A Must for Carolinian Cooks
598950
If you are from South Carolina and you love southern cooking, then you should have The Carolina Housewife in your kitchen. It is fascinating to learn what SCarolinians were eating in the nineteenth century. Spend an  evening in the past having a nineteenth-century meal! Learn how to make  your own mayonnaise, ginger beer, hommony, etc. The University of South  Carolina Press should be commended for keeping this book in print. Perhaps  they will consider a paperback edition in the future.
3963817
This is a fantastic cookbook.  Not only are the recipes good, but there's a further two pronged approach: 1) a history of the item and 2) Chef Ron Lock's experience in cooking the recipe.  I haven't tried them all yet, but the one I have are delicious.  I can't wait for the next edition to come out, Chef Ron Lock's "Get Cookin'" is a wonderful addition to any cookbook library.
1538126
I was born and raised in Jamaica until I was 13 and learned to cook from my mother and grandmother.  I gave this book as Christmas presents to a few friends who love my cooking and wanted to know how to make many of my native dishes.  I found this book years ago when 1st published.  After reading the receipes I knew it was the right one because it sounded much like my mother and grandmother teaching me in the kitchen years ago.  I've tested a few of the recipes that I didn't learn and they tasted like I remember eating....LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT.  A MUST BUY.
4851952
The best cook book I have purchased.  If you love the south, Charleston, or want to try some great new recipes you should get this book.  The benne wafer and pimento cheese recipes are simply delicious or you can be more adventuresome with the Charleston Crabcakes or Hummingbird cake. The restaurants that serve up these famous dishes  were kind to handover their secrets; but the book makes you want to see what else is on their menu. I live in the north but get to enjoy the south from home now.
512496
This is an EXCELLENT taste of the south.  The dishes are delicious and quick to prepare.  This book will be a staple in our kitchen - I have bought several to give as gifts!
1864509
Have not seen the PBS show that this cookbook is matched with.  Purchased this as interested in tapas and Spanish cuisine, and because Andres is such well known Spanish chef and is interested in his cuisine being utilized in American context, as the subtitle of this work exhibits.

These are not that difficult in either technique, and the specialized ingredients are given sources that one can pursue, e.g. Spanish cheeses, olive oils, rices, etc.  Igourmet is also a good source I have found, as are the increasing number of specialty gourmet food markets such as Trader Joe's.

Clarkson Potter seems to always turn out a great cookbook, and this fits right in their mold.  Great full-page, full-color photos highlight the entrees, and the ingredients and instructions are clean, clear and usable.  Jose also lists tips with each, such as substitutions, technique helps, etc.

They are organized as the show, on certain regions of the country and their cuisine.  The two tried so far were exceptional, Tomato toast with Garrotxa cheese, and the Lobster and mushroom paella.

I truly find this food compelling, as it is light, healthy and inviting all at the same time.  Will be trying many of these in the future, e.g. Traditional basque stew of tuna, poatatoes, pepper and onions, and Pork Meatballs with squid.  Many who are really into Mediterranean cooking are becoming more and more enamored with this country's rising popularity, as Mario Batali's example provides.
3974135
I have just about every cookbook related to jams, jelly, preserves and etc., that has been published in the past twenty years or so, in addition to some "vintage" ones I have come across over the many years I have been canning.

This one has some excellent recipes that are not the usual fare as well as some short cuts that make the tasks much easier.
The author doesn't assume that one knows the basics (as do some other books) and explains the reasons that require specific steps.
A very good book for the novice and intermediate cooks who want to expand their range.
4626968
Excellent, easy to read recipe favorites from Charleston, SC. Traditional favorites, from she-crab soup to shrimp creole can be found in this book, however my favorite is the CSO League's Broccoli Salad. Many recipes are suitable for entertaining; ie: buffets. Illustrations are of Charleston scenery and cultural history with outstanding photography.
2733743
I like this book. For the recipes (many of which I use) and descriptions and photos of small town food festivals using regional and seasonal ingredients.

Many of the ingredients are indigenous to local areas or states as well. From Swamp Cabbage in Florida to Fiddleheads in Maine. I got a great tip about using liquid smoke in a BBQ brisket recipe out of a Festival in Texas. The recipes include the "local favorites" as well as more gourmet adaptations. Obviously, there are many local and regional ingredients that would be hard to source in other areas of the country (Even in Florida, you can't find "swamp cabbage" in any grocery store, you have to go out and harvest it yourself! For those wondering, "swamp cabbage" is the heart of a young cabbage palm tree)). However, there are plenty of fun recipes that we be do-able no matter where you are.

Thanks for reading, I hope this review is helpful!
2868279
I really can see myself getting a lot of use out of this cookbook. I received it as an advanced readers copy for an honest review. There are so many recipes that you would find at a cookout or potluck party in the south. I am not from the south and have only lived in the south for about a year but have asked people for many of these recipes. It's great for trying regional cuisine. Would be a fun gift for foodies in other parts of the country too.
323656
This cookbook/ story book is a must have for every southern cook's shelf. It is a testament to the creativity often necessitated by circumstances. We all know that feeding a family well without spending a lot of money is on every good cook's mind, and is the pride of generations of southern cooks. This bible is definitive in the regional and cultural aspects that produce authentic southern cooking. Not only do you get great recipes for corn bread, but recipes for meals that are delicious and 'down home' good. Interspersed with the recipes are delightful stories of family, reflecting the close relationships people long for in the modern world.
2593584
I was curious about this cookbook, so I got in touch with the author - Ron Douglas. He began putting together his collection with a web site RecipeSecrets.com and then self published this book and a follow up.

After talking with Ron, I got his books. They are really great. There are recipes to make things like Boston Market Macaroni and Cheese, KFC Honey BBQ wings, and Applebee's Baby Back Ribs. These recipes are developed and then tested out on the web site, so they are very close to the real thing.

The recipe book is small and has around 100 restaurant recipes. There aren't any photos, but these are dishes most people would know from eating out.

I've been enjoying making some of my favorite dishes from restaurants. I showed the cookbook to my Mom, and she wants to try out some dishes too. Many of them are Southern favorites. I asked Ron about that. He is from New York. His Grandma grew up in the South, so that's how he came to especially like Southern cooking.
3788747
Mrs. Sanders has written a wonderful cookbook about the many meals she serves as the wife of President Sanders at the College of Charleston.  Her insights and quick, creative recipes make entertaining the South Carolina  way much more fun. The book, which was printed to fund College of  Charleston scholarships, is a must have for any serious entertainer.  I  reccommend it for those interested in Charleston style and for any parent,  student, alumni, or friend of the College of Charleston. It's a great way  to get entertaining tips as well as help fund higher education.
2996608
Bill Neal really 'nailed' the genre of southern cookery. A lot of the recipes remind me of my grandmother's cooking. She was from a southern family that primarily cooked from their truck garden and with the hogs & chickens raised on their farm. For those the least interested in southern cooked food; this is the best I've found.
4816626
This book is awesome.  The receipes put together things that you would never think of and have unusual ingredients but are things people in the South are familiar with.  The best part is the background and stories that go with each section.  Could not put it down.  It's not just a reference but
an incredibly entertaining book as well.  Even if you don't cook you will enjoy this book especially if you have any familiarity with Eastern NC.
1403744
I really like this book. I like how it is written with the explanations of the peppers and other ingredients. I especially like the Carnitas and salsa recipes. This book is a must for authentic Mexican cooking. Highly recommend.
2486160
This book is one of a series that started in 1979 and consists of recipes submitted by readers of Southern Living magazine.  The recipes range from excellant to not so good.  They mostly use ingredients that are easy to find and are not hard to prepare.  I feel the entire series  belongs in every cooks kitchen.