Cooking in Real Life - by Lidey Heuck (Hardcover)

About the Book

From the rising star who learned to cook when she worked for Ina Garten and inherited the Barefoot Contessa's intuition for what people want to cook comes a collection of 100 recipes that are cook-pleasing and crowd-pleasing and written with the shopper, chopper and dish-doer in mind.

Book Synopsis

From the rising star who trained with Ina Garten, Cooking in Real Life offers easy, crowd-pleasing dishes perfect for busy moms. The ideal Mother's Day gift for those who love simple, delicious meals without the hassle.

Lidey Heuck landed the most plum after-college job--working for Ina Garten in her East Hampton kitchen. There, she learned how to develop recipes that work every time and how to put together dishes that are at once special and unfussy.

Cooking in Real Life represents the golden middle ground that new and experienced home cooks crave: recipes that are inventive but not overly complicated, that use familiar ingredients but encourage us to do things a little bit differently. They are designed to be low-effort, practical, and high-reward. Lidey combines straight-forward delicious cooking with innovative, vegetable-forward recipes, inspired by bold flavors from near and far. Chapters and recipes include the following:

Busy, fuss-free weeknights: Salmon with Honey and Chili Crunch, Cider-Glazed Sausages with Apples and Fennel, Saucy Shrimp alla Vodka. Plus, dozens of ideas for turning single recipes into one complete meal (Think: adding some sauteed shrimp to Shaved Carrot Salad with Ginger Tahini Dressing).

Flexible, seasonally-inspired recipes with easy-to-find ingredients: Maple-Roasted Squash with Grapes and Shallots, Escarole with Cara Cara Oranges, Spicy Paloma Punch.

Celebratory dishes for occasions that call for something extra special: Short Ribs with Port, Shallots, and Cranberries; Champagne Chicken; and Rainbow Sprinkle Ice Cream Cake.

Throughout, Lidey includes swaps, make-ahead hacks, and tips for making leftovers into something new. Cooking in Real Life meets you where you are--whether you're here for the practical tips or the endless possibilities.

Review Quotes

"[Lidey Heuck's] straightforward instructions, suggested menus, and easy add-ons make elevating a weeknight meal seem not only doable but also appealing." -- Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

"Every once in a while, a cookbook comes along that does it all, from simple to sophisticated, weeknight to showstopper, and, with tons of kitchen inspiration too, this is that cookbook." - Booklist, Starred review

"The kind of recipes that will instantly become classics in your kitchen -- they're delicious yet approachable, familiar but with a twist, comforting but celebration-worthy."-- "Food & Wine"

"This will be a new favorite for busy home cooks looking to enhance their weeknight repertoire." - Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"The recipes in Cooking in Real Life are innovative and imaginative, but they still manage to be straightforward and low-effort--always keeping the cook in mind." -- "Parade"

"As a longtime super fan of Lidey's recipes I am so excited to add Cooking In Real Life to my cookbook collection. These dishes strike the ideal balance between maximum flavor and approachability, or as Lidey puts it, they are 'deliciously doable.' I know this book is going to be covered with the kinds of stains and splatters that are the signs of a well-loved cookbook."--Molly Yeh, Author of Home is Where the Eggs Are

"Lidey spent her childhood similar to me: Sunday dinners with her entire family, carefully observing her grandparents create delicious feasts with ease, and with plenty of love and laughter. I think this sets up one for a lifetime of joyful learning, cooking, and entertaining in the kitchen and beyond. Lucky for us, Lidey shares everything she knows in her gorgeous cookbook. This book is so comfortable, so lived in, and so confidently laid back that it can ONLY be described as Cooking In Real Life."--Dan Pelosi, Author of Let's Eat

"Lidey is straight-up spoiling us with this book. Smart and unfussy, Cooking In Real Life is loaded with everyday recipes that are deliciously repeat-worthy, filled with clever, heartfelt twists, and everything I want to eat at all the time."--Erin French, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Lost Kitchen and Finding Freedom

"Lidey's cookbook is an absolute treasure! She gives us fantastic spins on classic dishes and also whips up deliciously unexpected recipes (I'm looking at you, spaghetti with sweet corn pesto). Her knack for anticipating questions and providing answers before they even arise makes the book especially practical for everyday cooks. I can't wait to dog-ear and cook from this book!"--Jennifer Segal, Author of Once Upon a Chef

About the Author

Lidey Heuck contributes to The New York Times Cooking. Days after graduating from college, she went to work for Ina Garten, where she managed the Barefoot Contessa's social media and tested recipes. Lidey has appeared in episodes of Barefoot Contessa and on Magnolia Network's The Lost Kitchen with Erin French, for whom she interned in Maine. Lidey has been featured in Food & Wine, Food Network Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Food52, Delish, and The Kitchn. She recently moved from Brooklyn to the Hudson Valley, where she lives with her husband.