Mark Bittman's Kitchen Matrix - (Hardcover)

About the Book

Selected essays and photographs were previously published in The New York Times Magazine column "Eat" between 2011 and 2015.

Book Synopsis

Bestselling author Mark Bittman anthologizes his popular Matrix series in a boldly graphic new cookbook featuring 400 recipes that emphasize creativity, improvisation, and simplicity as the keys to varied cooking.

For years, Mark Bittman has shared his formulas, recipes, and kitchen improvisations in his popular New York Times Eat column, in which an ingredient or essential technique is presented in different variations in a bold matrix. Accompanied by striking photographs and brief, straightforward instructions, these thematic matrices show how simple changes in preparation and ingredient swaps in a master recipe can yield dishes that are each completely different from the original, and equally delicious.

In Mark Bittman's Kitchen Matrix, Mark's matrices come together to create a collection of over 400 flexible recipes covering vegetables, fruits, meats and chicken, and even desserts. Whether you're cooking up soup (creamy, brothy, earthy, or hearty), freezing ice pops (in fruity, savory, creamy, or boozy varieties), or preparing asparagus (steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or grilled), following Mark's approach to culinary improvisation will deliver stand-out results.

Review Quotes

"From the man who tried to teach you How to Cook Everything comes this, a book on how to improvise in the kitchen. Kitchen Matrix is a somewhat genius concept: take an ingredient or dish (tomatoes), offer a few base recipes (salad, soup, stuffed, sauce), and some basic variations on those recipes (a BLT salad, or a tomato eggplant caponata sauce). The goal is to get people comfortable going off book with their own cooking, and it's presented in a fun and engaging way. If you like the variations in the How to Cook Everything books--and there are people who think those variations are the best part--here's an entire book of them." --Epicurious

"Mark Bittman is the master of uncomplicated cooking, and fans will no doubt be familiar with the concept behind his latest cookbook: Learn a handful of basic recipes and with a little creativity, you can prepare a lifetime of satisfying meals." --Tasting Table

"Bittman continues his winning approach to simplifying recipes for the average home cook in this terrific collection of more than 400 customizable recipes...Readers tired of the same old, same old will find this book to be a godsend, and cooks in search of new ideas are sure to find a few new culinary avenues to explore. " --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"Beautifully photographed and designed...[Mark Bittman's Kitchen Matrix] embraces a bold, fresh way to share recipes." --Associated Press

"[Mark Bittman's Kitchen Matrix] is an immersive visual guide of his trademark dishes: basic recipes paired with inventive variations. The striking images remind us that prepping herbs and veggies is rewarding for the eyes - and the nose, too. The resulting meals are vivid and delicious." --House Beautiful

About the Author

Mark Bittman has had a uniquely successful career in cookbooks and food journalism. He's written more than a dozen books, including the now-classic How to Cook Everything and the bestselling VB6 (Vegan Before 6), which defined a new style of American eating. His 13-year New York Times column "The Minimalist" was among the most popular in the paper, and he just completed a five-year run on the OpEd pages of the Times, where he was the first (and most influential) weekly columnist tackling food issues for a major media outlet.