“Piecemeal” is a fantastic concept - making a base recipe, and then using it as an anchor for three other recipes that can be put together in either at least five, fifteen, or thirty minutes. On top of that, each recipe also includes other suggested uses as well, so the three following recipes that are initially provided in detail for each base are merely the starting point more than anything else. Honestly, what I love most of all is it shows just how versatile a single component can be, and I think this cookbook is a great way to exercise and stretch one’s culinary imagination.

This is a nice cookbook for those who want to elevate their dishes. Pauline gives recipes for 30 tasty components like sautéed mushrooms, Caesar dressing and spinach turkey meatballs, and then three recipes to use each of them. There are photos for every recipe and it’s pretty easy to adapt for vegetarians. People with allergies like gluten will have to work a little. For the most part the cookbook is not a good fit for people who need to eat keto or low carb.

Minus one star for no nutritional information.

All in all, the recipes seem tasty and relatively easy. Some will be fairly time consuming. There is a definite international, gourmet flair. I read this in late spring when it’s already hot and I’ve been quite busy with gardening and foraging. This time of year I barely want to turn on the oven because I’m doing so much elsewhere, but these recipes do seem like good ones.

I read a temporary digital review copy of this book via NetGalley.

What a fantastic and unique idea for a cookbook. Here’s how it works: Kathryn Pauline has chosen 30 different base recipes focused on one component. For example: whole roasted garlic. First she explains how to prepare it (enough for 3 recipes). Not only do you get a very well-written recipe, you also get tips and notes on amounts, storage, and many ways to use it. (All recipes are in imperial and metric, perfect for cooks in all countries). Then, on the following pages are three different dishes where roasted garlic is used: Garlic bread, Hummus and Spaghetti aglio e olio. The first takes 5 minutes to prepare, the second 15, and the third 30 minutes.

So 30 base recipes plus 3 dishes from each = 120 recipes total. Plus mouth-watering photos. The dishes are quite varied with the amount of ingredients as well as the difficulty.

Kathryn Pauline includes lots of personal notes as well. She does this with each recipe: it is like attending a cooking class! This is my favorite kind of cookbook, one where you actually learn about food and are inspired to try to improvise.

Thank you NetGalley and Chronicle Books for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review, which I will publish on social media closer to the pub date.

This is the cookbook for vegetable lovers that want quick, but flavor packed easy meal ideas. I am someone who needs to have vegetables for every meal to be satisfied. This is a fun way to include different veggies into every meal, and ways to enhance their flavors.
I love that the book emphasizes on how quick it is to make things, as well as offering ways to make certain things ahead of time, substituting and other notes for your meals.
The recipes in here arent revolutionary, or really different at all, but I think its a great cookbook for people who are just starting to get into cooking and trying new flavors. The book is easy to follow and a lot of these are staple foods that can be incorporated into your regular diet.
I personally will be trying their cilantro lime dressing asap.

Piecemeal by Kathryn Pauline is a valuable addition to any kitchen.
Meal planning with 30 ingredients and 90 variations. Each recipe base provides 3 recipe varieties for super quick (5min), quick (15min), and not as quick (30+min). I LOVE all the options!!
The pictures are stunning and so inviting. Broken into chapters of vegetables, meats, dressings and sauces, then fruits, compotes, and curds. Then recipes are then divided by breakfast, small plates and sides, dips and spreads, soups and salads, mains, and sweets.
The 30 components are described as bold, storable, versatile, and/or efficient. Creativity and self-expression is encouraged! There are a lot of tips and tricks and suggestions provided throughout.
I love the premise of variety and options. Combinations I never would have thought of trying. The recipes are communicated well and seem easy enough to make.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Such a fabulous concept -- This book includes 30 base recipes for things like grilled corn, coconut shrimp, actually good vinaigrette, and cinnamin apples (there are sections of base receipes for veggies, meats (only 3), dressings and sauces, and fruits/compotes/curds).

Each base recipe then has 3 recipes it could be used for - a 5+ minute, a 15+ minute, and a 30+ minute recipe. For example, marinated beets is one of the base recipes and the three offshoot recipes include labneh with marinated beets (5+), beet reubens (15+) and well-red chopped salad (30+). Each base recipe also includes a list of other possible uses and substitutions throughout the book like --= replace oranges in a salad with beets, or add atop a garlicky hummus (other recipes in the book), It also includes some tips outside the book's range (honestly one of my favorites is just use some fresh veggies or meats and throw on a frozen cheese pizza to flavor it up).

The book also has a wealth of storage tips (e.g. how long you can keep your marinated beets refrigerated and frozen, and what they'd be good for after freezing); and store-bought alternatives (like buy vacuum-sealed beets from the grocery store to save on prep time)..

The pictures are great - straightforward and appetizing and appear for every food!

Recipe complexity really ranges, typically more difficult / complex recipes for the 30+ minute recipes. Most of the recipes still seem achievable for an amateur, though maybe not something I'd choose to pick up.

The ethnic influences of the foods are really wide-ranging which I thought was exciting, though there may be things you've not heard of before (which I think is exciting).

Love this approach to cooking and prepping. Well done!

Piecemeal by Kathryn Pauline

What a unique structure for a cookbook! With a total of 120 recipes, there are 30 recipes to prepare basic base ingredients. Each of those base ingredients is then used in 3 different recipes - one that requires 5 additional minutes of preparation, one that requires 15, and one that requires 30. The 3 recipes are quite varied in many cases. This way of cooking will be extremely helpful for a busy schedule.

The cookbook includes a clear table of contents as well as an index, and the photography is beautiful.

Thank you to #Netgalley and Chronicle Books for a free copy of #Piecemeal by Kathryn Pauline. All opinions are my own.