A Charmingly Written Cookbook
589646
"The Glorious Soups and Stews of Italy" is a beautifully written and produced cookbook that goes beyond mere recipes. Ms. Marchetti includes numerous anecdotes that make it a pleasure to read, and Mr. Meppem's excellent photographs make one's mouth water. The recipes are written clearly and in detail. Those we have tried so far have been very good indeed. Clearly the author has an extensive background in Italian cuisine.

Highly recommended.
1455931
The author writes with charm as well as from first hand experience. This cookbook can be enjoyed by outdoorsman and campers as well as anyone interested in cooking good food!
3230681
This is the kind of cookbook I love to peruse on cold, blustery days.  The author, Marte Marie Forsberg, gives us a mix of lovely stories, photographs, and a book full of recipes from her Norwegian childhood, her now English home, and her travels.

The recipes are divided by seasons as well as an additional chapter called Afternoon Tea.  Each chapter opens with the author sharing stories that I found very interesting.  Each recipe also contains the short story behind it.

The photographs bring one in to the beautiful English landscape where the author now makes her home.  I have a few recipes already marked to try very soon, the first being what she calls "Her Mother's Ode to Cabbage" (called Creamy Cabbage Stew in the Index).  For my mother also loved cabbage.

The Cottage Kitchen was provided by Blogging For Books for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.
585971
This is less a cookbook, more a series of introductory lectures on how to cook.  Colicchio is a thoughtful and compassionate educator, concerned for the reader to really understand why he does what he does, and there is a warm intimacy to the book that makes it a pleasure to read from cover to cover.  Colicchio is adamant about explaining a variety of basic techniques before offering recipes to readers, and it really inspires confidence that anyone who dedicates a little time and effort can create flavorful hearty dishes.  I'm not completely familiar with French cuisine, but most of the techniques and dishes in this book seem consistent with the classical French cooking that I've seen on Top Chef - Colicchio uses a lot of seasonal local vegetables and buttery sauces with French names, and the food all looks delicious.

A reader in need of a wow factor for a dinner party will not likely find a lot of satisfaction here, since the focus is on simple foods done to perfection, not so much exotic ingredients or flashy presentations, and many of the recipes will need to be adapted for readers who don't like artichokes or mushrooms (I include myself), but I highly recommend this book for any home cook who wants to elevate his or her level of professionalism when it comes to preparing delicious meals for long evenings with friends and family.  I look forward to many evenings with a few friends and the lessons from this book.
2860071
This is a charming book with not only recipes for smaller quantities, but good tips for making your own combinations.
3251724
Sometimes looking at a cookbook, I feel I have to be a culinary expert just to be able to understand and execute the simplest recipe. When I picked up Six Sisters' STUFF, I was delighted to find not only yummy recipes, but practical and easy instructions even a novice cook like me can follow.

The recipes aren't complicated and use canned and packaged ingredients. That way more time is spend with the family than in the kitchen cooking. However, if you want to go into more detail, many of the recipes also include instructions for ingredients made from scratch rather than a box or can. Though simple in preparation, the recipes are packed with great taste and easy to prepare for families on the go.

The cookbook is divided into three sections: Recipes, Crafts, And So Much More. In the Recipe section the categories are broken into Main Dishes, Slow Cooker, Sides, Salads, Breads and Desserts.

The Slow Cooker section has recipes for everything from Melt-in-Your-Mouth Slow Cooker Pot Roast to Slow Cooker Hot Fudge Brownies. Having only used the slow cooker for roast, beans and soup, I decided to try the Creamy Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes recipe. It was simple, easy and best of all - tender and delicious. Even the clean up wasn't bad. I'm looking forward to trying the brownies next.

Woven among the recipes are fun and inexpensive crafts ideas, as well as helpful hints and tips. The crafts include such things as an Easy Monster Sock Puppet to a neat Ultimate Kid Wash that will have grownups wanting to play. The hints and tips feature such items as a spring cleaning checklist, fun family activities and even 50 fun date ideas for the adults.

Six Sisters' STUFF would make an ideal gift for a bride, a nice housewarming gift or a fun surprise for anyone who enjoys cooking. The fact that it is compiled by six sisters (Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren, and Kendra) gives it an extra appeal to me. This debut cookbook evolved from the sisters' blog that began in February 2011. Living in different parts of the country, the sisters used the blog to stay in touch, share ideas and express their love to cook, craft and create.

This is a fun cookbook filled with almost 100 delicious recipes designed to give families more time together at the table. The recipes are easy and nutritious. The extra crafts and more are designed with creating family fun in mind.

FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this book as part of the Six Sisters' Tour and it was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
3618077
A wonderfully creative cook book! I love learning the history behind the recipes. The illustrations are charming and whimsical. The anecdotal writing is witty and the recipes are simple yet satisfying for the soul! Buy this book to enjoy the journey!
660929
The recipes are clearly written.  The book is well organized.
3426944
I love this book, and am busy cooking my way through it.  The photos are spectacular, but more importantly, each recipe is clearly written and consistently produce lovely, flavorful, delicious results.
4474465
A beautiful cookbook, full of great (and time-tested) recipes, aesthetically lovely, easy to read and follow. Plus, it paints a wonderful picture of the group friendship among the authors and how they have lived life together.
315952
A beautifully written cookbook where, detailed in the opening pages, the author Anya Fernald shares her background and her passion for cooking.

Fernald cooks with gusto and heart. She's worked with farmers, home cooks and understands the frugalness that is often required in cooking in rural parts of Italy. And with all this knowledge, she's crafted a book filled with easy to follow, simple, rustic recipes.

As an avid cook, I devoured (pun intentional) with enthusiasm. Whilst some may find the book a little 'wordy', I liked the opening gambit before each recipe because it gave a sense of familiarity as well useful hints and tips. Divided in to inviting chapters - 'Building Blocks', 'Welcome', 'Take a Seat', and 'Stay a While', Fernald takes you on a culinary journey to creating balanced, nutritious, home cooked meals for both every day and special dinners.

There were so many recipes that I wanted to try but figured I wouldn't be able to review the book in a timely manner, so pared it down to three. The first one that I tried was Sofritto - a combination of onions, carrots and celery - but never thought to caramelize it. It added a lovely depth of flavor to the Bolognese that I cooked.

I then tried the Blistered Green Beans and again another straight forward recipe but one I didn't think to do - roasting beans? The beans were so tasty and made such a difference from the usual blanching.

Finally, I did the buttermilk biscuits. But I did cheat somewhat and not make my own buttermilk. (Fernald explains how to do this). Whilst there are many favored buttermilk biscuits out there, the difference here or rather key to being different, is to make your own buttermilk.

Overall, I found the methods easy to follow and ingredients easy to find. There may be some more exclusive things like hazelnut flour or obtaining beef bones to make your own broth but I think the point of this cookery book is to be aware of the basics, learn them and your food will become more flavorful. What I look for in a cookbook is its adaptability and I think there are many recipes in which I can tweak to my liking and not affect its essence.

A highly recommended read that will lead to cooking.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.
1470835
When the author offered me a copy of her cookbook, I said Yes with no hesitation based on the backstory: Lee Clayton Roper had worked with her mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer's, to record the family's favorite recipes. How could I not respond with, "Heck yeah!"? I'm very glad I hurried to give her my address, because this is a very nice cookbook.

It's hard to categorize A Well-Seasoned Kitchen. This certainly isn't an "ethnic" cookbook, though you'll find plenty of ethnic- and regionally-inspired dishes, from "Genuine Derby Day Mint Juleps" to "Gazpacho Blanco." While it's billed as a cookbook for entertaining and dinner parties, I think it's equally useful for general family cooking, even for not-in-a-rush weeknight dinners. You might be drawn to "grilled chicken with lime-green chile sauce" or "baked shrimp with tomato, feta cheese, and capers."

Basically, this is a collection of recipes from a very good home cook -- the sort of mom who invested a lot of time and love in the kitchen. There's plenty of "usual suspects" with a twist, or at least with "This is how OUR family liked it," such as a chile relleno casserole or (this one's on my upcoming menu:) grilled pork tenderloin with ginger couscous. Few of the recipes will knock your socks off... but in a way, that's what's appealing about this cookbook. You'll find plenty of inspiration to make "comfortable" foods but perhaps in a way that will surprise your family (but not freak out the kids). The writing is generally good, too; most recipes have a "make ahead" section so you can simplify your life.

I have only a few quibbles, both of which are production issues. The photos are well staged, but despite the author's pride that none of the photos were enhanced in any way... well, they needed a pass through PhotoShop. Many of them have a green or yellow cast that makes the dishes a little less appealing than they should be. But obviously this is a minor issue, as is the choice of heading colors. The idea was obviously to make it easy to find cookbook sections (light blue for desserts, gold for vegetables) but some are difficult to read in not-quite-great lighting.

Overall, however, this is a very nice cookbook. It doesn't deserve a spot on my "you will pry it out of my cold dead hands" cookbook shelf, but I'm quite glad to have it.
4792982
As a long-time follower of the Smitten Kitchen blog, I was thrilled when Deb announced that she was making a cookbook.  I waited impatiently for word on its availability, until just before this Christmas when I realized it had been released.  I added it to my Christmas list and was so excited to receive it as a gift.  I have always loved Deb's writing style - she writes creatively, but also with personality, which makes her cookbook stand out from others.  I was pleased to see that the majority of the recipes (all but 15 or so!) were not simply taken from her website (*ahem* Pioneer Woman), but were created especially for the book.  Photographs were beautiful, as expected.  Recipes are mouth-watering and I've already picked three of them to make for dinner this week!

The only con?  As much of a sweets lover that I am, I found that between one third to one half of the book is sweet recipes.  I'd have preferred more entree recipes, myself.  Nonetheless, I still love the book and plan to use it often.
2848837
I had the privilege to meet Maria Baker, the author, herself at a convention about 10 years ago.  She wrote this cookbook with much thought and from the point of view of someone who loves to cook, and it shows.  The recipes are clear and easy to understand, and most of the ingredients are common and easy to find.  She includes common equivalents and explanations for herbs and spices.  You can tell this was written by someone who LOVES to cook!  This little gem is wonderful addition to my bookshelf!
1132192
beautifully photographed cookbook with delicious recipes
2846917
This cookbook is beautiful and well-written.  I have not made any of the recipes, but I have incorporated some of the cultural information into my classroom (toasts and tea drinking sections).  I am a professor of Russian language, literature, and culture and I incorporate food culture into my courses.  Indeed the recipes do not seem to be easy--few Eastern European recipes are.  If one wants easier recipes, one might want to check out "Please to the Table," but this is an absolutely lovely book and the charts really explain the history of everyday life to those not raised in in the USSR.  I have never been to Portland, but now I'm even more eager to go as I'd love to go to Kachka.  My one issue: I eat neither meat nor a lot of sugar, so I will need to modify many of the recipes to use the cookbook for its recipes.  Most Slavic recipes are quite heavy on meat, but this cookbook seems to be even heavier on meat than usual.  I plan to try out the cauliflower recipe as soon as the semester is over--I'll come back to edit this review as soon as I've done that--I've only had the cookbook a week and a half, but I've really been enjoying the narratives.
2756011
I really like this book. It's very charming and has quite nice artwork. I bought it for a gift and not for myself, but I have tried the Strawberries and Cream Ice Cream and it turned out very well. Twice. 8)

 If you have an older Kindle, I would get the hardback, just because of the colors. If you have a Kindle Fire, which I don't, it should work really well on that. I have considered getting the Kindle edition for myself, as I could at least view it in color in the Cloud, but there are quite a few of the recipes that I can't do due to dietary restrictions-however, those recipes look fine, and a few of them, I could adapt, such as leaving out the chocolate sandwich cookies in the Cookies Au Lait Ice Cream.

The recipes are well-written and clearly explained. There are inventive recipes, but nothing too weird. The "Breakfast Trash" (made with cereal), the "No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bread" ( sweet cream ice cream with cream cheese then Monkey Bread folded in), and Bananamon-banana cinnamon ice cream all sound really good.