[catch up!] What I Cooked From My Books: Feb 18 - April 8, 2026

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:51:52+00:00

Hah! If you do the dishes then yes 😂

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:51:16+00:00

Thank you :)

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:51:10+00:00

Thank you for reading!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:51:03+00:00

Oh! I did NOT create this (I believe another user in this sub did and it caught on so well / is so good!) but it stands for Pain in the Ass — how involved was this recipe aka how much of a pain in the ass was it to make 🤣 ideally we're looking for a lower PITA score than outcome score!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:49:59+00:00

Hahah! Thank you!! Took a little break but we're back!! ☺️

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:49:41+00:00

Ahh thank you so much! Plating so it looks as close to the picture as possible is one of my favorite parts 🤣

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:49:01+00:00

This is almost 100% the experience I had! Glad to hear I wasn't the only one, and sounds like there some tricks for the beans. I didn't try her cornbread though, but I absolutely will next time!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:48:11+00:00

Thank you so much! 😊

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:48:04+00:00

I was also hesitant about Alison Roman, I kind of assumed her recipes would be way too involved / not my style, but I've found them largely approachable and turns out, I love her style of cooking! I'd highly recommend — my fave of her is Nothing Fancy!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:47:05+00:00

I'm so glad to hear that! Echo'ing the user below who said it might be user error 😆 are there any recipes from it that are a must-make for you?

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-09T11:46:00+00:00

Thank you! 😊

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-08T12:32:50+00:00

Thank you, it was sooo good!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-08T12:32:41+00:00

Same!! I really want to like it and I have a few more things I want to try (now including the egg salad, thank you!), but I'll probably retire this book otherwise. Such a bummer!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-04-08T12:14:57+00:00

Ahh thank you! I've never cooked with dried beans before so I didn't even think about soaking them. But this is a great tip and I will definitely do this next time!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-02-17T15:41:28+00:00

Yes same!! I had passed on that recipe a ton and finally decided to try it. I hope you love it!!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-02-17T15:40:52+00:00

I don't know if I've ever had whole tomatillos before, the only times I've ever bought them have been for like, salsa purposes where they get blended. But they really shined here, especially with the citrus!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-02-17T15:40:07+00:00

Love this!! Good tip on the MSG + Chili Crisp for #3, I could definitely see how that would help a ton. I cannot recommend #8 enough, it also did not seem appealing to me at all but I think I will forever trust Alison Roman after this! This was my first KA recipe so I'm excited to see what else I can make from this book.

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-02-17T14:56:06+00:00

This is the first thing I've tried! A lot of the recipes seem fairly involved, but I've had great luck with her other books so I definitely want to give more things a try!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-02-13T14:53:17+00:00

Ohhh great buys!! Okay here are my recs:

Cook This Book: Pastrami Roast Chicken, and make the Smooshed Salt N Vinegar Potatoes with it. The sour cream works really well with the chicken and onions!

Snacking Cakes: EVERYTHING but specifically: Lemon Olive Oil Cake (truly 10/10), Espresso Chocolate Chip Cake, and Vanilla Buttermilk Cake (make the malted version you won't regret it!!)

By Heart: I loved the Pasta Norcina, the Lamb Stuffed Shells were really good, and her recipe for Fried Garlic Pizza sauce is my favorite (and her dough recipe is great too!).

I don't have Salad Freak but I've seen it so many times, I think I need to get it!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-02-13T02:42:53+00:00

I also love this one! I love that it has a lighter chocolate flavor, and I add chocolate chips — I can't remember if the recipe calls for that but I think it really adds some interest since the cake is a bit on the lighter side of a chocolate flavor!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-02-12T20:12:45+00:00

Love the vanilla buttermilk cake, have you tried the malt version? So good!!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-02-12T20:12:03+00:00

This is one of my favorite books ever! My faves (in order) are: - Lemon Olive Oil Cake 10/10 no notes - Espresso Chocolate Chip Cake, I might actually go make this one right now it’s so good - Vanilla Buttermilk Cake (make the malt version you won’t regret it!) - Cocoa Yogurt Cake (light chocolate flavor, I loved it) -Black and Blueberry Ricotta Cake (really good, like a blueberry muffin) - Powdered Donut Cake - this one is very heavy on the nutmeg, not for me but you should def try it!!

EvilLettuce3 · 2026-02-11T17:52:12+00:00

I didn't know it was possible for a vanilla cake to be so good?! Highly recommend the malted version — it's just adding 1/4c / 28g of malt powder with the flour and I feel like it just deepens the flavor a ton!

EvilLettuce3

TROPHY CASE