The Meat Hook: Buy, Butcher, and Cook Your Way to Better Meat

Any meat cookbook coming in the door with an endorsement by Fergus Henderson is going to catch our attention, and Mylan’s stands up to the gimlet-eyed scrutiny of our staff.

The Meat Hook is Mylan’s Brooklyn butcher shop offering locally and sustainably raised meat. And while it isn’t always true that a good butcher is a good cook, Mylan’s first book makes an impressive argument for his kitchen skills and taste.

And as you browse the recipes, it becomes clear why Henderson is so enthusiastic about this book: Mylan seems to appreciate just about every part of the animals he carves up, and for the most part he likes them simply prepared.

There are familiar foods such as ribs and roast turkey here, but more interesting are beef tongue grilled like steak, inside-out chicken pot pie, and cumin lamb stir-fry.

Color photographs throughout. Hardcover.