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Hometown boy turned superstar, Michael Symon is one of the hottest food personalities in America. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, he is counted among the nation’s greatest chefs, having joined the ranks of Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, and Masaharu Morimoto as one of America’s Iron Chefs. At his core, though, he’s a midwestern guy with family roots in old-world traditions. In Michael Symon’s Live to Cook, Michael tells the amazing story of his whirlwind rise to fame by sharing the food and incredible recipes that have marked his route.
Michael is known for his easy, fresh food. He means it when he says that if a dish requires more than two pans to finish, he’s not going to make it. Cooking what he calls “heritage” food–based on the recipes beloved by his Greek—Italian—Eastern European—American parents and the community in Cleveland–Michael draws on the flavors of traditional recipes to create sophisticated dishes, such as his Beef Cheek Pierogies with Wild Mushrooms and Horseradish, which came out of the pierogies that his grandpa made. Michael translates the influences of the diverse working-class neighborhood in which he grew up into dishes with Mediterranean ingredients, such as those in Olive Oil Poached Halibut with Fennel, Rosemary, and Garlic; Italian-style handmade pastas, like Linguini with Heirloom Tomato, Capers, Anchovies, and Chilies; and re-imagined Cleveland favorites, such as Mac and Cheese with Roasted Chicken, Goat Cheese, and Rosemary.
Part of Michael’s irresistible allure on the Food Network comes from how much fun he has in the kitchen. To help readers gain confidence and have a good time, Michael Symon’s Live to Cook has advice for cooking like a pro, starting with basic instructions for how to correctly use techniques such as braising, poaching, and pickling. There’s also information on how caramelizing vegetables and toasting spices can give dishes a greater depth of flavor–instead of a heavy, time-consuming stock-based sauce–and why the perfect finishing touch to most meat or fish dishes can be a savory hot vinaigrette instead.
With fantastic four-color photography throughout and tons of helpful “Symon Says” tips, Michael Symon’s Live to Cook is bound to get anyone fired up about getting into the kitchen and cooking up something downright delicious.
Roasted Dates with Pancetta, Almonds, and Chile
These are incredibly simple—sliced almonds and red pepper flakes are added to sautéing pancetta and then spooned over roasted dates—but so addictive. The beauty of this preparation is the intensity and concentration of all the flavors: the sweetness of the dates, but also the savory saltiness of the pancetta, nuttiness of the almonds, and spicy heat of the chile. It's the perfect balance of the taste elements I love. Your mouth will just pop with these flavors.
At Players restaurant, my first restaurant after culinary school, chef-owner Mark Shary used to stuff a date with an almond, wrap it in bacon, and roast it. These morsels were served on toothpicks. This is my interpretation, turning a little snack or hors d'oeuvre into a bona fide starter. Leftover dates can be puréed and used as a spread on croutons or served as a condiment with a cheese course.
Serves 4 to 6
2 cups pitted dates
3 ounces pancetta, finely diced 1/2 cup
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup Chicken Stock
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Put the dates on a small rimmed baking sheet and roast in the oven until heated through, about 5 minutes. Turn off the oven but leave the dates in there while you cook the pancetta.
In a medium sauté pan over medium heat, cook the pancetta until it is three-quarters crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the almonds and continue cooking until they brown, a few minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so. Add the red pepper flakes and stock and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the butter, stirring continuously until the butter is melted. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley.
Add the dates to the pan and swirl and toss them in the sauce. Divide the cooked dates among four to six plates and spoon the sauce over them.
Anonymous
Posted December 19, 2009
I've made several recipes from this book. The directions were clear and the results, delicious. What is truly exciting about the recipes is that many of them are for food served in Michael's restaurants. It is very generous for such a talented chef to want to share these outstanding recipes and take the time to scale them down for the home cook. It isn't often one gets the chance to try to cook such dishes at home. The stories included are informative and fun. Can't wait to try everything.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 15, 2010
Very informative, very down to earth and step by step, if you need that. Has some very good views, and even includes a resource section in case you can't find something in your area. Symon Says are very neat, also tells you if something can be refrigerated for later for plan ahead meals, and if it freezes well. Very good cookbook for all levels of cooking.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 12, 2010
If you want fancy, upscale, "check-your-denim and leather at the door" cooking, don't buy this book. If you want the heart and soul of what Mike Symon has brought to the Cleveland restaurant scene, and now the world scene, buy this book.
It is a no-bones, in your pork face book about foods based on what Symon has learned growing up in a blue-collar, heartland city. The recipes are for the most part, well written. I did have to go back over and re-read a couple lines here and there to make sure what I was reading, but went on from there successfully. This is a book you will keep close by as he delivers his style to your doorstep and to your kitchen. I would have liked to have seen a few more photgraphs, but what is the are very well done. The recipes are outstanding, and as a home-chef I did tinker, as chefs will do, but the tinkering was just to suit my tastes and did not take away from the original as written, but rather, enhanced what flavors we were looking for.
This is in my Top 5 of cookbooks, and moving up slowly as I try more and more things. A must-have, a must-buy.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 25, 2013
This is a wonderful addition to your cookbook collection. His recipes are easy to follow and you learn something about the Chef.
Each recipe comes with a background of the recipe and the easy to read instructions make this a great book for everyone.
Anonymous
Posted November 20, 2012
Very rare to medium-rare, Chef Symon (I don't do well-done1). Only good things to say about your "Live To Cook".
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Posted April 1, 2012
I from Cleveland too, and I think it is awesome that there is an Iron Chef from my hometown. Go Cleveland!!! If you have never been to Clveland I suggest that you come sometime soon. It is a great place to live. I enjoy watching Michael Symon on TV. I have never read this book, but, being a Symon mega fan, am sure that it rocks as much as Cleveland.
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Posted January 23, 2010
I bought the signed books for gifts.
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Overview
Hometown boy turned superstar, Michael Symon is one of the hottest food personalities in America. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, he is counted among the nation’s greatest chefs, having joined the ranks of Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, and Masaharu Morimoto as one of America’s Iron Chefs. At his core, though, he’s a midwestern guy with family roots in old-world traditions. In Michael Symon’s Live to Cook, Michael tells the amazing story of his whirlwind rise to fame by sharing the ...