After having this on my list for a few years, I found a copy at my used book store for $2. I found Adler's writing style to be a bit overwrought, which was disappointing to me
because it has gotten great reviews from some of my favorite authors. In places, the writing borders on pretentious, while in others it is simpler and more honest. This is mainly why it took me so long to get through.

In terms of content, nothing in this book is a new idea, exactly, but Adler does have great ways to spin dishes that don't come out quite right. She also has good uses for kitchen scraps that normally go to waste. The way the book is structures, with fewer recipes and more paragraphs outlining various ideas for ingredients, encourages experimentation by even inexperienced cooks. There are enough useful, everyday recipes and techniques in the book that I won't be giving it away any time soon.