Yesterday we had the chance to steal away to Durango. We were able to stock up on dog biscuits, paper towels, and a bottle of Del Maguey Mezcal. We also rummaged through several used bookstores, looking to uncover a few hidden gems. It is a good thing we did, for Aki found me another copy of Cutting Up In the Kitchen by Merle Ellis. This book is a hands-on guide for getting the most out of your meat. It covers the basics and the obscure. It answers questions. It should be on everyone’s bookshelf. OK, at least everyone who is interested in meat, the variety of cuts, and how to utilize most everything from an animal. The other reason I mention this book is that now I have two copies. That means someone is going to be receiving a copy of this book from us in the near future. The only question is why? Stay tuned for how you can win a true cornerstone to your culinary collection.