Best Selling Books by Mark Bittman

The bestselling, six-time James Beard Award–winning food writer shares nearly every recipe from his long-running "The Minimalist" column. There''s a method to Mark Bittman''s minimalist madness. These timeless recipes are stripped down to their essentials with interchangeable ingredients, creating satisfying dishes with a minimum of effort. This simplicity and versatility allow readers to learn contemporary cooking basics, while developing a sixth sense that comes with experience. Including fish, meat, vegetables, noodles, desserts, and more, these recipes are inspired by informal, quick, everyday food from all over the world. From Nearly Instant Miso Soup with Tofu to Forty-Minute Cassoulet, Grilled Pizza to Pad Thai, you can elevate family dinners, parties, and cookouts without worrying about having the perfect ingredients or chef-level skills. Good food made with good intentions is what Bittman''s philosophy—and this cookbook—are all about. Originally published as The Minimalist Cooks at Home, The Minimalist Cooks Dinner, and The Minimalist Entertains "Minimalism in cooking is what every cook dreams of but rarely manages to achieve. Mark Bittman has definitely mastered the art of simplicity while keeping food flavorful and appetizing." —Daniel Boulud "Minimum ingredients, great techniques, and maximum flavor; that''s what Mark is all about." —Jean-Georges Vongerichten, coauthor of Jean-Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four-Star Chef "Mark Bittman makes great everyday cooking and eating possible in a harried world." —Lynne Rossetto Kasper, author of The Italian Country Table

"I know of only one person who could put together such a treasury of the best recipes in the world: Mark Bittman." —Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen Join iconic, six-time James Beard Award–winning food writer Mark Bittman on a journey across the globe—not to the fanciest, most-acclaimed restaurants in the world, but to the good bars, little joints, mom-and-pop operations, and home kitchens that serve up common, everyday food. Here you''ll find streamlined, modernized, updated versions of authentic dishes, recreated in ways that don''t rob them of their integrity, but that make them more accessible. China''s Jook, Mexico''s Chile-Fried Shrimp, India''s Red-Braised Chicken, and Sweden''s Sweet Almond Buns are just a few of the easy-to-prepare, traditional dishes in these pages. Relying on the techniques common across cultures, Bittman helps you become familiar with a wide range of ingredients and distills the recipes down to their basic ingredients. His vast knowledge and expert advice help you bring the world to your table. "The amount of research and recipe testing that went into compiling this cookbook is awe-inspiring. The end result is a brilliant anthology of world cuisine—global recipes that are delicious and, in the best Mark Bittman tradition, easily recreated at home with minimum fuss but maximum flavor." —Daniel Boulud "Mark Bittman is among our most important and influential food writers. I respect his work enormously, which is why I''m greatly looking forward to cooking from his new book, a collection of recipes that would take me a decade to discover on my own." —Paula Wolfert, James Beard Award–winning author of The Cooking of Southwest France

If you’re one of the millions who have thought of trying a vegan diet but fear it’s too monotonous or unfamiliar, VB6 will introduce a flexible way of eating that you can really live with for life. Six years ago, an overweight, pre-diabetic Mark Bittman faced a medical directive: adopt a vegan diet or go on medication. He was no fan of a lifelong regimen of pills, but as a food writer he lived—and worked—to eat. So neither choice was appealing. His solution was a deal with himself. He would become a “flexitarian.” He adopted a diet heavy in vegetables, fruits, and grains by following a healthy vegan diet (no meat, dairy, or processed foods) all day. After 6:00 p.m. he’d eat however he wanted, though mostly in moderation. Beyond that, his plan involved no gimmicks, scales, calorie counting, or point systems. And there were no so-called forbidden foods—he ate mostly home-cooked meals that were as varied and satisfying as they were delicious. He called this plan Vegan Before 6:00 (VB6 for short), and the results were swift and impressive. Best of all, they proved to be lasting and sustainable over the long haul. Bittman lost 35 pounds and saw all of his blood numbers move in the right direction. Using extensive scientific evidence to support his plan, the acclaimed cookbook author and food policy columnist shows why his VB6 approach succeeds when so many other regimens not only fail, but can actually lead to unwanted weight gain. He then provides all the necessary tools for making the switch to a flexitarian diet: lists for stocking the pantry, strategies for eating away from home in a variety of situations, pointers for making cooking on a daily basis both convenient and enjoyable, and a complete 28-day eating plan showing VB6 in action. Finally, Bittman provides more than 60 recipes for vegan breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, as well as non-vegan dinners that embrace the spirit of a vegetable- and grain-forward diet.

Award-winning cookbook author and popular New York Times columnist Mark Bittman offers 404 quick, easy seasonal recipes, now in paperback. DO YOU HAVE 20 MINUTES TO MAKE A GREAT MEAL? In Mark Bittman’s Kitchen Express, “America’s foremost home cook” (New York Observer) presents more than 400 incredibly fast and easy recipes tailored to each season and presented in a simple, straightforward style. Bittman’s recipe sketches are the ideal mix of inspiration and instruction: everything a home cook needs to prepare a delicious, healthful, and cost-conscious repertoire of meals for any season and any time of day. And since they’re written with an eye for speed and flexibility, you can be cooking on a moment’s notice—just check the pantry or fridge and away you go. With Bittman’s trusted voice leading you, you’ll be in and out of your kitchen in 20 minutes or less. Bittman also includes a guide to the foods you’ll want on hand to cook the Kitchen Express way as well as suggestions for seasonal menus and lists of recipes for specific uses, like brown-bag lunches or the best dishes for reheating. You may never order takeout again!

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.

The ultimate one-stop vegetarian cookbook-from the author of the classic How to Cook Everything Hailed as "a more hip Joy of Cooking" by the Washington Post, Mark Bittman''s award-winning book How to Cook Everything has become the bible for a new generation of home cooks, and the series has more than 1 million copies in print. Now, with How to Cook Everything: Vegetarian, Bittman has written the definitive guide to meatless meals-a book that will appeal to everyone who wants to cook simple but delicious meatless dishes, from health-conscious omnivores to passionate vegetarians. How to Cook Everything: Vegetarian includes more than 2,000 recipes and variations-far more than any other vegetarian cookbook. As always, Bittman''s recipes are refreshingly straightforward, resolutely unfussy, and unfailingly delicious-producing dishes that home cooks can prepare with ease and serve with confidence. The book covers the whole spectrum of meatless cooking-including salads, soups, eggs and dairy, vegetables and fruit, pasta, grains, legumes, tofu and other meat substitutes, breads, condiments, desserts, and beverages. Special icons identify recipes that can be made in 30 minutes or less and in advance, as well as those that are vegan. Illustrated throughout with handsome line illustrations and brimming with Bittman''s lucid, opinionated advice on everything from selecting vegetables to preparing pad Thai, How to Cook Everything: Vegetarian truly makes meatless cooking more accessible than ever. Praise for How to Cook Everything Vegetarian "Mark Bittman''s category lock on definitive, massive food tomes continues with this well-thought-out ode to the garden and beyond. Combining deep research, tasty information, and delicious easy-to-cook recipes is Mark''s forte and everything I want to cook is in here, from chickpea fries to cheese soufflés." —Mario Batali, chef, author, and entrepreneur "How do you make an avid meat eater (like me) fall in love with vegetarian cooking? Make Mark Bittman''s How to Cook Everything Vegetarian part of your culinary library." —Bobby Flay, chef/owner of Mesa Grill and Bar Americain and author of the Mesa Grill Cookbook "Recipes that taste this good aren''t supposed to be so healthy. Mark Bittman makes being a vegetarian fun." —Dr. Mehmet Oz, Professor of Surgery, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia Medical Center and coauthor of You: The Owner''s Manual

From the award-winning champion of conscious eating and author of the bestselling Food Matters comes The Food Matters Cookbook, offering the most comprehensive and straightforward ideas yet for cooking easy, delicious foods that are as good for you as they are for the planet. The Food Matters Cookbook is the essential encyclopedia and guidebook to responsible eating, with more than 500 recipes that capture Bittman’s typically relaxed approach to everything in the kitchen. There is no finger-wagging here, just a no-nonsense and highly flexible case for eating more plants while cutting back on animal products, processed food, and of course junk. But for Bittman, flipping the ratio of your diet to something more virtuous and better for your body doesn’t involve avoiding any foods—indeed, there is no sacrifice here. Since his own health prompted him to change his diet, Bittman has perfected cooking tasty, creative, and forward-thinking dishes based on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Meat and other animal products are often included—but no longer as the centerpiece. In fact the majority of these recipes include fish, poultry, meat, eggs, or dairy, using them for their flavor, texture, and satisfying nature without depending on them for bulk. Roasted Pork Shoulder with Potatoes, Apples, and Onions and Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes and Clams are perfect examples. Many sound downright decadent: Pasta with Asparagus, Bacon, and Egg; Stuffed Pizza with Broccoli, White Beans, and Sausage; or Roasted Butternut Chowder with Apples and Bacon, for example. There are vegetarian recipes, too, and they have flair without being complicated—recipes like Beet Tartare, Lentil “Caviar” with All the Trimmings, Radish-Walnut Tea Sandwiches, and Succotash Salad. Bittman is a firm believer in snacking, but in the right way. Instead of packaged cookies or greasy chips, Bittman suggests Seasoned Popcorn with Grated Parmesan or Fruit and Cereal Bites. Nor does he skimp on desserts; rather, he focuses on fruit, good-quality chocolate, nuts, and whole-grain flours, using minimal amounts of eggs, butter, and other fats. That allows for a whole chapter devoted to sweets, including Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies, Apricot Polenta Cake, Brownie Cake, and Coconut Tart with Chocolate Smear. True to the fuss-free style that has made him famous, Bittman offers plenty of variations and substitutions that let you take advantage of foods that are in season—or those that just happen to be in the fridge. A quick-but-complete rundown on ingredients tells you how to find sustainable and flavorful meat and shop for dairy products, grains, and vegetables without wasting money on fancy organic labels. He indicates which recipes you can make ahead, those that are sure to become pantry staples, and which ones can be put together in a flash. And because Bittman is always comprehensive, he makes sure to include the building-block recipes for the basics of home cooking: from fast stocks, roasted garlic, pizza dough, and granola to pots of cooked rice and beans and whole-grain quick breads. With a tone that is easygoing and non-doctrinaire, Bittman demonstrates the satisfaction and pleasure in mindful eating. The result is not just better health for you, but for the world we all share.

The first major new work from the man who taught America How to Cook Everything is truly the one book a cook needs for a perfect dinner--easy, fancy, or meatless, as the occasion requires. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR BY LIBRARY JOURNAL Mark Bittman is revered for his simple, straightforward, and flexible approach to everyday cooking. In Dinner for Everyone, he shares 100 essential main dishes, each with easy, vegan, and all-out recipes as the mood or occasion requires. These 300 all-new recipes, accompanied by more than 100 full-color photographs, form a diverse collection that includes quick meals for busy weeknights (hearty soups, tacos, and one-pot pastas), creative plant-based fare that will please both vegans and non-vegans alike (lemon polenta with mushroom ragu, pomegranate-glazed eggplant, or cauliflower tinga tacos), and impressive dishes perfect for entertaining (handmade noodles and even your Thanksgiving centerpiece). Whatever the experience level, craving, or time constraint, home cooks will find exactly what they need to prepare all their favorites with confidence and enthusiasm. Rooted in Mark''s philosophy of using efficient cooking techniques, fresh ingredients, and basic equipment--and written in his signature to-the-point style--Dinner for Everyone is a one-stop, indispensable reference for life''s ultimate question: What''s for dinner?

The next best thing to having Mark Bittman in the kitchen with you Mark Bittman''s highly acclaimed, bestselling book How to Cook Everything is an indispensable guide for any modern cook. With How to Cook Everything The Basics he reveals how truly easy it is to learn fundamental techniques and recipes. From dicing vegetables and roasting meat, to cooking building-block meals that include salads, soups, poultry, meats, fish, sides, and desserts, Bittman explains what every home cook, particularly novices, should know. 1,000 beautiful and instructive photographs throughout the book reveal key preparation details that make every dish inviting and accessible. With clear and straightforward directions, Bittman''s practical tips and variation ideas, and visual cues that accompany each of the 185 recipes, cooking with How to Cook Everything The Basics is like having Bittman in the kitchen with you. This is the essential teaching cookbook, with 1,000 photos illustrating every technique and recipe; the result is a comprehensive reference that’s both visually stunning and utterly practical. Special Basics features scattered throughout simplify broad subjects with sections like “Think of Vegetables in Groups,” “How to Cook Any Grain,” and “5 Rules for Buying and Storing Seafood.” 600 demonstration photos each build on a step from the recipe to teach a core lesson, like “Cracking an Egg,” “Using Pasta Water,” “Recognizing Doneness,” and “Crimping the Pie Shut.” Detailed notes appear in blue type near selected images. Here Mark highlights what to look for during a particular step and offers handy advice and other helpful asides. Tips and variations let cooks hone their skills and be creative.

"From hunting and gathering to GMOs and ultraprocessed foods, this expansive tour of human history rewrites the story of our species--and points the way to a better future"--

A revolutionary approach to making easy, delicious whole-grain bread and more This is the best bread you''ve ever had--best tasting, nourishing, and easy to make right in your own kitchen. Mark Bittman and co-author Kerri Conan have spent years perfecting their delicious, naturally leavened, whole-grain bread. Their discovery? The simplest, least fussy, most flexible way to make bread really is the best. Beginning with a wholesome, flavorful no-knead loaf (that also happens to set you up with a sourdough starter for next time), this book features a bounty of simple, adaptable recipes for every taste, any grain--including baguettes, hearty seeded loaves, sandwich bread, soft pretzels, cinnamon rolls, focaccia, pizza, waffles, and much more. At the foundation, Mark and Kerri offer a method that works with your schedule, a starter that''s virtually indestructible, and all the essential information and personal insights you need to make great bread.

The New York Times –bestselling, six-time James Beard Award–winning author "makes great everyday cooking and eating possible in a harried world" (Lynne Rossetto Kasper, host of "The Splendid Table" radio show and two-time James Beard Award–winner). There''s no better time for the minimalist philosophy of iconic food writer Mark Bittman. Today''s home cooks need fast, flexible, flavorful recipes that are simply sourced, easy to prepare, and never boring. Stripping recipes to their bare essentials—while allowing for variations and spinoffs—is part of Bittman''s plan and offers building blocks for cooks of every level. Substitute chicken in his Roast Cod with Tangerine Sauce or build on his basic batter to make a variety of taste-tempting cookies. The Minimalist Cooks at Home includes such simple, seasonal recipes as 30-Minute Clam Chowder, Perfect Grilled Steak, Chicken Curry in a Hurry, The Minimalist''s Thanksgiving Turkey, Sausage with Grapes, 10-Minute Stir-Fried Chicken with Nuts, and 15-Minute Fruit Gratin, along with sauces and condiments to transform each dish. You''ll wonder how you ever lived without it . . . "All of his recipes offer a range of easygoing variations, and this antiauthoritarian congeniality allows you to make a tasty meal that accords with what you feel like and what you''ve got on hand." — The New York Times Book Review "A comprehensive collection that ranges from American specialties, such as deviled chicken thighs, to international classics, like an eight-ingredient version of choucroute. Each recipe, from soup to dessert, includes Bittman''s clear and reliable directions, along with prep and cooking times." — Bon Appétit "With its combination of food history, practical instructions, and improvisation, The Minimalist goes a long way towards demystifying cooking." — Chicago Sun-Times

Since his New York Times op-ed column debuted in 2011, Mark Bittman has emerged as one of our most impassioned and opinionated observers of the food landscape. The Times’ only dedicated opinion columnist covering the food beat, Bittman routinely makes readers think twice about how the food we eat is produced, distributed, and cooked, and shines a bright light on the profound impact that diet—both good and bad—can have on our health and that of the planet. In A Bone to Pick, Mark’s most memorable and thought-provoking columns are compiled into a single volume for the first time. As abundant and safe as the American food supply appears to be, the state of our health reveals the presence of staggering deficiencies in both the system that produces food and the forces that regulate it. Bittman leaves no issue unexamined; agricultural practices, government legislation, fad diets, and corporate greed all come under scrutiny and show that the issues governing what ends up in our market basket and on our tables are both complex and often deliberately confusing. Unabashedly opinionated and invariably thought provoking, Bittman’s columns have helped readers decipher arcane policy, unpack scientific studies, and deflate affronts to common sense when it comes to determining what “eating well” truly means. As urgent as the situation is, Mark contends that we can be optimistic about the future of our food and its impact on our health, as slow-food movements, better school-lunch programs, and even “healthy fast food” become part of the norm. At once inspiring, enraging, and enlightening, A Bone to Pick is an essential resource for every reader eager to understand not only the complexities inherent in the American food system, but also the many opportunities that exist to improve it.

"This book perfectly describes simple and easy entertaining for each season", from a New York Times –bestselling and James Beard Award–winning food writer (Daniel Boulud). No matter the occasion—from cocktail parties to buffets to elegant sit-down dinners—Mark Bittman has you covered. Toss out the idea that you have to deliver near-perfect, super expensive food to entertain family and friends. His creative menus are packed with simple, flavorful dishes for starters, main courses, sides, and desserts—all made with easily found ingredients and requiring minimal preparation. Organized by menus and seasons, this book serves up recipes along with "Keys to Success" that focus on stand-out ingredients and offer suggestions for adding a dish or two to make the menu more elaborate; a "Timetable" section that gives you tips and tricks on organizing the meal prep; and basic wine selections. From a Pan-Asian Dinner in the spring (Risotto with Coconut Milk and Seafood, Broiled Lamb Chops with Mint Chutney, Herbed Green Salad with Soy Vinaigrette, and Pineapple-Ginger Sorbet) to a wintertime Informal Italian Dinner (Pasta with Fast Sausage Ragù, Chicken with Pancetta and Balsamic Vinegar, Porcini-Scented "Wild" Mushroom Sauté, and Ricotta with Walnuts and Honey), The Minimalist Entertains makes it easier than ever to combine food, fun, and friends. "Let''s face it: entertaining is a slightly scary business for just about everybody. But in this book, Mark Bittman''s trademark brand of delicious but easy recipes is joined by a ''let''s just have fun'' attitude that makes you actually want to have folks over for dinner." —John Willoughby and Chris Schlesinger, coauthors of The Thrill of the Grill and License to Grill

Featuring hundreds of easy and innovative recipes to get dinner on the table in no time flat, How To Cook Everything Fast Revised Edition, from acclaimed home-cooking expert and #1 New York Times bestselling author Mark Bittman, is now completely revised and includes gorgeous color photos.