Chow.com has just launched its “Cooks from Books” series, in which senior food editor Jill Santopietro tests a recipe from a recently published cookbook, trying to determine if the authors articulated all the important steps in putting together the dish. It’s a great idea for a video series.

Santopietro starts out simple, with a strip steak and caramelized shallots recipe from the Bromberg Brothers‘ Blue Ribbon cookbook. And yet: Despite the sheer simplicity of the recipe, Santopietro discovers a missing step. An important one, I’d dare say.

Yet more evidence that good editors play a vital role in cookbook publishing.

Video courtesy of Chow.com