Cook Like Your Ancestors Unlocks the Old Secrets of Cooking

I stumbled upon a culinary gem that caught my attention — “Cook Like Your Ancestors: An Illustrated Guide to Intuitive Cooking With Recipes From Around the World” by the talented Mariah-Rose Marie. This book is a vibrant and fully illustrated handbook designed to unlock the secrets of intuitive cooking. This cookbook is not just a collection of recipes; it’s a sensory journey into the heart of culinary artistry.

Perfect for both novices and seasoned chefs alike, this beginner-friendly masterpiece begins with an insightful primer. It’s not just about the recipes; it’s a comprehensive guide that acquaints you with essential tools, introduces you to diverse ingredients, and encourages you to rely on your five senses to craft mouthwatering delights.

But what truly sets this book apart is its inclusion of twenty vegetarian recipes sourced from various corners of the globe. Each dish is a flavorful passport, allowing you to traverse the rich tapestry of worldwide cuisines. Whether you’re a plant-based aficionado or simply seeking culinary diversity, these recipes promise a delectable journey that transcends geographical boundaries.

The enchantment of “Cook Like Your Ancestors” lies not only in its culinary guidance but also in its evocative approach to the age-old art of cooking. The thoughtful illustrations woven throughout the pages serve as windows into the past, resurrecting the ancestral methods that lend a distinct soul to our gastronomic endeavors.

This cookbook goes beyond the mundane, transforming into a field guide to the ethereal and mystical dimensions of our culinary traditions. It beckons readers to embrace the intangible elements that infuse cooking with magic — an aromatic dance of flavors, a symphony of textures, and the profound connection between the cook and the cuisine.

“Cook Like Your Ancestors” transcends the ordinary. It’s not just a compilation of recipes; it’s a cerebral feast, stimulating not only the palate but also the mind. As you flip through its pages, you’ll discover that it imparts a new and profound meaning to the phrase “food for the brain,” inviting you to savor the wisdom and richness embedded in the culinary tapestry of our ancestors. Prepare to embark on a culinary odyssey that tantalizes the senses and nourishes the soul.

Have you ever met someone who never uses recipes, yet makes incredible meals every time? It seems to be magic preserved only in the hands of grandmothers or any passionate provider. An ancient, special knowledge that takes a lifetime to perfect. But that’s not always true. You can start learning now, and you probably know far more than you think.

Inside this fully illustrated cookbook is an introduction to intuitive food preparation! This means less reliance on teaspoons, grams, degrees, and exact cook times, and more on the way humans have always cooked: by tasting, watching, smelling, listening, feeling, and remembering. Follow along with home chef Mariah-Rose Marie to learn how to measure with your hands, season with your senses, balance flavors on the fly, remember ratios, and more—all with minimal equipment and minimal spending.

You can practice your new knowledge with the twenty delicious vegetarian recipes collected from family, friends, and contributors throughout the globe. From Persian kashk-e bademjan and Icelandic skyrterta to Mexican-Taiwanese horchata con boba, the recipes range from traditional to transformed, reflecting the way foods—like people—migrate, mix, adapt, and are remembered. This book was created with international and financial accessibility in mind, and the hope that readers of all backgrounds will find appreciation for the myriad people and flavors of our shared world. 

So grab your trusty cast iron skillet, and get cooking!

Mariah-Rose Marie is a graphic novelist, story artist, illustrator and writer whose work can be seen anywhere from Netflix, FX, and HBO Max to The New Yorker, Science for the People Magazine, and The Nib. With empathy and humor, they create works about wildlife, politics, queer culture, history, and the intersections of identity. When not working on her upcoming graphic novels or storyboarding for TV, she can be found tending to urban gardens, cooking something spicy, or fighting people for sport. Mariah-Rose lives on Tongva land, in Los Ángeles.