Gaby Dalkin - Whats Gaby Cooking: Everyday California Food

Editor: Holly Dolce
Designer: Claudia Wu
Production Manager: Denise LaCongo

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017945293

ISBN: 978-1-4197-2894-5
eISBN: 978-1-68335-220-4

Text copyright 2018 Gaby Dalkin
Cover 2018 Abrams
Photography 2018 Matt Armendariz

Published in 2018 by Abrams, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

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Welcome to the Whats Gaby Cooking world, where Im all about living that California Girl life! For me, this sunny slice of heaven is less a state than it is a state of mindwhere the name of the game is tuning into a shinier frequency, working hard but playing harder, and daydreaming about next weekends road trip. Out here we never need much of an excuse to get togetherwere into our toasts, whether theyre topped with avocado (naturally) or clinking glasses of bubbly (obviously). From long-weekend cookouts to outdoor movie nights, ocean-side picnics to birthday brunches, bridal showers to cookbook clubs, for me, theres not really anything that isnt a good excuse for company and an epic spread. Thats why Ive dedicated this book to sharing my favorite recipes for whipping up something fresh, simple, and deliciouswhether its for two or for twenty. Whats Gaby Cooking is all about everyday California food, its your guide for bringing a piece of that West Coast vibe home, even if youre not a bike ride away from the beach.

No matter where you live, you can still apply the same California Girl philosophies, which means keeping things easy and carefree. Its always having something tasty to eat, thanks to handy and delicious pantry staples (coconut oil! quinoa! limes! dark chocolate!), super-fresh market treasures (whether from the grocery store or the farmers market, theres nothing more California than a pop of color from in-season produce), as well as an arsenal of simple recipes (pick a page, any page!). Its having a rotating stock of double-duty sauces and dressings on hand (like Basil Vinaigrette and Lemon and Garlic Hummus) to drizzle, dollop, and dip. And its definitely not spending all day in the kitchen.

If theres anything Ive learned from my time out here, its that perfect is overratedunless youre talking about the perfect day to get outside, breathe in some fresh air, and hang out with friends for a few rounds of ros and whatevers coming off the grill. Can we sometimes be a little nutty about our health? Occasionallywe havent met a smoothie we havent lovedbut well also never say no to a burrito with extra guacamole. Balance is the name of the game, and the same goes for the recipes in this book. While youre nourishing your body with dishes like Green Rice Burrito Bowls, Pesto Broccolini, and Fish Tacos with Pineapple-Mango Salsa, youll always know that a treat like Cinnamon RollChocolate Chip Monkey Bread, orof coursemy favorite, Chocolate Chip Smookies, are only a meal away.

So go ahead, get the girls (and guys) together for a day at the beach, a picnic in the park, or an outdoor pizza party. Spend a post-hike afternoon soaking up the last few hours of sunlight over a fresh, hearty meal you cobbled together from whatever you have on hand. Because whether youre hosting a crowd for a Mexi-Cali fiesta or a couple for Tuesday night dinner, these recipes will help you turn any meal into a special one. From there, the only thing left to do is kick back, make yourself a juice (and by juice I mean a pitcher of California Girl Margaritas, ) and listen for those ocean waves.

There are two key ingredients to being a good cook: 1) confidence, and 2) a well-stocked pantry. Below is a list of items I like to keep on hand at all times so I can whip up most anything in a flash. From condiments and spices to grains and flours, its everything you need to put dinner on the table. Just add fresh produce and protein and youre on your way to a perfect California-inspired meal.

Dry Goods

Grains | Beans | Pasta

Farro

Quinoa

White rice

Brown rice

Black beans

Pinto beans

Pasta (various shapes)

Panko bread crumbs

Regular bread crumbs

Baking Staples

All-purpose flour

Granulated sugar

Oats

Brown sugar

Shredded coconut

Chocolate chips

Dark chocolate

Agave nectar

Cocoa powder

Vanilla extract

Honey

Baking powder

Baking soda

Nonstick baking spray

Nuts + Seeds

Walnuts

Cashews

Almonds

Peanuts

Chia seeds

Almond butter

Peanut butter

Oils

Olive oil

Toasted sesame oil

Coconut oil

Avocado oil

Vegetable oil

Vinegars

Red wine vinegar

Balsamic vinegar

White wine vinegar

Champagne vinegar

Apple cider vinegar

Balsamic glaze

Condiments

Ketchup

Mustard

Mayo

Soy sauce

Sriracha

Tahini

Salt, Herbs, + Spices

Maldon sea salt

Kosher salt

Black peppercorns

Chili powder

Crushed red pepper flakes

Dried oregano

Dried basil

Dried thyme

Garlic powder

Garlic salt

Ground cayenne

Ground cinnamon

Ground cumin

Onion powder

Paprika

Smoked paprika

Pantry Produce

Onions

Garlic

Shallots

Canned or Jarred Goods

Canned beans

Canned tomatoes

Pasta sauce

Castelvetrano olives

Sun-dried tomatoes

Chipotle chiles in adobo

Chicken stock or broth

Nut butters

Tomato paste

Fridge Staples

Milk

Eggs

Almond milk

Butter

Greek yogurt

Cheese

Lemons

Limes

Ginger

Fresh herbs

Seasonal vegetables

Fruits

Tortillas

Im a professional snacker, so when it comes to putting out tasty bites for guests, I know what Im doing. Having bits and bobs to munch on is the most important part of any party because theyre the first thing everyone gets to try, plus its a fun way to get everyone mixing and mingling. Whether its fresh, cold oysters with homemade mignonette; ooey-gooey queso; an epic cheese board; or any salty, sweet, tangy, crunchy, chewy nosh in between, Ive got you officially covered in the appetizer department.