Books like The Best Make-Ahead Recipe

Eight months ago I purchased fifteen pounds of ground beef for about nine dollars at a supermarket Grand Opening down the way. I was packing it up to freeze, when a thought came sliding by: “You know…If I bunch this up just right, I could have sex with this meat.” And so, if cooking has become my outlet for the pursuit of new sensual experience, then this book is my Kama Sutra. Which is to say, not everything is workable, some of it is over my head or requires too many professional implements; however, it is a tremendous resource for exploring proven methods and branching out into new areas. (Did I take the metaphor too far?).On Page 302 There is a Recipe – Red Onion Jam Stuffed Pork Chops w/ Port, Pecans, and Dried Fruit. I became obsessed with getting it just right. Five hours, two trips to the store, and a destroyed kitchen later, I was ready to treat myself to the most impressive cullinary display I've ever been able to produce. And while the meal did not settle calmly, I have no regrets. Reaching back through time, and all the tasty quarters of my memory, I think this was the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted. I know, I know, but I’m no fan of hyperbole; this is the simple truth of it. Serves four?...My Ass! Serves Me! Tonight!I ate my belly balloon tight. I ate myself sick. I kept thinking, “I should save some of this for later, for when I’m hungry again and can enjoy it more.” And then, “Fuck it, I’ll have another.” Pretty soon the pan was empty, and I was questioning my own existence. Was life going to get any better than this moment?If there’s a fatty in me this book will bring him out. They teach you economy of action, and explain the how and why of a recipe. This is fantastic, because they save you so much of the trial and error that is typically required before perfecting a standout dish. It will help with simple things too, like mashed potatoes, where all variations are explored and then key suggestions made. Sometimes their dead ends will sound delicious to you and lead to a preferable permutation. I even like the long anecdotal lead-ins, am comforted by hearing how others have pushed through their mistakes and triumphed.I'll mention again that many of the recipes are fairly complex, and beyond the capacity of my meager kitchen and meager budget. That said, it's on the level that aspire I to...like with the Kama Sutra.