fan favorite Kevin Gillespie. Fire In My Belly celebrates good ingredients with more than 120 hip, accessible recipes presented in a cutting-edge design. This book taps into our national obsession with knowing where our food comes from. Kevin’s southern charm, passion, and funny stories guide readers through one-of-a-kind chapters, like "Foods You Thought You Hated," "When I Want to Eat Healthy," "My Version of Southern Food," "World Classics Revisited," and "Junk Food." Fire in My Belly shows cooks what to do with fresh farmers' market foods while providing a backstage pass to the life of a rising culinary star.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Andrews McMeel Publishing; First Edition (October 16, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 356 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1449411436
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1449411435
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.2 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.1 x 1.3 x 10.5 inches
Reviewer: Dylan F.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Absolute Genius
Review: If you liked Kevin on Top Chef as much as I did, you should 1--% get this book, non prime it was only $14 shipped and worth way more. He has tons of personal stories that are very entertaining. I haven't made any recipes but his brilliance shows through in very different ways than other cookbooks. I hate making roux for mac and cheese, but it was the best way I knew how. He had the same problem and figured out that adding velveeta instead of roux could do exactly what you wanted - nothing short of brilliant. Same for his fix of baked wings - usually they are soggy and gross, so he pan fries the skin, then puts them in the oven. I think he deserves a nobel or something for these very simple yet brilliant insights, not even kidding. I can't wait to try these things out. There are lots of non-junk-food recipes in case you're worried. If you're not the biggest Kevin fan, I'd give it 4 stars for being fun and having some nice stuff, but this is much better if you already know who he is and what he's about.

Reviewer: Southern Traveler
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Bacon is my Jam!
Review: "Bacon Is My Jam"! This has become my cooking mantra since I first heard Kevin utter that phrase on Top Chef (Man, I wanted you to win that contest). This mantra was certainly reinforced seeing the look on Daniel Boulud's face when he tasted that bacon jam - a look of revelation. This book is Kevin and it too is a revelation of him and his cooking. I can just hear his voice with every turn of the page (one frequently used word I wish you'd left out). Good, fresh, local, seasonal ingredients are his instruction to you. There are plenty of recipes and photos so you can cook Kevin's food. Nothing wrong with that! However, you can't shake the encouragements that Kevin wants you to stretch out and begin to cook your food. I loved watching Kevin cook on Top Chef. The stories in this book gave me insight into the how and why he cooks as he does. This book is clever, sharp, and informative. I cannot recommend it more highly. The table of contents is very creative and just sets the tone for a delightful experience. Well done Kevin! Recipe for Bacon Jam is on page 309. I am a happy man!

Reviewer: LoGIC
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Can't put it down.
Review: First off. Let me start by saying I'm a Jersey Boy, a cook and a foodie. I grew up eating Italian, Asian and Latin food, but recently moved to GA and have started liking southern food. Reading Kevin's book is like having a conversation with a fellow foodie or food lover. He makes it very easy to relate to with his anecdotes and stories of how a dish or ingredient got into a particular recipe. I have many cookbooks and sometimes I wonder where to get certain ingredients or would like to know what particular brand the author favors, Kevin does exactly that. He describes the products he uses and where to get them if you want too. For example, he gives you the low down on Chickens and their ambiguous labels at the grocery store and even tells you where he buys good quality chicken. Kevin also gives you expert advice on cooking techniques and procedures. I've cooked 4 of his recipes and they were delicious. I've also visited his restaurant in Atlanta and enjoyed it so much I booked my next reservation right after dinner. This book is definitely not going to collect dust in my bookshelf. It's a must have for anyone who love to use seasonal ingredients and cook authentic southern food.

Reviewer: James Ellsworth
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Buy This Book For Today's Southeastern Us Cooking
Review: Kevin Gillespie delivers 'down home' Southern cooking at a high level. He continues the saga in 'Pure Pork Awesomeness.' I own both books. My idea is to buy the 'best' cookbooks I come across; read them and donate the discards (if they have some merit) to my public library for shelving or for resale. I can't let either of Kevin's books go. He and his 'transcriber' present an infectious voice on every page. The recipes are always interesting. His signature 'Bacon Jam' is presented in both books. I would want to consider cooking many of these items, from whatever of his books. This is 'hot stuff' for fans of South Eastern American cuisine.That said, I would buy 'Hoppin John' (Martin) Taylor's books first. I am of a time when old friends should not be forgotten. Kevin is the future but he would be among the last to disregard his roots.

Reviewer: OLLOM
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book - read it like a novel
Review: Fire in my Belly is a terrific cookbook. But more than that, it is a glimpse into the life of Chef Kevin. I recommend reading it like a novel before you try any of the recipes. Kevin/David really did a great job of bringing Kevin's history to life in the book. I find the stories as much or more inspiring as the recipes. I've tried many of the recipes in the book. Some favorites are the Coca-Cola pot roast, the imitation chick-fil-a sandwich, the fennel/orange salad and the salmon croquettes. I've eaten at both Woodfire Grill (when Kevin was there) and Gunshow. I love how Kevin's recipes help you make restaurant quality meals at home. This book is a fantastic, real-life translation of how to cook restaurant quality dishes at home. Kevin - write another one!!! You can't go wrong buying this book, whether you love to cook or just enjoy Kevin's personality. A must-have for home cooks and people who believe making great food for the family equals love. Kevin, bring us volume 2!!!

Reviewer: G.T.O.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A gift
Review: As described

Reviewer: Matthew
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Underwhelmed
Review: I was really excited to get this book, but I've been very underwhelmed by it. None of the recipes I just go "I must make this!". I want to want to make the things in here, but there's nothing that just truly excites me. I've had this about a year, and I've only made maybe 2 things, and they weren't recipes I'd try again. I know Kevin is an awesome chef, and I think in this book they were tried making some recipes that more people could do, but still have some of Kevin's artistic flare. I feel like the result was a bunch of mediocre recipes which are on the more complicated side. Perhaps there are some really good ones in here I've overlooked. I'd love to know. IMO it's not a home run though

Reviewer: LInze
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Regard this book as a gem. He charismatically develops his rapport with the reader that one feels that he is actually teaching an individual rather than lecturing the reader.

Reviewer: Michelle Spoor
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I bought this book for my husbands birthday after seeing it come up on my recommendations list. My husband had became a fan of Kevin while watching Top Chef a couple years back and now seeing his book was out was a no brainer. My husband received the book and loved it. The pictures are surprisingly beautiful and the way Kevin spins tales of how he learned to cook and love certain foods makes it read as good as the recipes taste. I would most definitely buy this book again.

Reviewer: Gilles Aerni
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Great book ! Love the design and the recipes

Reviewer: C. King
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This is an awesome cookbook! Fantastic recipes and terrific stories and explanations to go along with them. He is so talented and we can't wait to dive in and get cooking. Also, super service, shipping fee and delivery timeline!