The Chopped Cookbook: Use What You've Got to Cook Something Great

So I just received this cookbook yesterday in the mail, and since then I've spent about 4 hours with it. I was looking for a cookbook with varied recipes from different cultures to get into some new and different flavors and put a few more tricks in my bag. This did the trick. It's exactly what I was looking for. The recipes are divided by main component rather than app entre and dessert like I would have thought, but that's ok. There are recipes in here from so many different cultures that are kind of strange and different, but not enough so that I wouldn't try them. Usually with a new cookbook I find maybe a dozen or so recipes that stand out to me. This book I've found maybe half a dozen that I wouldn't try.What is particularly awesome about this cookbook is that it's not just a collection of recipes. It's a foundation to build on and a whole different approach in the kitchen, even for someone like me who has a tendency to use recipes as guidelines. Some of the recipes have tips at the end to switch up the recipe. The beginning divides up ingredients into categories like acidic and salty so that you can swap one out for another in that category if you wish. There are some that give multiple versions of the same recipe or different uses for the same basket ingredients. And their sauce and dressings charts are amazing! It gives you the basic foundation of what categories of ingredients to mix together then turn the page and there's a veritable Mecca of recipes for just about everything you can think of.Needless to say, I have not actually cooked anything from this book but I cannot wait to get started. It's impossible to choose which one I even want to try first!! I was blown away by this cookbook and I'm not someone who buys a lot of cookbooks. I'm also not one to review products. Ever. So the fact that I absolutely had to review this book less than 24 hours of owning it without even trying recipes should say something to you. If you're looking for fun different twists on traditional recipes (like spinach and artichoke dip Mac and cheese and pizza bread pudding) with some new flavors and new techniques, then by all means. You won't regret it!!

I borrowed this book from the library and loved the flavorful recipes. I was delighted to find this cookbook used for my personal library in such excellent condition!

I bought this as a gift for my best friend who is a huge fan of the Chopped show. I was actually worried she might already have it but she didn’t, and she loves it! The day after I gave it to her she already made plans to make quite a few of the recipes lol

For a page by page review of this book check my video review: http://youtu.be/oY2lEaEroGUThis is a colorful insightful addition to the awesome show on Food network. Its like turning the pages of an episode with illustrated ideas for all occasions and tastes alike. This book included a semi-chopped layout - I'm not sure how the randomness of the ingredients are selected for the show or this book but it covers a lot of dishes minus Sanchez's criticism ;-) If you watch the show, like to cook and\or want a great holiday gift idea this is the one for you. It has some Q\A for the judges and Ted with questions like favorite ingredients or guilty pleasure ingredients and why.The layout and flow of the book is easy to use and makes reading fun. It has many useful tips and helpful hints on new and old dishes. It sparks interest in cooking some just to see how they turn out.For a page by page review of this book check my video review: http://youtu.be/oY2lEaEroGU

I bought this cookbook for my boyfriend. We love Chopped! And I do agree, the recipes AREN'T ones that were made with crazy ingredients on the show. BUT at the same time...how many spare Ostrich eggs do you guys have just laying around, waiting to be prepared? Yeah, exactly.I love these recipes...they remind me of Chopped in that there is some random ingredients I wouldn't have thought to pair with other things. And the sauces pages are great! I feel like in most cookbooks you only want to use a handful of the recipes (or maybe you want to make more but you just...don't) but I have a feeling we'll be making as many of these recipes as we can.I guess, if you're expecting exact recipes from the show this isn't the cookbook for you but if you're like my boyfriend and me where we want some reasonably delicious meals with a little twist this cookbook is great :)

This book has a lot of helpful tips like how to pick out the best vegetables and tips from the Chopped chefs to help spark some cooking ideas. The recipes are easy to follow and many of them provide alternative recipes to adapt to what you have in the kitchen (for ex: how to swap potatoes with pasta in the same dish). The reason it is not 5 stars is because a significant amount of the recipes have ingredients that I have never had in my kitchen, so I would have to grocery shop for more of the recipes than I expected. But the ingredients and recipes are simple enough to make without a hassle so it's good to spark creativity in the kitchen for day-to-day cooking.

I am a chopped fan and thought this would be an interesting addition to my cookbook collection. I would have preferred a spiral back. So it would stay open as you're using it.... thus the 4 stars instead of 5. Other than that, it has some very interesting, doable recipes. The pictures are lovely, however, not on every recipe, just FYI. Some are little more involved than I will probably get, but it does have some recipes with some out of the usual ingredients that would be challenging to try. Over all, it's a great cook book!

If you love the show you will love the book

I love to cook, and always appreciate the methodology, science, and practical tips as well as playing with the right flavour blends. I am seriously into cookbooks as recreational reading, as well as sources of new recipes (as is the internet, of course). I have to say I love this book! The. recipes are simple but mostly a little adventurous with flavours, and their advice on pantry staples, methods and formulae are very good. It would appeal to both experienced and new cooks. For example, fond as I am of salads, I liked some of these recipes (new to me) and loved the two pages of vinaigrette/dressing advice. The chart even suggest which lettuces or greens are likely to suit a particular vinaigrette or dressing best. Several I knew but several I didn't and I've liked all I tried.

The cookbook arrived within a few days of my ordering it.The book is laid out in a very methodical way; veggies, meats, desserts. I love the way it gives many alternatives to working with one recipe or one ingredient. I tend to "tweek" recipes when I make them, and this encourages that and allows for your own personal touches and tastes.Most of the ingredients are everyday things that you would have in your pantry/fridge or something quick to pick up at the market.Many of my cookbooks have a few great recipes but sit on the shelf most of the time. This book teaches me some great techniques and choices that I would not normally think of. It sits on the counter so I can leaf through it every day. It's a great recipe source and I love it.

Love the book

A horrible representation of the show. They obviously only wanted to make a buck with irrelevant recipes to the shows premise.