Live to Cook: Symplicity, Syncerity and Michael Symon’s Sygnature Style

December 2009
Live to Cook: Symplicity, Syncerity and Michael Symon’s Sygnature Style
By Jane Staley Boaz

Michael Symon’s confident yet unpretentious "sygnature" style, his appreciation for premium ingredients "symply" prepared, and his "syncere" and fervent devotion to family and community comprise the magical mire-poix that is the savory backbone of this truly one-of-a-kind book.

Michael Symon’s first cookbook project, Live to Cook, Recipes and Techniques to Rock Your Kitchen, is to cooks what Strunk & White’s Elements of Style is to writers. It has been said of Elements, “it gives in brief space the principal requirements of plain English style and concentrates attention on the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated.”  Likewise, Live to Cook is a kitchen field-guide cooks will consult again and again to re-familiarize themselves with principles of proper techniques and to correct common culinary misconceptions.

Symon actually surpasses Strunk & White because he delivers three books in one- in less than 250 pages. The first is an extensive and varied collection of imaginative Chef Symon recipes. In the second, expert cooking instructor Symon reveals innumerable nuanced cooking techniques that finesse commendable dishes into splendid dishes. And in the third, Michael Symon the man describes his journey from blue collar Cleveland kid to culinary super-star in his genuine, unpretentious manner.

Live to Cook is brimming with a wide-range of Symon style recipes. Symon generously recognizes those who have contributed to his cooking knowledge and those who have introduced him to new ingredients, cooking methods and customs. Anyone who has seen Symon on television will recognize his voice as he is shares stories about friends, family and food. They will see his super-sized grin and hear his high-pitched, spasmodic laughter when he recounts memories of times with loved ones and mentors in the kitchen.   

Symon emphatically explains that dishes with a balance of high notes and bass notes deliver unexpected, powerful flavor punches. He adds a sunny splash of flavor to his dishes that accentuates both ends of the flavor spectrum. He scorns rich sauces on rich meats and opts instead to pair a hardy pork roast with grilled peaches and a honey vinaigrette. His deeply browned, braised short ribs are finished with pickled green tomatoes. Symon reports that his “Lola Bacon” takes on “a bit of spice from dried chili; savory notes from paprika and cumin; and sweetness from brown sugar and honey.” So significant are the treble notes in Symon’s repertoire, he dedicates an entire chapter to pickling. “Acid may be second in importance only to salt as a seasoning device,” he advises.

Michael Symon’s readers will find innovative recipes with clear instructions and easily obtainable ingredients. But more importantly, Symon reveals deep knowledge of cooking techniques by definitively and confidently explaining key points related to ingredients, storage, prep and more in “Symon Says” annotations. He is a committed educator who includes pages of concise yet thorough lessons on cooking processes including the “whys and wherefores” so that his readers will be able to apply the technique to all cooking endeavors, not just the recipes in Live to Cook.

Live to Cook is more than a catchy title. Interspersed among recipes and expert advice is the life story of Michael Symon. He openly and warmly credits dedicated grandparents, hard-working, supportive parents, and kitchen mentors for his decision to vigorously pursue and perfect his craft. He also expresses his admiration for chef and restaurateur contemporaries who have been especially influential. It is clear that Michael Symon truly lives to cook.

Live to Cook is a book for those who wish to create a meal that will wow family and friends. It is a text on techniques and principles for serious home cooks. It is a memoir that chronicles the life of a young man who used intellect, talent, hard work and love for his profession to reach the stars. In short, Live to Cook is a book anyone with an interest in cooks or cooking will treasure. 

To Buy Live To Cook online, click here