I admit I’m biased about Anne Burrell so before I review her cookbook, I need to be honest about My daughter’s obsession with all things Anne Burrell.

My daughter happens to have a great deal of physical problems and we rescheduled a visit to Johns Hopkins Hospital to visit with her surgeon to be able to have Anne Burrell sign my daughter’s cookbook.  Upon waiting in line for hours, what does my daughter do?  Bursts into tears so that she couldn’t say a word to Anne Burrell.  Cookbook $27.99, moment with Anne Burrell, priceless.

With that in mind, I will do the best I can to review this cookbook objectively, but I admit to a strong bias.

I breezed through the recipes in Cook Like A Rock Star while waiting in line to see Anne Burrell at Williams Sonoma.  On first glance, I thought it was another Italian cookbook with high end ingredients which would require a lot of work (a Mario Batali spinoff – since he does write the foreword).  I was pleasantly surprised to note that while you can feel Mario’s inspiration in this cookbook, Anne definitely has a mind of her own and this cookbook is all her.

While this cookbook would strain my 24 year old son’s budget (with items such as Figs stuffed with gorgonzola & walnuts or Rockin’ Porchetta with fall veggies,) there are some items he could afford such as Rosemary & Lemon Roasted Chicken or Halibut in paper.  The thing to note is that this cookbook was not intended for the beginning cook.  I think this cookbook is good for all ages but really hits all us 40 or 50 something year old cooks who yearn for something creative and different to try.  Some are old standbys (rack of lamb or rib eye) and some are new (Taliolini with Salsa Cruda and Ricotta Salata).

I have tried several recipes; the Pasta Fagoli, Risotto without a recipe, Dry Rubbed Bone In Rib Eye and Braised Lamb Shanks.  All were excellent.   I will make all four recipes for my family again.  I am looking forward to trying the Rack of Lamb crusted with black olives.

Most of the recipes in Cook Like a Rock Star are not Wednesday night – get home from work – and whip them up style recipes.   They are Sunday afternoon, drink a glass of wine – with good music – while prepping – type of recipes.  While a lot of these recipes might not be your cup of tea (say the Duck Breast), if you haven’t yet learned to make pasta at home, there is a very good recipe for basic pasta in this cookbook – along with Anne’s technique for making pasta.

I am forgetting Anne Burrell herself.  She adds her feelings and musings on mise en place (prep), tasting as you go, pantry items and many other culinary virtues.  She is funny, but crisp, which also makes this an easy to read cookbook.

Since I have a large collection of cookbooks, I am always looking for a cookbook that is different and challenges me to strive for a higher calling in the kitchen – Cook Like A Rock Star is all of that.  I believe everyone who strives to be a better cook should have this cookbook in their library to have for that special someone who you want to wow!