How I Cook: A Chef's Guide to Really Good Home Cooking

by Ben Lippett

Overview

'Recipes that teach as they go, full of lightbulb moments that build real confidence in the kitchen. This is how it's done!' – Yotam Ottolenghi

'A cookbook full of not just recipes but an insight into the mind of a chef – tricks and techniques that will make you a better cook.' – Anna Jones

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One of the most important things you can do whilst cooking is to ask why? Why am I adding salt now and not later? Why am I preheating my pan? Why has my chocolate mousse split? Why does this taste so good?!

In his debut book, Ben Lippett distils his years of experience as a professional chef in restaurants all over the world to reveal the hows and whys behind everything we do when preparing food. Through over 100 recipes you’ll learn skills and techniques that can be applied to any recipe, enabling you to chop, fold, sauté and whisk your way through this book and gain confidence and competence in the kitchen.

You’ll master the art of temperature control while perfecting the French Omelette, put together peerless pastas with Crab Tagliolini and Sunday Sauce, learn how to butterfly fish like a pro serving up Stuffed Bass with Fregola, ‘Nduja and Gordal Olives, and find out all you need to know about making wonderfully soft and supple enriched dough when treating yourself to Doughnuts ‘Myrtille’.

Guided by Ben’s expert hand, How I Cook is your new kitchen companion, unlocking really good home cooking, one recipe at a time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780008716004
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	09/02/2025
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishers
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	251 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Ben Lippett is a chef and food writer. He’s cooked in professional kitchens all over the world, worked with Mob and in food media, and is the author of the popular Substack 'How I Cook'.

Editorial Reviews

Ben's put it all on a plate – how ingredients behave, why they throw tantrums or play nice in the pan. Recipes that teach as they go, full of lightbulb moments that build real confidence in the kitchen. Plus photography so stunning it makes you want to lick the page. This is how it’s done! – Yotam Ottolenghi

A cookbook full of not just recipes but an insight into the mind of a chef – tricks and techniques that will make you a better cook. – Anna Jones

This is a smart, stylish and infectious cookbook that is quite literally packed with advice, inspiration and (crucially) a heap of mouthwatering ideas and recipes. It's not just the 'how', it's the 'why' as well – How I Cook will prove essential for all cooks, whether experienced or just starting out. A compelling and impressive debut. – Ed Smith

A deeply informative yet accessible exploration of cooking, filled with beautiful recipes. Ben’s thoughtful, practical approach makes even complex techniques feel achievable at any level. This book is perfect for anyone looking to become a better cook and understand how flavour works. – Ixta Belfrage

Useful and beautiful, full of heart and great recipes. Ben Lippett's 15 kitchen tenets are the kind of quiet wisdom that will transform how you cook and how you feel about cooking. A cooking bible for the times. – Helen Goh

If you really like to eat, you're going to really love this lively, exuberant feast of a book. – Mark Diacano

Ben’s food is completely delicious. It is just the kind of food you want to eat. I cannot wait to cook from this book. – Thomasina Miers

There is a reason Ben is one of the most loved chefs in the UK. It is because his food is real, delicious, achievable. It makes anyone, no matter your skill or culinary background, believe they can cook. This book is a must have for any experienced chef or budding new cook. – Ben Lebus, MOB

From the Publisher