Every Sunday, I review a cookbook in an attempt to lend some guidance in a field that has become overrun. These days everyone is writing cookbooks and it is incredibly upsetting to buy a dud and have it sit on your shelf for years – staring at you, mocking your poor judgment.

I chose Tyler Florence’s latest book as my very first review because he is one of my favorite TV personalities and I definitely respect him for his work. His recipes tend to be on the simpler side which is great, but also he packs in the flavor.

Dinner at My Place, has some fantastic recipes in it, a few of which he has also shown on his “Tyler’s Ultimate” show. But the real thing I enjoyed about this book is the organization. He organizes the book not by ingredient, style, or even season, but by life moments and emotions. Apart from being a cookbook, it is almost a biography.

The Atmosphere for Food

Tyler spends a page or two at the beginning of each chapter explaining the situations that made the recipes in that chapter special. These are recipes that he has pulled from meals he cooked for special people in his life. Without knowing a bit about the setting, the recipes seem haphazard. Plus, he’s a funny dude and his stories are sincere.

There was one particular chapter that had me laughing. His wife was about to go into labor and they were all sitting around nervously waiting. Suddenly Tolan, his wife, lets out a scream! Everyone there thinks that she has gone into labor! Instead, Tolan just witnessed some moron run into a fire hydrant outside their house, causing a flood. Hilarity ensued. And a baby happened.

The recipes in the chapter are from the meal he served to the firemen who helped save his house from the impending flood. He makes smoked ribs with dry rub, spicy black-eyed pea relish, tomato chow-chow, and a killer bourbon peach cobbler.

A Philosophy Behind Food

Tyler uses these small introductions in each chapter to talk a bit about food in America. There were two chapters that I thought were really timely. First, “Winner, Winner – Chicken Dinner (also my favorite Chapter Title). In just a single page, he breaks down the real differences between some of the common phrases that food producers are using these days to lure you to purchase their products: “All Natural”, “Free Range”, and “Certified Organic”.

I see the phrase “All Natural” all the time and this is the problem with that phrase:

“The USDA prohibits the use of hormones in raising poultry and most preservatives. But besides that, the chicken can be injected with just about anything else – from salt-water solutions to seaweed extract – and still be called “all natural.”

Second, I love his vegetarian chapter because it is exactly how I feel. I love meat. I was raised on the stuff and it will forever be a part of my diet. That said, I totally understand all of the reasons why people choose a vegetarian lifestyle and I want to respect that choice. That does not mean that when they come to dinner, they forage through side dishes.

Tyler says it right, “I’m not about to alienate them and make them their own “special” meal. We’re all eating together and we’re going to share the same great food.” He spends a chapter walking through one of his vegetarian meals and it is fantastic.

Heirloom, Meyer, and Dungeness Oh MY!

The one criticism I have, which might be unavoidable if you are going to write a cookbook about the food you actually eat and you live in California, is that some of the ingredients are very exotic for people not living in California.

For example, I feel a tad guilty sometimes buying a Meyer lemon because I know it has thousands of miles under its belt. And does my dish really need a Meyer lemon or would a standard old lemon work? Do I need that prized Heirloom tomato or will a beefsteak tomato do?

Sometimes these “average” ingredients travel just as far as the exotic ingredients and it is just a matter of cost, but even then I would like a bit more guidance. Tyler doesn’t really distinguish and that makes it hard to learn when you actually do need the extra flavor that those ingredients can lend to a dish.

Applicable recipes

On the exact flip side, a few chapters in the book lend themselves perfectly to everyday living. While I don’t have any children, I found one of his later chapters “Baby in the Kitchen” inspiring. He makes a good point that all of the baby food you buy in stores is over-processed and over-priced. There are ten recipes in the baby food chapter and if you have a new born, this chapter alone is worth the cost of the book.

For the last chapter in the book, before the very thorough index, Tyler presents his “Cheat Sheet.” In this chapter you will find 22 very solid recipes for stuff you can use weekly. I have no doubt that I could make a recipe at least once a week based off of one of the things in this chapter and live a very happy life. Everything from “Pan Gravy” to a “Classic French Vinaigrette” to “Asian Stir-fry Sauce” is detailed in a quick, easy to reference, format.

Filet Mignon with Blender Béarnaise

If I had to pick one recipe that I will definitely make from this book, and luckily I don’t have to pick one, I would pick this. It might not be the most original recipe or the easiest, but it just called out to me. A very classic Filet Mignon with a nice take on a béarnaise sauce. When I make this, not if, I’ll be sure to call your attention to the fact that I’m using Tyler’s recipe.

I’m not at all surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, because I think I have a very similar take on food and cooking. While you might have to substitute a Meyer lemon for a regular lemon or an Heirloom tomato for a pint of cherry tomotoes, I think this would be a good addition to almost any kitchen shelf.

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