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> why the recipe is exciting, and where it comes from, and what it means for the cook

I know you mean this as a joke, but many cooking books are like that, and I for one value knowing the history (and science, as in "The Food Lab", highly recommended) of what I'm cooking or eating

> They should ... explain the narrative of why the recipe is exciting, and where it comes from, and what it means for the cook.

You've just described practically any modern recipe website.

I think that's the joke.

As other user commented, cooking books meant to be read rather than used as reference material are actually written like that.

Makes me wonder if that's the difference, do people not check math papers unless they are specifically interested in that very proof or such?