The Piglet / 2012 / Quarterfinal Round, 2012

My comments are not showing up. I am also disturbed and saddened by this review. I live in SW rural (but I can drive to Cinci/Dayton) Ohio and I can get ancho chile peppers--which, as everyone else has noted, are dried not fresh. I love the idea of Food52 people doing these contests in the future--I trust you guys way more!

I completely agree with everyone who was disturbed and saddened by this review. And for what it is worth I live in rural SW Ohio and I can get anchos. Idea of cartoon review: great. Actual review? NOT.

Huh?? Love Roz, but not in this forum.

I know that this is just supposed to be a fun contest.I think that Roz Chast is always amusing,and that Tender is a lovely book-I've read and cooked from it.But,when people making recipes make substitutions,and then knock the dish,it's aggravating,and kind of unfair...just sayin'

The cartoon may be fun but the review isn't what I expect from Food52. I think it's disrespectful to the cookbook authors and the Food52 community to allow judges who either won't take the time or lack the culinary skills to review a cookbook I also agree with Rivka that Ina Garden's review was similarly disappointing.

I borrowed both books from the library. They are equally great. Roz’s cartoon is cute! And yet, while I’m happy that Tender is moving on to the next round, I feel Truly Mexican’s review was unrepresentative.

Rivka is right; chiles are pretty much available everywhere these days, not just Mexico and New York City, as the cartoon suggests. Adobos are made with DRIED CHILES, as it states in the very thorough 25-page-long adobo chapter of the book. The Basic Ancho Adobo recipe (pg 126 - sounds really yummy btw,) takes all of 3 minutes in a blender. Cooking the fish (pg 130) takes 2 or 3 minutes per side, as quick as, say, laying out a cheese board and opening a bottle of wine, after rummaging through the junk drawer for the corkscrew, and looking for the crackers. There’s also a Basics chapter, which talks about essential ingredients and techniques, a Salsa chapter, a Guacamole chapter, a Mole chapter, a what-else-to-do-with-sauces chapter, and then finally, a sides chapter. I’m eager to learn and cook from this book, as we love authentic Mexican food.

Perhaps, in the little piglet info box, top right, where it says "Welcome to the year 3 of the tournament of cookbooks!", omit the part about the judges being top food writers and chefs, because clearly, some aren’t. Or better yet, find judges who will agree to give equal consideration to both contenders and actually cook from the books.

How fun with the cartoons. Thanks!

I am disturbed and saddened by the stereotype of Mexican cooking perpetrated by Ms. Chast. It seems that she did not actually read enough of Truly Mexican to find recipes without chiles (there are MANY) - or was she not interested in discovering anything that might broaden the Mexican = hot-chiles-in-everything stereotype illustrated in her third illustration? Just because her illustrations are cute and humorous, does not excuse this kind of cultural rigidity. I participate in Food52 because the cooks are curious, adventurous, generous and enthusiastic. For those of us who hear similar stereotypes in the daily news this is not cute. I agree with Rivka and other previous commentators about the lack of basic consideration given to Truly Mexican. It's not that I am advocating for it to have been the winner; the basis for her lack of consideration was offensive. It was a talented person being thoughtless. This is the definition of micro-trauma in the psychology and sociology fields in which I work. This type of narrowness is not a characteristic of Food52 and does not belong in the Piglet.

I have no allegiance to either of these books, yet after reading their round one reviews I hope to purchase both of them at some point. While I appreciate the variation in judging format, I can't help but think Roberto Santibanez was dealt a huge disservice in this round of judging. If all the other judges in the competition are food professionals, capable of critical testing and judging, then EVERY judge should be capable of such. Ancho chiles are available at Safeway, hanging next to the Goya products in the Mexican-foods section.

I love the variety of judges! The entire bracket of cookbooks is composed of winners. Each judge brings another mindset of humor, knowledge, skill sets or lack thereof, which is what we are all about. I am enjoying reading a new point of view each day whether or not I agree on the result. I am a big Roz Chast fan and loved her cartoon as much as I like each day's judges input and final decision.

I agree, Rivka and I hope some of these books get back in for the wildcard round. I've also been thinking that Food52 members might be the best people to review and judge.

EXTREMELY well put, Rivka. I'm at a loss as to how a non-cook is in any position to judge a cookbook. Roz Chait is a brilliant cartoonist, but her failure with the recipe from Truly Mexican came from her lack of culinary knowledge.

I totally agree with Rivka. Let's decide what this is: if it's really meant to be a competition and review of cookbooks for us, the food52 audience, then let the reviewers reflect who we are - interested in food and ingredients even if a bit off the beaten path, and interested in cooking them. If Piglet is supposed to be a showcase for interesting/entertaining people, then let them review one book or cook one dish (like Jenny's blog) and write (or draw) about it.

I think it's TRULY unfortunate that someone who doesn't like chiles was asked to judge a Mexican cookbook. Not only is Truly Mexican a VERY easy book to follow, Roberto Santibanez is an extraordinary chef and teacher. And I found the cartoon cute but offensive in this instance. Just my ho.

Imagination is not what counts.

What a terrible review. I love both books and certainly don't have any issue with a person choosing Tender over Truly Mexican (although Truly Mexican is TRULY wonderful), but, seriously, a book is judged based on not making the recipe? Ridiculous.

Ms. Chast should have water with her Saltines and peanut butter.

The Piglet is a lot of fun, and I don't mind the quirky judges. It's a great reminder that this is all in fun.

But...Round 1's reviews inspired me to buy just one of the books, Truly Mexican. I have a number of Mexican cookbooks, but I've never felt like I "got it" with Mexican cooking. I'd thought the only way to get over my discomfort would be to find a nice old Mexican grandmother who spoke some English to help.

Truly Mexican changed that in a week! I have made the ancho adobo twice (the Whole Foods near me has the most lovely ancho chiles in their bulk bins). I've made tortillas and salsas and guacamoles and cooked pork and fish and chicken and beans in all sorts of ways. Best of all, in just that week, I now feel completely at ease to make my own substitutions and creations. It's a miracle that I just never got with Diana Kennedy.

I never figured that Truly Mexican would make it all the way--it's just not the kind of book that a lot of reviewers were going to love over the ones that have us growing vegetables and eating local, healthy food. But I sure am glad it was part of the mix.

What I love most about The Piglet is how fun it all is. Thank you, Roz, for an epic, all-star performance. And hats off to the tournament organizers for inviting a panel of judges as diverse, and talented in so many ways, as our wonderful FOOD52 community. ;o)

I love Roz Chast's work. In the New Yorker, here, anywhere. And I don't have a problem with her having been asked to participate here as a judge, any more than I did with Andy Borowitz having been the final judge for The Bib (which was pretty genius, actually). Not all food52 participants or readers are professional or even semi-professional cooks. She found Truly Mexican to be beyond her. Nonetheless, I suspect that her review of it may only cement interest on the part of those who are truly curious about it. That said, Tender is a brilliant and beautiful piece of writing.

Genius.

brilliant on so many levels. i love this comic and tender is definitely my top pick for the win!