Overview
From Pilar Valdes—home cook turned catering entrepreneur, private chef, recipe developer, and senior culinary contributor on The Drew Barrymore Show—comes Shared Plates, her debut solo cookbook about bold flavors, generous cooking and the joy of gathering.
Pilar’s childhood in the Philippines was a master class in communal eating: a lazy Susan at the center of the table, dishes in constant rotation, each bite a mix of flavors, textures and conversation. That spirit, guided by bayanihan, the Filipino tradition of communal generosity, has shaped her cooking ever since—from family meals in Manila to vibrant, shareable feasts in New York, and to the tables of millions watching her on The Drew Barrymore Show—and informs her approach to food as something meant to be passed, layered and enjoyed together.
In Shared Plates, Pilar transforms familiar ingredients into bold, unexpected dishes across more than seventy-five recipes. From crave-worthy Tamarind Pork Ribs with Spice Cabinet Oil and chilled Soba with Savory Granita to punchy Scallops with Almond Milk Aguachile, comforting Cabbage and Plantain Pot Pie, and sunlit Calamansi Almond Cake, these recipes surprise and delight. A pantry of condiments, sauces, and flavor-packed components gives readers the tools to dress up everything from weeknight dinners to festive gatherings. Pilar’s practical guidance and playful techniques make cooking inventive, joyful, and memorable.
Rooted in her immigrant experience, Pilar weaves stories into every dish, showing how flavors and memories intertwine. Shared Plates proves that every meal is a conversation, a story to be experienced together, and a way to create home—recipes to revisit, remember, and cook again and again.
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