Publisher Description

Spices are the fastest, easiest way to transform a dish from good to spectacular. In his new book, Lior Lev Sercarz, the country's most sought-after spice expert, shows you how to master flavor in 250 inspiring recipes, each counting on spices to elevate this collection of everyday and new favorites.NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEWSpices are the magic ingredient in Lior Lev Sercarz's newest book, Mastering Spice, and all it takes is a pinch to bring your meatballs, roast chicken, or brownies to the next level. Owner of New York City spice shop La Bo te, and a professionally trained chef who has cooked at some of the world's most renown restaurants, Lior's simple and straightforward approach showcases how spices and spice blends can take a recipe for chicken soup, meatballs, or brownies into a whole new and exciting direction. Every section begins with a master recipe and technique--then Lior teaches readers how to change the spices or some of the ingredients to get a profoundly different dish than what you began with. By mastering the techniques and playing with the variations, you'll learn how to use spices to become a more creative and intuitive cook, and how spices can endlessly heighten your eating experience.

Author Biography

LIOR LEV SERVARZ is the chef and owner of La Bo te, a destination spice atelier in New York City and the author of The Spice Companion. He worked for multiple Michelin-starred chefs before turning to his true passion- helping home cooks and master chefs embrace new flavors and discover the world of spice. His collections are sold online at laboiteny.com and in select stores. He lives in New York City with his wife and children.

Review

"Armed with just the ingredients in your pantry, you'll find the book transforms cooking into a delightful (and manageable) game of choose your own adventure."—Eater

"The Svengali of spice Lior Lev Sercarz is at it again! . . . The book showcases how the perfect spice blend can take straightforward recipes like chicken soup, meatballs, and brownies—yes, even brownies—from ordinary to sublime."—Vogue

"Lior Lev Sercarz, the self-proclaimed 'King of Spices,' is a standout when it comes to seasoning: His spice blends have graced the kitchens of famous chefs and at-home cooks alike."—CBS This Morning

"Having cooked at some of the world's very best restaurants, Lior will have you mixing and matching your seasonings with ease to a seriously flavorsome result."—Simon Said

Review Quote

"Armed with just the ingredients in your pantry, you'll find the book transforms cooking into a delightful (and manageable) game of choose your own adventure." -- Eater, "Best Cookbooks of Fall"

Excerpt from Book

INTRODUCTION My Story My goal for this cookbook is simple: I want to show you how easy it is to transform everyday dishes just by adding and changing spices. It''s how I cook at home, after cooking as a professional chef for two decades. I rotate straightforward techniques that I''ve perfected over the years and change the spices and other add-ins for completely new dishes. Rather than swap methods for roasting vegetables or simmering beans, I simply switch the seasonings. This is a great way to learn how to cook: mastering basic techniques makes it easy to master new seasonings. The dozens of techniques I''m going to teach you are ones that you can count on--always. They''re like master recipes; they offer the foundation and process for getting the juiciest roast chicken, the creamiest risotto. In some cases, only the spices vary. In others, supporting ingredients, such as the vegetables that roast under whole fish or the liquids for soup, are swapped, added, or omitted even as the technique stays the same. After more than twenty years as a professional chef and twelve years as the owner and master spice blender of La Bo

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