There is something so wonderful about opening a brand new cookbook. One of my favorite moments is when you crack the binding and open to the first glorious page. In that moment, you know that amazing things lie in your culinary future. New methods and ingredients will be introduced. Flavors will enter your kitchen, bringing the cookbook author to your dining room table in one way or another. This is the experience of paging through a truly wonderful cookbook. At least for some crazy people like myself…

David Chang of Momofuku in New York City has caused quite a stir. With the buzz about his restaurant success, a couple features in Food & Wine Magazine, and many other mentions in the world of food, I have become familiar with his work and appreciative of his great talent. However, reading the stories within his cookbook brought my understanding to a whole new level. Not only has he had experiences throughout his life that would make a great story on their own, he has been able to attach those stories to the food he makes. I love his writing style and I love the recipes David has so openly shared with the rest of the world. With the help of Peter Meehan, the Momofuku Cookbook has become a fast favorite of many, including myself.

My first experience with the Momofuku Cookbook happened to be this recipe for Pan-Roasted Asparagus, Poached Egg & Miso Butter. The idea of miso butter was something I was immediately drawn to.

Um, miso paste + butter = AMAZING. For the record.

The combination of colors, textures and luxurious flavors on the plate work together to produce an elegant and innovative experience. Not to mention being just plain fun! I am very anxious to try even more recipes from this book of genius. There are so many wonderful flavors to try and stories of David’s to reenact through cooking. If you haven’t purchased this book, you must. Besides, I’m not sharing the recipe for this because I want you to buy the book so badly!

Here is a link to Amazon.com if you are interested in ordering the Momofuku Cookbook (and believe me, you are interested.)