Cookbook Review: Dinner in One Take

Dinner in One Take
By Bo Corley

By PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

You may know Bo Corley from his YouTube presence, Bo the Goat TV. A former insurance company executive, now a cooking creator, but we are here to talk about his, “Dinner in One Take” cookbook which I received recently for review.

So, let's uncork it.

The hardbound book is a feast of colorful photos and I noticed he, like Julia Child, offers little helpful hints to guide you to more successful cooking.

However, for me, the first thing grabbing my attention upon cracking the book open was the subtle, yet visible, photo of a whetstone.

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If you are not familiar with that term, it is a rock, as it were, for sharpening knives. There are many utensils for sharpening knives, but seeing the time-tested whetstone was a signal that Bo Corley had insight into cooking in a way familiar to me.

In his own words on YouTube, he admits his favorite way to cook is barbequing, and his favorite meat is beef ribs.

Okay, while I do not eat red meat, those two things really spoke to me on a personal level as my father not only used the whetstone (he referred to as a whetrock) his entire life, but also was a self-taught master when it came to cooking beef ribs in a glowing pit for hours and hours. 

Reading the book by Corley, conjured up treasured memories, but listening to him on YouTube, I respected his overall approach to his craft: Cooking.

I agreed with him when he said, “You must continue to fail, fail, fail until you succeed.”  That philosophy is true about everything in life. But, he went on to say, he wants to be approachable. In other words, if you see him in a grocery store, he wants people to feel comfortable asking him for advice and recipes.

Now, as stated right on the front of his book, the goal is to offer epicurean delights for “Weeknight-friendly meals, that are big on flavor, not time.”

A bonus?

There is a section on cocktails, and I am now obsessed with, Oleo Saccrarum.

Don't know what that is? Neither did I, until now. Oleo Saccharum, translates from Latin to “oily sugar.”Just think, Simple Syrup, and take it up a notch.

Yes, the book is overflowing with delectable looking foods to prepare on a weeknight or weekend, but my focus here is about the small, yet, fascinating extras. 

One tidbit I found intriguing was how to make nonstick cooking spray with only three ingredients: Avocado oil, melted butter and all-purpose flour.

You will also discover Bo's thoughts on cutting boards. Should you ever use plastic? Yes.

 Cooking is more than salt and pepper, so I intend to spend time researching the intriguing spice brand he recommends, Spiceology. He says it, but anyone who cooks with regularity knows, spices make even the blandest of foods perk up.

What about knives? Is it necessary to buy the most expensive, and does it really matter? He guides you, based on your personal needs and lifestyle.

Before you get started on your favorite dish, be sure to peruse all simple smaller recipes to enhance the flavor of your chicken, beef, fish or vegetables.

Only five ingredients, and you can conjure up Caramelized Shallot Butter. The shallot is part of the allium family, a relative of leeks, garlic and onions. Smaller in size, but sweeter in flavor, this butter adds extra zing to veggies or burgers.

There is something for everyone, as the recipes range from; Healthy-ish Dinners, Breakfast for Dinner, Handheld Dinners, Perfect Bites, and, of course, the Beverage Lab.

Our first foray into the recipes in Bo Corley's book is called, Secret Brine Skillet Chicken. It involves onions, pepper, spices, pickle juice, chicken and riced cauliflower. It was delicious, but to get the full recipe, you need to get his book.

Reading the book I discovered his journey was fascinating, as he shared his foray into cooking, and his significant weight-loss. Basically, like in my family as a child and now, cooking should be a shared experience, and this book offers a guide to creating more family memories over sharing food.

To know more, find him online as @bothegoattv. His book is available on Amazon.


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