The Piglet

Piglet Community Picks

By • November 27, 2012 • 111 Comments

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The Piglet Cookbook Tournament is fast approaching, and this year, we're shaking things up a bit. Inspired both by suggestions from the Food52 community and by the amazing lot of cookbooks out this year, we will be featuring a Community Pick on each day of the Piglet. And since you're the community, we'll need your help in reviewing some of this year's most-loved cookbooks.

Want to get involved? Call dibs on your favorite in the comment section below (up to 5 testers per book, please), and the rest is simple: order your book, test out a few recipes, maybe cook a meal or two, and send us your reviews by January 30th. Reviews should be under 500 words and explain what you liked about the book, why the recipes worked (or didn't), and what sets the cookbook apart from others. Most importantly, make it a great read. Just like we do for our contests, we'll pick the best community review for each book and feature it on the site. Now get cooking -- and be sure to tell us all about it! 

Modernist Cuisine at Home by Nathan Myhrvold & Maxime Bilet

MCAH

Joy the Baker Cookbook:100 Simple and Comforting Recipes by Joy Wilson

Joy Baker

Cook Fight: 2 Cooks, 12 Challenges, 125 Recipes, an Epic Battle for Kitchen Dominance by Julia Moskin & Kim Severson  

Cook Fight

Afield: A Chef's Guide to Preparing and Cooking Wild Game and Fish by Jesse Griffiths

Afield

Flour Water Salt Yeast: The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza by Ken Forkish

Flour Water Salt Yeast

The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee: Growing, Roasting, and Drinking, with Recipes by James Freeman, Caitlin Freeman & Tara Duggan

Blue Bottle

Faviken by Magnus Nilsson

The Art of Cooking Vegetables by Alain Passard 

vegetables

Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America by Maricel E. Presilla

Cran Cocina Latina

Ripe by Nigel Slater

Ripe

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Tags: piglet, community picks, cookbooks

Comments (111)

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4 months ago JadeTree

I sent mine in Tuesday night - did the attachment work?

Me

4 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

I see it, yes.

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4 months ago Joanna Scutts

Me too - I hope you got it!

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4 months ago Miss_Mary

Hi! I emailed my review to editors@food52.com, was the right thing to do?

Me

4 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Yes!

Me

4 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Hi everyone! Just a reminder that all Community Picks reviews are due by tomorrow, January 30th, in order to be considered. Can't wait to read them all!

Stringio

4 months ago CamillaMMann

Emailed my review on Sunday. Can't wait to read what everyone else wrote!

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4 months ago aargersi

Abbie is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Me too - Kenzi I sent from another email address and not sure I SIGNED it - I will send a follow-up email in a few to make sure you guys know that was me ...

Me

4 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Great, thank you both so much!

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Hi all, since some of you have still been asking, I'm reposting my comment from below: We're full! Thanks everyone, we can't wait to read the reviews!

But by all means, please test if you like -- your takes will be welcome in the comments when we start releasing the reviews.

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5 months ago Paula Rossano

Will test anything....love to test Joy the Baker

Stringio

5 months ago Rachel Schoening 1

Are there any still available to test? I'm not choosy-

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5 months ago Lynne Faubert

Hi, guys. Super idea to get everyone involved in the Piglet. Don't mean to strain the process, but could you publish a list of confirmed contributors? I asked for Gran Cocina Latina when there was room (I think!), just wanted to make sure it's a go before I turn my family into guinea pigs, lol.

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Someone asked this on the other thread, and this was my response: since this is operating just like Community Picks for a contest would, we're sticking with our guideline to keep reviewers private so that people will feel comfortable giving honest reviews. But yes, I have you down! Looking forward to the review.

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5 months ago Lynne Faubert

Cool, Kenzi, thx :)

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

We're full! Thanks everyone, we can't wait to read the reviews!

Stringio

5 months ago CamillaMMann

Kenzi, just wanted to make sure I'm reviewing Afield. When I asked if there was still room, you said 'yes'. But before I wrote that I'd take it, I saw your announcement that you're full. Please just let me know. Thanks!

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Yes, you're in. Sorry for the confusion!

Stringio

5 months ago CamillaMMann

Thanks! Very excited.

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5 months ago Joel MacCharles

I'd take on Faviken if I had some leeway to alter ingredients if necessary (access could be a problem)...

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

UPDATE: We have one slot left for Afield, otherwise, everything is full. Thanks to everyone for taking part!

Stringio

5 months ago CamillaMMann

IS there still room for a review of Afield?

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Yes!

Stringio

5 months ago CamillaMMann

I'll take it.

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Blue bottle is now full!

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

New rule of thumb for book-claiming: if I haven't told you otherwise, consider yourself in! So excited to see so much enthusiasm for this.

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5 months ago There'sAlwaysPie

I will test out the Blue Bottle Cookbook if there is still availability..

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

You're in!

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5 months ago patinad

too bad! I'd totally be down for M.C but the cost-yikes!

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Totally understand. Perhaps you have a library nearby with a super awesome food section?

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5 months ago patinad

oooh. They doooooooo. But it's OUT. dammit.

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

UPDATE: The only books with slots left are Faviken, Blue Bottle, Afield, and Modernist Cuisine. Happy testing!

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5 months ago hardlikearmour

hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.

Could you compile the 2 posts on Piglet Community Picks? Maybe also do an update showing the testers of each book? I just went through both posts and found the only books w/o the full allotment of testers are: Afield and Faviken. In addition several books have more than 5 dibs-callers: Flour Water Salt Yeast, Joy the Baker, Cook Fight, and Gran Cocina Latina.

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5 months ago cookbookchick

I agree! I signed up on the Update page, so I'm not sure whether I have an assignment. Thanks, HLA and Kenzi!

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5 months ago jenniebgood

yes - I signed up for Cook Fight but it must be on the other post.

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5 months ago jenniebgood

Agreed - I signed up for Cook Fight some time ago. Hope I'm down for that one.

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5 months ago patinad

I'd like to review Cook Fight if it's still available.

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Apologies, this is full! See the update at the top of this thread for the books still available.

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5 months ago patinad

I'll take COOK FIGHT if it's still available.

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5 months ago EAng

I'm down for The Art of Cooking with Vegetables if it's still available!

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5 months ago LucyLean

I'll take Forkish Flour Water Salt Yeast

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

So sorry -- this one is taken!

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5 months ago Johannah

I'm up for Blue Bottle if it's still open!

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5 months ago Lynne Faubert

I just bought it for myself as a Christmas present so, if it's possible, I'd love to review Gran Cucina Latina.

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5 months ago clumsycook

I'll take Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America

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5 months ago Kim Leddy

I'll go with Cook Fight!

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5 months ago nycmo

joy the baker please!

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

So sorry -- these are filling up fast! That one is no longer available.

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5 months ago Elea Wade Craig

I'd love to be part of Faviken if possible- I picked this up last month and fell head over heels in love with it!

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5 months ago brooklynsam

Count me in as another request for Flour Water Salt Yeast! If that's not available, I would like to try the Joy the Baker Cookbook.

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Flour Water Salt Yeast is full, so I have you down for Joy the Baker.

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5 months ago Catherine King

Hi Kenzi - I commented about an hour ago for Joy the Baker (below) but not sure if I'm in? Hope so!

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

I have you down, yes!

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5 months ago Catherine King

Awesome - thanks Kenzi!

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5 months ago brooklynsam

Thanks! So excited!

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5 months ago Catherine King

I'll take Joy the Baker if it's still open!

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5 months ago Faye Pantazopoulos

Could I have the art of cooking with vegetables please?

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Have you down!

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5 months ago JanaVee

May I please have Faviken?

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Yes!

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5 months ago boulangere

Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.

Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast, please, if it is still available.

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5 months ago Joanna Scutts

I'd love to review Ripe - I'm a longtime Nigel Slater devotee.

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5 months ago Miss_Mary

I would like to review Blue Bottle book... do you still need someone for that?

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

The more the merrier! Count yourself in.

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5 months ago singing_baker

I would love to do modernist cuisine at home! I don't think there are five testers yet.

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6 months ago mariaraynal

I'd like Cook Fight, please.

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6 months ago jenniebgood

I'll try my hand Cook Fight please!

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6 months ago ajbailey

I'll take Modernist Cuisine at Home, or the Blue Bottle book!

Me

5 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

MC it is! Let us know if this is otherwise.

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6 months ago AntoniaJames

AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.

I'll test "Flour Water Salt Yeast." My sons and I will be baking/cooking up a storm when they're back for the holidays, plus, I've been wanting for awhile to work with other kinds of starters, so the timing could not be more perfect. ;o)

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6 months ago FoodieFlirt

Carolyn Z: Yes, the Blue Bottle book has 90+pages of recipes. - a large portion of them are food recipes vs beverage recipes. HTH.

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6 months ago AntoniaJames

AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.

Carolyn Z, if you click through from the link above to the Amazon page, you can "Search Inside this Book" to see the entire table of contents. I've been a regular patron of the Blue Bottle Coffee flagship/roasting facility in the East Bay for quite awhile, where they sell many of the treats the recipes for which are in the book. So go for it! ;o)

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6 months ago Heather McCalla

I'd like to review Joy the Baker Cookbook, if there aren't 5 signed up! :)

Twittah

6 months ago documentngdinnr

I'd love to review the Joy the Baker Cookbook--I have made a few recipes from it already, and I'd love to get back into the food52 community!

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6 months ago MzEvaD

I'll take Modernist @ Home! I've been playing around with this stuff already, and I'd like to take it more seriously.

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6 months ago purses113

rgreg

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6 months ago House of Ruhls

I'll take Ripe!

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6 months ago sdebrango

Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.

I would love to test Modernist Cuisine, has been on my list to get and this is the perfect opportunity.

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6 months ago Brooke Greer

I'll take Afield! Just bought it, excited to see Jesse & Jody's art! Already adore them, being an Austinite; I want to try out the recipes we have at Dai Due Supper Clubs & at the Farmer's markets!!

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6 months ago Lois Baron

I'd like Cook Fight, if it hasn't gotten 5 reviewers on it already :-)

Me

6 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

It doesn't! You're good to go.

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6 months ago gheanna

Such an awesome idea! Thanks for putting this up.

Me

6 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

So thrilled to have you all be testing! If you've commented so far, we have you marked down for your book.

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6 months ago luvcookbooks

Meg is a trusted home cook.

Joy the Baker's book??

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6 months ago LLStone

Gosh, it's a hard choice between a couple of these, but please add me to the list to test Flour Water Salt Yeast. I'll fire up the wood burning oven and do my best to take good photos!

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6 months ago cookinginvictoria

I would love to test The Art of Cooking Vegetables, please! All of these titles sound wonderful.

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6 months ago cookinginvictoria

Oops -- meant to say The Art of Cooking WITH Vegetables!

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6 months ago wssmom

The Art of Cooking with Vegetables, please!!!!

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6 months ago aargersi

Abbie is a trusted source on General Cooking.

I am in for Afield! Dispatching the nephews and their guns right now ... and we already have dove and venison waiting ... here ducky ducky ducky!!!!!

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6 months ago LucyS

Aargersi, this comment makes me super jealous. You have nephews to do your game meat-fetching? Amazing.

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6 months ago aargersi

Abbie is a trusted source on General Cooking.

Hey LucyS - I do indeed! Well, they hunt, I mooch more like. Either way, I get a cut of the critters. Ha! Get it? A cut! OK that was bad ....

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6 months ago juliana

I'd love to review Ripe! I love Tender and Nigel Slater. I've been looking for an excuse to get the book too!

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6 months ago JadeTree

I'd like to review Ripe, please!

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6 months ago LucyS

I'd like to review Gran Cocina Latina please!! It looks like there are only 3 other testers so far....

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6 months ago AshleyLC

I'd love to review Cook Fight. Very interesting take on the usual cookbook format.

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6 months ago alygator

I would also love to review Flour Water Salt Yeast. It was actually on my Christmas wish list so you have given me a chance to treat myself!

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6 months ago alygator

I would also love to review Flour Water Salt Yeast, too. It is on my Christmas wish list already so you have given me the go ahead to buy myself a treat!

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6 months ago hardlikearmour

hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.

I'll take Flour Water Salt Yeast. I do love me some Ken's Artisan yummies!

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6 months ago cristinasciarra

Ripe! I am in love with this book anyway, so I'm happy to keep cooking/rave about it.

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6 months ago JadeTree

High five! An excuse to go further into the recipes ;)

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6 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Lovely! Thanks, all.

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6 months ago china millman

I'd love to test out Allain Passard's The Art of Cooking with Vegetables!

Chris_in_oslo

6 months ago Greenstuff

Chris is a trusted source on General Cooking

Wow! I can't imagine how a cook in Berkeley, California is going to pull off "local" ingredients from northern Sweden, but I'm in for Faviken.

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6 months ago fiveandspice

Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.

I would love to review Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee! I was looking for an excuse to order it.

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6 months ago FoodieFlirt

I'm also in for the Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee review.

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6 months ago Carolyn Z

Me too. Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee. Does it have many recipes? I tried to check on Amazon ...

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6 months ago FoodieFlirt

Carolyn Z: Yes, the a Blue Bottle book has 90+ pages of recipes. Most of them are food recipes vs. drink recipes. HTH.

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6 months ago Tarragon

I'd like to test Gran Cocina Latina. Thank you!

Me

6 months ago kenzi

Kenzi is an Assistant Editor of Food52.

Great! Can't wait to read your review.

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6 months ago drbabs

Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.

I would also like to test Gran Cocina Latina. Thanks!

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6 months ago MaryMaryCulinary

Me too! I am excitedly waiting for it. It's not often I order a cookbook sight unseen but I just couldn't resist this one.