These incredible Indian “Burritos” are from Aida Mollenkamp‘s brand spankin’ new cookbook, Keys to the Kitchen: The Essential Reference for Becoming a More Accomplished, Adventurous Cook. It’s been described as the “Joy of Cooking” for a new generation. After spending a few weeks with this book, I think that assessment is spot on.
Keys to the Kitchen gives you all the tools for success. In “Set-Up” Aida helps you make sure your pantry is stocked and your kitchen outfitted with the right stuff. Once you’ve got that down, she gets you comfortable in the “How-To” section, teaching helpful techniques and formulas. Then there’s “The Recipes” where with each one she offers a “takeaway” as well as a review of the basic techniques you learned in “How_To.” Finally in “The Riff,” she gives you the confidence to let go and be a more adventurous, creative cook .
When I first heard about Keys to the Kitchen I wasn’t sure how this incredible wealth of information could fit into one book, but the design is genius. It’s clearly laid out with Aida’s philosophy reassuringly straightforward and practical. I read it like a novel–cover to cover–and took inspiration from its pages.
For me this is one of those rare must-own books. It’s filled with brilliant recipes and ideas for seasoned cooks, but it’s an especially perfect purchase for someone just starting out or looking to take their skills to the next level. This will be my new gift book for college grads, newlyweds, and birthday boys and girls who want to become more accomplished, adventurous cooks.
There were so many recipes I wanted to make, but I kept flipping back to the page with the Indian “Burritos” – a combination of two of my favorite cuisines: Indian and Mexican. My instincts were right! The burritos were so good we made them twice in one weekend! Next up, Seared Scallops with Sweet-Spicy Chile Sauce and Balsamic Caramel Chicken with Roasted Eggplant.
We’re giving away a copy of Keys to the Kitchen! To enter, just answer the question:
What is your key to the kitchen? (WINNER ALREADY SELECTED!)
For me? It’s two things: a well-stocked pantry that makes weeknight cooking a no-brainer and keeping my Le Creuset stove-top at all times (that, I learned from Mom!)
Giveaway ends Friday, October 26 at 12 noon EST.
- 3 tbsp canola, grapeseed, or peanut oil
- One 1-in/2.5-cm pieces fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 1 to 1½ tbsp curry powder
- 1 head cauliflower (about 1½ lb/680 g), florets cut into bite-sized pieces
- Kosher salt
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 serrano chile, halved and seeded
- 8 oz/225g red-skinned potatoes, cut into small dice
- 1 cup/240 ml low-sodium vegetable broth, chicken broth, or water
- 1 cup/100 g shelled fresh or frozen baby peas
- ½ cup / 20 g roughly chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 to 6 soft whole-wheat flatbreads (such as rota, lavash, or tortilla), warmed
- Plain whole milk yogurt, for garnish
- Chutney, for garnish
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the ginger, half of the curry powder, and all of the cauliflower. Season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and the cauliflower is golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a plate with a slotted spoon.
- Wipe out the pan, return to the stove over medium heat, and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. When it shimmers, add the onion, garlic, and chile, season with salt, and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining curry powder, and cook until fragrant. Add the cauliflower, potatoes, and broth, and bring to a boil.
- Decrease the heat to low, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the cover and stir through to coat all the cauliflower. Cover again and simmer until the potatoes are knife-tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the cover, add the peas and cook until they are bright, about 3 minutes. Adjust the seasoning as desired, stir in the cilantro, and use to fill the burritos.
- To make the burrito, place the curry in the middle of the flatbreads. Top with yogurt and chutney, fold in sides, then roll up into a burrito shape, and serve.
A good knife. In my opinion, nothing is worse than trying to chop veggies with a dull knife that doesn’t fit well in your hand.
My key is to feel pleasure and gratitude about being in the kitchen.
And my cooking always turns out better when I am enjoying it!
The book sounds great! The key to my kitchen is my amazing Wusthof chef’s knife. I use it constantly! It was the one of the best birthday presents.
My key is my weekly menu planning. I learned from my mother to create a menu plan for the week and do the weekly shopping (plus have staples in the pantry for when the best laid plans don’t work out.)
Having all my cooking utensils handy and a good set of knives.
The key to my kitchen is the internet (blogs) and people like you ladies who give me such wonderful new recipe ideas. Your chickpea curry over sweet potatoes recipe was amazing and my family is still talking about it!
I have to echo your key – the well-stocked pantry. I’m obsessive about that. In addition – I have my cookbook library in my kitchen. Always looking for new ideas and having all of my beauties lined up and ready to give me inspiration helps!
Having a substantially stocked pantry of home-preserved veggies.
It is access to my grocery store on-line. Ordering is so easy.
A sharp knife and a clean kitchen to start with! thanks!!
My “key to the kitchen” is a desire to try new tastes and techniques.
Fortunate to have a variety of cultures to draw inspiration from: family, friends & travels.
My keys to the kitchen are keeping it stocked with essentials and learning about the variety of substitutions you can use with your recipes (and trying different options!) – something Pam’s cookbooks include and I love.
You all beat me to it! A well-stocked pantry and a few good knives make weeknight dinners doable for me.
Great ingredients and quality equipment = inspiration
These burritos sound so good! For me, the key to my kitchen is planning meals out for the week and having a husband who likes cooking as much as I do! (and has more time during the week)
My key is having people that will enjoy the food I make.
My key is to plan ahead. I wasted much less and enjoy cooking much more when I am prepared.
I’m learning that I never give myself enough time to cook and end up feeling rushed and stressed, which leads to accidents or food that isn’t as good as it could be. I need to make my key to the kitchen having everything ready and starting early!
My key is to cook simple dishes that bring maximum flavour!
Cooking from the heart for people I love!! More than anything I enjoy it when the people I’m cooking for enjoy my food.
Wee-stocked pantry has to be my answer as well! I love seeing a new recipe and doing a mental inventory and realizing that I have everything I need to make it!
A good sharp knife and quality ingredients.
My key to the kitchen is to know that i am nourishing my family with the food I make. This knowledge makes the process joyful.
A well stocked pantry that is organized ! My daughter works at a Container Store and for Christmas 2 yrs ago she put up shelving in my pantry. It is so wonderful to know where everything is at a glance!
a good knife and cutting board
Making use of a “free day” to simmer soup stocks and do some other make aheads for my freezer.
The keys to my kitchen are weekly menu planning and making a double batch of recipes that freeze well. I like to serve half, and freeze the other half, for those busy days that don’t allow enough time for a good home cooked meal.
The key to my kitchen is a good knife, my pantry stocked and cookbooks nearby.
My key to the kitchen is my family – knowing that they get enjoyment from what I make for them (or that they will encourage me if something happens to turn out less than stellar). Also, like you mentioned, a well-stocked pantry never hurts!
Clean counters and no dishes in the sink…:)
My key to the kitchen is a sharp knife, a big cutting board, and someone else to do the dishes!
So many great ideas already listed– must echo the importance of a good chef’s knife and my Le Crusset dutch oven. I’ll add a specific example to the “well-stocked pantry”– clean water, good salt and some form of acid (and vinegar or lemon juice), as these both lay the foundation and have the ability to “fix” a dish.
Don’t you just love her cookbook! I am posting the Faux Pho Bo today! Love this! 🙂
My keys to the kitchen are: also a well-stocked pantry, good, reliable kitchen tools and my 4 quart All Clad sauce pan. I’m also learning more and more about knowing where my food is coming from. .
I like cookbooks — my old Joy of Cooking, Pam Anderson books, Mark Bittman, plus Cook’s Illustrated collection books are my standbys
And yes I really do like the Pam Anderson and have 5 or 6!
I like to keep my panty full! I like having options so I can cook whatever I’d like!
Planning out meals for the week! I couldn’t function without doing that 🙂
A well stocked pantry. You have so many options if the pantry has the key staples that you usually use.
The key to my kitchen is flexibility! Gotta work with what I’ve got (in freezer/pantry) within the busy schedule I keep! Timing may be everything, but flexibility gets it done!
My keys are meal planning and a good set of knives!
The keys to my kitchen are well stocked pantry and cooking once and planning another meal with the leftovers.
I like to be able to serve my family a variety of healthy, flavorful meals. I have to say that a well-stocked pantry and access to fresh produce keep me inspired.
Good set of spices is essential in my kitchen. When cooking soup, I am like a witch – smelling and sniffing the pot to get that perfect taste.
A few great ingredients, a good sharp knife, inspiration, and someone to cook for.. thanks for the give away.
Sharp knives, anchovies, and “How to Cook Without a Book” (of course)
Love love love this book and it will be my go to choice for gifts for anyone who can’t chop an onion and come to think of it those who can too! No need to enter me in your contest but my answer would be sharp knives.
My key to the kitchen is using a great knife and loving all I do in the kitchen. This looks like an awesome book.
It’s hard to pick one thing! The keys to my success are a stocked pantry and a weekly menu!
I think the best key to the kitchen is a great recipe!