and I've been anxiously awaiting this beautiful cookbook. Not only is the writing fantastic -- ...
584042
I'm a huge fan of Maureen's blog, Orange Water and Orange Blossoms, and I've been anxiously awaiting this beautiful cookbook. Not only is the writing fantastic -- it's like talking with a new friend who feels like a very old, dear friend, and I was moved to tears on more than one occasion -- the recipes are enticing and I can't wait to try every one. Truly a book to savor, treasure, and use!
742661
This is a beautifully written, historically informative, and fascinating cookbook. The cuisine is unexpectedly unique, a sort of melding of Western European produce, game, and cooking techniques, with spices of the Near, and Middle East. This book will appeal to both the reader of history, and the cook. The foreward had me dreaming of culinary adventures, melded with Renaissance themed feast-parties, and this was before I had even read a recipe! My first recipe venture, spur of the very last moment, was #113 Black-Grape Sauce, tried because I just happened to have a very large bunch of these grapes on hand, and because of the general blandness of the meal I planned to serve my guests (bland at the behest of my picky niece, whose birthday we were about to celebrate!). All of the more daring of palate, were delighted to have something to put on their utterly plain, roast pork, and proclaimed it delicious, including my soon-to-be 23 year old son, who announced after one bite, "Can you make me a big batch of this stuff, to put on the meat I'm grilling for my birthday party?". (I'll be making that batch tomorrow for him!) I highly recommend this cookbook, for it's delicious recipes, and it's wonderful glimpse at a little heard of, or read about, facet of Medieval life. Every recipe is written out in it's original format, then in it's modern variation, with commentary by the authors explaining how they arrived at their adaptations. Some of the ingredients listed are hard to come by, but fortunately for us, less so than upon the cookbook's original publication in 1991. To help you out on your upcoming, Medieval cooking journey, see the list, below. Some of these are pretty pricey, but everything hard to come by is. The list is informational, only, I have not purchased everything mentioned, from every supplier. Have fun!

All online:

Amazon- verjuice, grains of paradise, cubeb pepper, and long pepper
The Spice House- cassia buds and grains of paradise
Temple of Thai- fresh galangal
Salt Traders- cubeb pepper and long pepper
Maggie Beer or Frog Rock Wines- verjuice
3238424
The front cover left something to be desired, but the interior is full of killer pictures, thick pages, and great writing. The way its formatted is excellent too, making it easy to read and flows at a nice pace. The recipes are interesting and inviting. Can't wait to try some of them out for myself.
4704482
Tasting Paris is a gorgeously written and photographed cookbook that will take you through classic and modern Paris. I'm thrilled and excited about this cookbook and plan on cooking my way through it. First of all, the organization: I love how the recipes are arranged into six times of day, including afternoon and early evening, which makes browsing it a lot of fun. The paper is high quality and for anyone frustrated with cookbooks that someone has tried to make too artsy so that they end up unreadable, this cookbook is on white paper with a clear black font. It's easy to read and looks French with the little red box in the corner that tells the name of the recipe. The photographs are stunning and as an owner of so many cookbooks that waste pages showing pictures of spatulas or a sprig of thyme, Tasting Paris is all photographs of the food or of charming slices of Parisian life.

As for the recipes, they are clearly-written, and well-varied with traditional recipes done Clotilde's way such as steak frites, ratatouille, and profiteroles, as well as ethnic recipes from Paris' diverse communities. Many ethnicities are represented--not just North African which is most common in Parisian cookbooks. For example, I'm salivating over the Turkish Lamb Flatbreads (Lahmajoun), and the Chicken Colombo with plantains which represents the Creole communities. Some other recipes that I bookmarked are the Rye & red miso bread, potato chip & chive omelette, Hazelnut-crusted and goat cheese and apple salad, carrot chickpea crepes, and the recipe that I actually dreamed about after I first looked at this cookbook, the Cauliflower Brioche. No, it's not brioche with chunks of cauliflower in it. It's the most unique and intriguing recipe I've seen in a long time!

If that recipe sounds intriguing to you, or you are a Francophile like me, or are traveling to Paris in person or from your armchair, (or kitchen :) you must buy this book!
1697431
This book is gorgeous to behold, and then I opened it.  It's even more beautiful on the inside.  It's written beautifully, it's engaging, and I instantly want to try every recipe.  The photos inside are beautiful, and I feel like a pseudo-herbalist just for having it on my coffee table.  I own a few other herbal books which contain lots of information, but with this book, the author is able to describe each herb so personally and energetically, that I feel like I'm learning about long lost friends I need to keep near and dear.
4789323
This surprising and beautiful book is such a treasure; I've never seen anything like it. I've already spent so much time with it but I feel like it keeps offering more and more -- the poignant, hilarious, and provocative stories, the sometimes delicious, sometimes weird, sometimes inspiring recipes, the gorgeous illustrations...and also the whole idea of the thing of a mix of artists and writers coming together to a table in book form to talk about food, cooking, and eating. What a rich and joyous collection.
3274194
I've just been perusing this book and haven't made a single recipe yet. The stories that Ms. Lewis tells are so interesting and lovely I would have bought this book just for them. I have her cookbook "The Gift of Southern Cooking" written with Scott Peacock and it is one of the best cookbooks I've ever seen. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, that I've made from that book has been excellent! I would highly recommend any cookbook by this talented and fascinating woman.
2043111
Savoring Leavenworth is lovely to look at, lovely to hold (nice size, excellent layout), and I am excitedly anticipating trying all of the recipes included. Fraser's instructions are clear and well-written. The photographs are stunning. The layout makes it very easy to use. The menu and wine pairings are creative. I LOVE cookbooks and and thrilled to add this one to my collection.
3234593
This book is wonderfully written.  The pictures are beautiful....sometimes I leave it open on my kitchen counter for that reason!  Most recipes take some time and planning.  I often make the recipes on a Sunday or if I am preparing ahead for a dinner party.  I love the kale pasta with sauteed red onion and marinated goat cheese.  It is "go-to" recipe.  The pumpkin (kabocha) bread is really yummy.  And let's not forget about the tarts!!! These are truly wonderful desserts.  I have made a few and they are an awesome way to cap off an elegant meal or special occasion.
3883226
Full disclosure: Veronica is a very close friend of mine and I was very, very excited to order this book. The photographs are gorgeous, and I know how difficult it can be to photograph close-ups well, and to make the food look very inviting. The food seemed to jump off the page! The recipes are all for fresh ingredients and whip together very quickly. Vero's writing style is warm, open, and heart-felt. You, too, will feel like one of her friends when she welcomes you into her culinary world with this book.
907848
I was so taken back by this cookbook. IT IS FABULOUS !! Do not hesitate. You will want to make every single thing in it and the story it unfolds just warms my heart. Its beautiful gorgeous photography makes me just want to open it and look at the photos. The recipes are written out so well and so clear and understandable for every level of cook. A delectable delight!
1132192
beautifully photographed cookbook with delicious recipes
562506
Olives, Lemons & Za'atar is not only one of the most beautiful cookbooks that I have recently seen (with its atmospheric on location photographs in Israel and succulent food photography) but is also filled some of the best, authentic Middle Eastern recipes. I am a big fan of Rawia Bishara and her Brooklyn restaurant Tanoreen. And it is a pure cooking pleasure to be able to bring her recipes into my kitchen. I recently served several recipes at a dinner including several of the dips, salads, and the incredible tagine and everything was a hit!  This cookbook is a keeper!
1511120
This book is already my new favorite cookbook! I received an advanced copy of the book as one of Michelle's recipe testers and I cannot wait to dig further into it. The book itself is beautifully laid out. It has easy to follow instructions with gorgeous mouthwatering photos. Helpful hints and notes are a great added touch. I've already ordered several for gifts and I'm sure will order more. My favorite recipes I tested were the Salmon Nuggets (my children cannot get enough) and the Chicken Tortilla Stew (anything in a slow cooker is a great mom-friendly meal). I have my eyes on the Butternut Squash soup with pepitas to make tomorrow and can see this being my inspiration book for meals in 2013. Michelle's background as a Registered Dietitian, Chef and Mother of a spunky youngster, has led her to create recipes that keep our health, taste buds and sanity in mind.
3540337
Joy is the blogger that I have been reading the longest. I never get tired of her style or her recipes. I've never used one of her recipes and been disappointed. Ever.

This cookbook met every expectation that I had for it!!! The pictures are lovely, there are recipes for every occasion. I'll be turning back to it again and again.

Whether you already love Joy or you meeting her for the first time, this cookbook will be one that you love too! There are plenty of fancy looking desserts, but there are also everyday treats that anyone can pull off.

*I received a review copy of this cookbook from the publisher. All thoughts are my own honest opinion!
1447110
My husband gave me this cookbook for my birthday in February, and it was SO worth the wait! I've already cooked the pizza crust and sauce (twice), johnnycakes (twice), turkey meatloaf, spicy garlicky greens (3-4 times), the coconut crusted chicken, and the brownies (3 times). Everything has been wonderful. Not only has the food tasted good, but the recipes actually work like expected, which is saying a lot for "healthy" recipes. I also love the chick pea blondies from the blog and I make them often. I recently made them for house church and no one could tell that I made them with chick peas. All that to say, this cookbook is worth every penny!
3638900
Not only have I tried some of these recipes from Ilona's personal kitchen, and at several of her parties, I have made some myself. They are guaranteed to give you a succulently delicious culinary sensation. It is truly a once in a life time experience not to be missed, especially her lollipop lamb chops and caviar pizza. Get this book immediately. I can't wait for her next cookbook to come out.