America’s Test Kitchen is a popular source for recipes and cooking advice, known for their extensively tested recipes and in-depth cooking lessons. With gluten-free diets becoming increasingly common, many home cooks wonder if America’s Test Kitchen has developed recipes and cookbooks specifically for gluten-free cooking.
What is America’s Test Kitchen?
America’s Test Kitchen is a multimedia company focused on cooking education. They produce a popular PBS television show, publish Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country magazines, and create best-selling cookbooks. Their team of professional chefs, food scientists, and home cooks develop and test recipes extensively to determine the best techniques and ingredient combinations.
America’s Test Kitchen is known for their scientific approach to developing foolproof recipes. They test dozens of variations of each recipe and only publish the version that works best in their home kitchens. Their recipes are known for being reliable and rigorously vetted.
Does America’s Test Kitchen have a dedicated gluten-free cookbook?
Yes, America’s Test Kitchen has published a cookbook focused specifically on gluten-free cooking called The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook. This book contains over 225 gluten-free recipes that the test kitchen developed using their signature process.
The cookbook was authored by America’s Test Kitchen gluten-free experts Becky Krystal and Kimberly A. Burns. They worked extensively to formulate gluten-free versions of popular recipes like pizza, pasta, breads, cakes, cookies, and more. The cookbook aims to bring America’s Test Kitchen’s high standards to gluten-free baking and cooking.
What recipes are included in the gluten-free cookbook?
The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook contains a wide variety of recipes, including:
- Breads – sandwich bread, rolls, bagels, pizza crust
- Breakfast – pancakes, waffles, muffins, scones, donuts
- Appetizers – dumplings, soft pretzels, egg rolls
- Main dishes – chicken parmesan, meatloaf, lasagna, fried chicken
- Desserts – cakes, pies, cookies, brownies
The recipes cover all the gluten-free substitutions and techniques home cooks need to make their favorite foods without gluten. There are tips on the best gluten-free flour blends to use and how to adapt recipes to be gluten-free.
What makes the cookbook unique?
The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook stands out with its meticulously tested recipes formulated for optimal flavor, texture, and ease of preparation. America’s Test Kitchen put their rigorous recipe development process to use to make recipes that taste as close to the traditional gluten-containing versions as possible.
The cookbook guides readers through core techniques like making tender gluten-free pizza dough, light cakes, and flaky biscuits. The recipes avoid commonly used gums and starches in store-bought gluten-free products, relying on whole food ingredients instead. There are also nutritional analyses of each recipe.
The team extensively tested the recipes on a variety of gluten-free flours and flour blends. They provide details on which flour blends work best for different recipes so readers can easily achieve great results.
Expert reviews of the gluten-free cookbook
The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook has received positive reviews praising its high-quality recipes:
- New York Times – “This volume offers a master class in gluten-free cooking…I was thoroughly impressed with the results and hope the cookbook brings its readers as much pleasure as it brought me.”
- Publishers Weekly – “Every meticulously tested recipe yields good results… Cooks who avoid gluten will appreciate this thoroughly reliable cookbook, with its excellent directions and problem-solving focus.”
- Library Journal – “This cookbook provides all you need to create gluten-free recipes with superior flavors and textures. Highly recommended.”
Reviewers mention the extensive testing done on the recipes as setting this book apart from other gluten-free cookbooks. America’s Test Kitchen lived up to their reputation for meticulous recipe development even when using unfamiliar gluten-free ingredients.
Awards for the gluten-free cookbook
The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook has earned recognition from major publications:
- James Beard Award Nominee for Best Cookbook in the Health & Special Diets Category
- IACP Award Nominee for Best Health & Special Diet Cookbook
Being nominated for prestigious James Beard and IACP cookbook awards demonstrates the impressively high quality of the recipes and presentation of the book. The cookbook stood out against other gluten-free and special diet cookbooks for its thoroughness and extensive testing.
Is the cookbook suitable for beginners?
Yes, the How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook is a great resource for those new to gluten-free cooking. The book contains detailed introductions to core gluten-free ingredients and provides step-by-step instructions for essential techniques.
The recipes are clearly formatted and the instructions provide ample guidance. There are also tips on how to stock your kitchen, read labels to avoid hidden gluten, and substitutions to make recipes gluten-free.
Since the recipes were extensively tested on a variety of flour blends, even beginner cooks can achieve success using the recommended substitutions. The book takes the guesswork out of gluten-free cooking and baking.
Does the book include nutritional information?
Yes, one of the unique features of the How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook is that it includes key nutritional information for each recipe. The nutrition facts panel includes details on calories, fat, carbs, fiber, and more.
Providing the nutritional breakdown makes it easy for readers to incorporate the recipes into a healthy diet. The book also highlights recipes that are higher in protein or other nutrients. Having the nutrition information sets this cookbook apart from typical gluten-free cookbooks.
What are recipe developers saying about the cookbook?
Gluten-free recipe developers have given the How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook high marks for its quality recipes and thorough explanations:
- “The recipes include details that most gluten-free cookbooks lack, like recipe notes on achieving the proper dough consistency.” – Lisa from Triumph Dining
- “They do an amazing job breaking down the science behind gluten-free cooking and baking. The recipes are clearly tested extensively as well.” – Arathy from My Gluten-Free Table
- “The nutritional information is so helpful. I wish more gluten-free cookbooks did this!” – Miranda from The Gluten Free Baking Academy
Having the expertise and testing capabilities of America’s Test Kitchen has set a new standard for gluten-free cookbooks according to bloggers and recipe testers in the space.
Is the cookbook worth the cost?
Considering the extensive development and testing involved, the How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook provides very good value for the cost. With over 200 tested recipes, detailed cooking lessons, and nutritional information, it is priced competitively compared to other major gluten-free cookbooks.
America’s Test Kitchen produces high-quality cookbooks with thorough explanations and instructions that go beyond most cookbooks. For cooks interested in learning the methods behind gluten-free cooking and baking, the expertise offered makes the cookbook well worth the price.
What do everyday home cooks think about the book?
Home cooks using the How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook on a regular basis have left positive reviews mentioning:
- The bread and pizza dough recipes are much more reliable than other gluten-free cookbooks
- Cookies and cakes have better texture and rise compared to other gluten-free recipes they’ve tried
- Meals and sides like fried chicken, lasagna, and risotto taste just as good gluten-free
- Recipes are easy to follow with no frustratingly complicated steps
Many home cooks note they are pleasantly surprised by the taste and quality of the recipes. Even skeptics say many of the recipes become new family favorites.
How has the cookbook improved gluten-free cooking methods?
The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook has advanced gluten-free home cooking by:
- Identifying optimal flour blends for recipes through extensive testing
- Developing more reliable techniques for gluten-free pizza, bread, cakes that improve texture and rise
- Providing detailed instructions and tips for adaptations to improve gluten-free recipes
- Formulating recipes using real food ingredients to closely mimic traditional recipes and flavors
The meticulous work understanding the science behind gluten-free cooking and finding solutions to common issues sets a new standard that most gluten-free cookbooks do not match.
What are the best recipes for beginners to start with?
Some recommendations of recipes for beginners from the How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook include:
- Flour tortillas – Great to build confidence with gluten-free dough
- Easy sandwich bread – Foolproof way to make bread at home
- One-pan pizza – Streamlined method with a crisp gluten-free crust
- No-knead bread – Requires minimal hands-on work
- Cinnamon sugar donuts – Impressive gluten-free treat
Starting with recipes that naturally avoid common pitfalls like dense textures or crumbly doughs can help beginners build skill and understand the techniques.
What are the top tips for success from the cookbook?
The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook shares helpful tips and tricks throughout including:
- Let doughs and batters rest before baking to improve structure
- Freeze unbaked bread and pizza dough to prevent over-proofing
- Adjust hydration if doughs are too dry or wet
- Don’t overmix – mix just until combined
- Prepare cake pans properly to prevent sticking and collapsing
Implementing these simple but effective tips while cooking through the recipes can help ensure success.
Conclusion
With its extensively tested recipes formulated for great gluten-free flavor and textures, the How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook from America’s Test Kitchen stands out as an essential resource for home cooks. Novices and experts alike can find much value in this thoroughly researched and well-explained gluten-free cookbook.
