Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Desserts    4. Courses & Dishes - Pastry    5. International And Ethnic Cookery    6. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft    7. Cooking / Desserts    8. Cooking; desserts; pastries    9. Desserts   

Reviews (5)

A superb "how-to" introduction to Spice Island cuisine
Cradle of Flavor: Home Cooking from the Spice Islands of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore is a compendium of one hundred authentic recipes celebrating Spice Islands cuisine, from Green Mango Sambal and Lemongrass-scented Coconut Rice to Indian-Style Fish Stew with Okra, Javanese Grilled Chicken, Sweet Spiced Mung Bean Porridge, and much more. In addition to the recipes themselves, Cradle of Flavor provides extensive information on obtaining and preparing ingredients that may seem exotic to cooks from outside the Spice Islands, as well as a handful of color photographs. A superb "how-to" introduction to Spice Island cuisine for cooks of all skill and experience levels.

A Delicious Journey along the Ancient Spice Routes
I am not much of a cook, and certainly not of exotic foods that require many spices and shopping in special markets. But I bought this book because I had heard that, apart from recipes, it offers a travelogue and historical glimpse into the mystery and wonder of the ancient "Spice routes," a subject that has always fascinated me. Oseland too is captivated by this mystique and his adventurous spirit also takes him deep into the hills and paddys and homes of the Spice Islnads. We get not only the whiff of history but also perceptive glimpses of modern Indonesia - its religion, politics, social tensions and customs - all boiled down through the experience of individual families around a dinner table of delicious food.
An Inspiring Cookbook
I got this book a few weeks ago and was immediately engrossed by the descriptions of food in the Malay Archipelago.It makes the unknown world of Indonesian and Malaysian cooking approachable.I found the chapter that explains the ingredients very helpful, as were the color photos. (I wish there were even more pictures, though.)Since I've never done any "Spice Islands" cooking before, I figured I'd start with something relatively easy.So I tried the "Sate Ayam" (chicken satay) and it was a big hit with my family.We all thought the flavors were perfectly balanced.The directions for the satay are very clear and walk you through every step.Now I'm ready to try some of the more complex dishes.My only complaint is an esthetic one--I wish the margins were wider and the typeface for the ingredients was less blocky looking.Nonetheless, the cookbook has definitely inspired me.Now I want to go shopping in Chinatown...or better yet, in Indonesia. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, Southeast Asian    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Regional & Ethnic - Asian    5. Regional & Ethnic - Pacific Rim    6. Cooking / Asian   

Reviews (35)

Cleansing diet eliminates food addictions.
The Rice Diet Solution makes this excellent program completely accessible and it is working remarkably well for me. I've been sitting on 60 extra pounds for abut 10 years. Fad dieting brought instant but temporary results once I returned to eating 'normal' foods made addictive by sodium, fats and sugar. Once I accomplishedthe initial cleansing phase of low sodium and no sugar and, most importantly, no processed foods, my addictions vanished and the weight continues to peel off. I lost half of my goal in two months. I now prefer salad to pizza and won't touch meat. I eat three high nutrition, high fiber, fresh meals day, which prohibits hunger and keeps the calories low. The exercise part is easy! I just gave up my car and walk and take public transit. I'm saving money and stopped my daily contributions of packaging and plastic to the landfill. The book is a guideline to a new way of life that continues to nurture my spirit and redefine my presence and participation in the world.

Easy and it works!
In the first few pages you are told everything you need to know to understand the diet part of this plan. Without even finishing the book, I jumped right in and started and immediately started losing weight! It is so simple, easy and FILLING. If you love fresh vegetables and fruit and can curb your sodium intake, you too should see immedialte results. The rest of the book gives you the nutritional explaination of the healthfulness of the plan (as a health care professional this is something important to me) and advice on lifestyle changes such as taking time for yourself. Easy to read and understand and follow.

A real eye opener
The Rice Diet Solution includes hundreds of tasty, filling, easy-to-prepare recipes -- some from the Rice House kitchen, others inspired by major chefs and adapted to Rice Diet standards.The Rice Diet is not just an eating plan. It's a physical, emotional, and spiritual program that will change the way you live, giving you new vitality, energy, and longevity. Ricers report that the Rice Diet not only helps them solve weight problems they've struggled with their whole lives but also teaches them a whole new way of healthier, more mindful living.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery (Rice)    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Diets - General    5. Health & Healing - Weight Control    6. Low Cholesterol - Nutrition And Diet    7. Low Sodium - Nutrition And Diet    8. Reducing diets    9. Specific Ingredients - Rice & Grains    10. Cooking / Dietary   

Reviews (4)

Things are really pass down!!!! Must have book!!!
When I read this cook book I realize how things are just pass down through generations. Regardless if you've been born in this country. The cooking styles are the same and I soon realize how the women in my family cook must of the food that's in this book... This is an amazing book and Thank You too the Chef!!! It just brings back memories....:-))

Soul is the Proper Noun
Having been to Africa, I know a little about the enchantment of at least parts of that vast continent.I admit I love Africa, Africans, and African food. I've looked for a book like this for quite a while and I am not at all diappointed at what I see here.I love the way this book is organized and written, and it is not the recipes alone that have whetted my appetite.The stunning photographs have made me long for a return trip so I can greedily consume the colors and sounds as well as the food of these exotic places.Until then, this book is the next best thing to being there!

outstanding
I am about half way through this book now, an excellent lesson in African food and reference book, as a Certified Executive Chef it is a prize to my library right next to the french laundry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, African    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. International And Ethnic Cookery    5. Regional & Ethnic - African    6. Africa    7. Cooking / General    8. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (10)

I liked it
I had to buy this book for my Quantity Foods course as a part of my Dietetics major. I actually liked the book, and I am going to keep it for later use. I thought the book was organized very well. Some of the charts in Chapter 2 and 5 that we used quite often were a little hard to find (because there are so many!).
Wow!!! A must have for all chefs
I had seen this book at a friends business and thought it was good.Since I have ordered and received it I have had the chance to really review the contents and find it one book that I can use daily.The CD rom is also fantastic in the number of recipes it contains.One nice feature is that you can size the recipes to what you need.Another great plus.Well worth the money. Tom Elliott, CEC

Food For Fifty
Very well written book, leaves nothing for the mind to question,I would highly recomend this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Menus    4. Methods - Canning & Preserving    5. Methods - General    6. Methods - Quantity    7. Quantity cookery    8. Cooking / Culinary Arts & Techniques    9. General cookery    10. Hotel & catering trades   

Reviews (13)

Most interesting food writer since Jean Carper
Almost two decades ago, Jean Carper revolutionized my thinking about food with her well researched book, "The Food Pharmacy," a fascinating treatise on the health-promoting properties of foods.Since then there have been innumerable self-appointed food gurus, most of whom struck me as primarily self-promotional and thin on scientific backing.While I do continue to consider Nina Planck's iconoclastic food theories with the proverbial grain of salt, I think she has done an enormous service for the health-conscious reader by approaching the entire topic of foods, and particularly the controversial issue of dietary fats, with a fresh and relatively unbiased eye.She has assembled an impressive body of research to support her assertions regarding grass-fed meat and dairy products, and touches on many other important topics, such as the importance of Omega-3 fatty acids to the developing fetus.New to me was the research regarding the importance of lauric acid, a key component of coconut oil, as a health-promoting fatty acid.I remain skeptical about a few of her assertions, and I also partially disagree with her largely anecdotal criticism of the vegetarian diet.However, she has opened my mind to some very new approaches to food and nutrition.Additionally, she has brought the sensual pleasure of food back into focus as an integral component of healthy eating.After reading this book, you will believe more than ever the old adage that "You are what you eat" -- you'll just regard what you eat in an entirely new light!

Who knew!
I was looking to learn more about healthy eating and I ran across this book at the library.I was fairly sceptical at first but as I kept reading everything she was saying it all was starting to fit together and make sense.She quotes study after study in her book which helps give foundation to her ideas. The thing that really got me about this book is that it is common sense to eat food in thier more natural "unprocessed" state.We are so used to processed food in this age Nina Planck tells us how to know what traditional foods are and what industrial foods are.If you would like to get information about what you are eating and how it might be affecting you, and how to eat to maximize all nutrients available in your food this book is perfect for you.Also, it is delicious and revitalizing to eat this way!

Food for Thought
I checked this book out of the local library, and after extending the loan twice purchased my own copy on Amazon.It is thought provoking and a little disturbing when you consider how very different today's diet is from fifty years ago.After reading Real Food I talked with my sixty-something year old mother about how her family ate during her childhood.It seems that in gaining convenience and product consistency we have lost character and nutritional value in many foods.I have made some changes in the way I am feeding my family and I do find very real differences in the products I buy at the local rural (farmers')market.Nina Planck is a thoughtful guide toward a different way of eating.A nicely written and informative book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diet/Nutrition    5. Diets - General    6. General    7. Health & Fitness    8. Nutrition    9. Nutrition And Diet    10. United States    11. Health & Fitness / Diets   

Reviews (5)

The Low GI Diet Cookbook:100 Simple,
I did not like most of the recepies that were in the book.They were too exotic for me.A couple of the desert recepies were ok and I did like the color pages that showed the food.

Too many odd spices and ingredients
The recipes in this book look really good.It is a beautiful book. However, too many require unusual spices and ingredients for the ordinary cook. On the other hand, some of the recipes do use everyday ingredients.
The best diet concept

Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Health & Healing - General    4. Health & Healing - Weight Control    5. Cooking / Dietary   

Reviews (12)

Just great¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
The way they explain every step of the recepie , makes it unique and comprensible for profesional or not profesional Pastry lovers

Great!
This is a great book, everything is well explained in detail.
awsome seller
BOOK was more then promised? price was fair and great deal.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Baked products    2. Baking - Confectionery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Pastry    6. Desserts    7. Pastry    8. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft    9. Cooking / Pastry   

Reviews (19)

Easy and tasty
I have only made a few recipes so far- the delicious and easy corn soup, the crispy chicken with the balsamic tomatoes and the smoothies....and the one eyed jacks!She makes the recipes easy to make, simple and homegrown- they are delicious!

Disappointed
Let me preface my review by saying that I'm a vegetarian. I have Sara Foster's first cookbook and absolutely love it. The pages are stained from use and every recipe I prepare is a big hit--scones, cookies, eggplant parm... This book however is lacking in vegetarian options (even sides that can be used as main dishes) and I don't find the desserts or breakfast items as exciting. I would highly recommend her first book however.

A great kitchen companion
I have an addiction to cookbooks, and this one of my top 5 favorite ones.It has wonderful photos and gives great hints on how to make substitutions, short cuts and cooking methods, and the recipes are very easy to follow.I am not one who favors complicated recipes, and while there are a few in this book, they are not so overwhelming that I would not be able to find the ingredients or never attempt to try them.I only hope Sarah and her stores release another book in the years to come! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Foster's Market    5. General    6. Methods - General    7. Cooking / General   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (11)

Good Basics
Teaches basics, it's like a textbook. Useful information that comes with pictures. It's definitely a worth investment for chefs like myself.

Excellent book
I have really benefitted from this book. It was an excellent value for the money.

Garde Manger Culinary Institue of America
The book arrive fast, the problem is your company change my shipping address. It took me two extra day to reiceve it. I was lucky tobe able to pick it up two hours before my class ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery (Cold dishes)    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Methods - Quantity    5. Quantity Food Production And Service    6. Quantity cookery    7. Reference    8. Cooking / Culinary Arts & Techniques    9. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Editorial Review

Rose Levy Beranbaum is a kitchen chemist extraordinaire--this, afterall, is the woman who wrote her master's thesis on the effects of sifting on thequality of yellow cake. In Read more

Reviews (133)

I love this book
I bought this book for myself several years ago. I learned so much because each recipe is a mini lesson with tips for those times when things go wrong. I just bought this book again as a bridal shower gift.

Excellent Book - Unfriendly Layout
Any cookbook edited by Maria Guarnaschelli and graced with a forward by Maida Heatter is bound to be something of value.There are plenty of simple cakes in this impressive volume that can be prepared without much difficulty along with some real showstoppers such as "Blueberry Swan Cake". The book is full of techniques, equipment and ingredient recommendations, ideas and lessons in cake decorating, and is a marvelous general reference work for bakers at all levels of experience.The section entitled "Temperatures and Tests for Sugar Syrup" is invaluable.The "Special Categories" section is also useful for determining which cakes are better made in advance, which are quick to pull together, and which are lower in fat and cholesterol (The author, Rose Beranbaum, is married to a physician). My favorite recipe in the book - one I use regularly, is the Sour Cream Ganache - probably the easiest recipe in the book.Its beauty is in its simplicity and, assuming the quality of chocolate is sublime, transports the palate to an Elysian experience.My only complaint about this otherwise first-rate manual, is the way the recipes are listed in a table format. Beranbaum uses the same format in her other baking books, but somehow I find it unfriendly and unappealing. This is of small importance overall and is a matter of personal preference - some readers may love it.Also, many of the recipes are just variations of others.In the recipe for Lemon Crepes Suzette, the first item on the recipe list is "1 recipe Chantilly Crepes".I find it easier to have each recipe stand on its own without having to go back and forth. It is obvious that this book has stood the test of time - even after 18 years, it is still being published in hardcover.Beranbaum is thorough and passionate without ever being pretentious.

Professional Pastry Chef
I have owned this book for years and have refered back to it many times,the problem is that it becomes very confusing if you try to incorperate her advice in with what you are already doing.It seems that the only way most of her ideas work is if you from start to finish only follow her recipes.And what's with the "Rose factor" any one who has this book knows what I am talking about.There are definitely some great pieces of advice and nice little stories but all in all not my favorite. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cake    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - Cakes    5. Methods - Baking    6. Reference    7. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft    8. Cooking / Cakes   

Reviews (26)

Delicious foodstuffs but not 100% raw
While I certainly agree with previous reviewers that Cornbleet's recipes make some fantastic dishes (I like her chocolate mousse far better than the dairy-laden original), confirmed raw foodists should be forewarned that many of Cornbleet's recipes include non-raw ingredients. While an experienced "rawie" will know, for instance, that maple syrup is not raw, someone new to raw foodism may not. Unfortunately, detailed and informative though Cornbleet's directions and auxiliary information are, she often doesn't identify cooked ingredients when calling for them in recipes. Had she done a better job identifying cooked ingredients and perhaps suggesting raw alternatives, I'd rate this book a 5++ without a doubt. It's a superb transitional book, however, or a great choice for someone such as I've become who merely wants to eat varied raw meals more often.
I love this book!
I started eating raw four months ago, have lost 22 pounds and feel great!Eating raw is a challenge, but this wonderful book really does help to make it easy.I use recipes from it at least a few times a week - the ingredients are readily available, the instructions are simple and the results are delicious!In addition, this book has been a great source of information and inspiration for me in making the switch to a raw diet.I admire Jenny Cornbleet's determination and commitment to helping others learn raw food and hope that she has more raw recipe books in the works!

Raw food cuisine can be intensely flavorful and pleasurable, and fun.
ennifer Cornbleet book: Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People is your guide to quick and easy and inexpensive meals that focus on fruits and vegetables. She provides quick references to all recipes (which are all easy to make and don't rely on obscure foods.) She will also teach you raw food preparation and how to plan menus that take more time planning than they do preparing. (In other words, her recipes are quick and easy to prepare:-)
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery (Natural foods)    2. Cookery for one    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Health & Healing - General    6. Raw foods    7. Vegetarian - General    8. Dietetics & nutrition    9. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (47)

Hilarious........
This book kept me laughing for hours on end. I am from the south and had an occasion to spend 6 months in Greenville, Miss. recently, so having been there, met lots of natives, etc. made it even more comical. While reading the book you can almost hear the accent of the "Southern Ladies" in conversation. Gayden really has a way of turning mundane everyday life in the Delta, into one hilarious situation after another. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and great recipes as well.

A taste of the deep south
I found this such a humorous and, for me, sentimental read. For each incident and character, I have enough life experiences in the deep south to be able relate the tale to characters and events in my past, including seeing ladies examine invitations from an angle to be sure they are engraved ("that beauty-graving is so tacky"). I am going to buy a couple copies for family members who I am sure will love this book as much as I do.

Sorry, but I didn't like it that much
The book was recommended to me by an elderly Southern lady with a great sense of humor, so I had high hopes.
Read more

Subjects:  1. American Regional Cookery    2. American Satire And Humor    3. Cookery, American    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Entertaining - General    6. Etiquette    7. Form - Essays    8. Funeral rites and ceremonies    9. General    10. Humor    11. Regional & Ethnic - American - Southern States    12. Southern States    13. Southern style    14. Cooking / General   

Reviews (4)

great treasure
This is a great treasure.One needs to look at each recipe and try to anticipate how the original plate should have been like.No need to follow the exact instructions as they are only hints.Lot's of fun.

Brilliant, if bulky
High priced absurdity? Hardly. Compared to Adria's or Pierre Gagnaire's texts, Ducasse's tome reminds me of a blown up, bulky version of the French Laundry. There are no foams. There are no overtly experimental techniques; save the odd sous vide recipe.
Serious cooks only need apply -
First and foremost this is a cookbook for serious cooks/chefs. No compromise in the ingredients or the techniques required executing the dishes. The recipes are very detailed and very complicated, and, as with many chef cookbooks, it assumes you know how to cook! Don't be in a hurry to produce the dishes, read many times, absorb the essence/idea of the dish and then you should go!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Methods - Gourmet    4. Regional & Ethnic - French    5. Cooking / French    6. General cookery    7. Reference works   

Reviews (3)

The book that saved my marriage...
So our baby gets up every day at 4:30am, and by dinnertime, I'm ready for bed, too tired to stand let alone cook. My husband, while great at cleaning, is lousy at cooking, so I got a crock pot for my birthday.
Good eating
The recipes presented here are easy to make and very tasty. My family, friends, and I enjoy them immensely.

* Saves Those Who Cannot Cook!! Or Who Don't Want To! *
You cannot go wrong with this book.Many recipes are super simple... you buy five ingredients, throw it in the crockpot and PRESTO CHANG-O RE-ARRANGE-O:YOU HAVE A GREAT MEAL WHEN YOU GET HOME!!!!!!!!I sound corny about this, I know, but you don't know how wonderful it is to do so little and come home to such great, home cooked meals.I hate cooking.I cannot cook.This book is my saving grace.So far my favorite is the Keilbasa Black Bean Soup... hearty, thick, satisfying.Love it!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Methods - Quick & Easy    4. Methods - Special Appliances    5. Cooking / Special Appliances    6. Gadget cookery   

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Regional & Ethnic - English, Scottish & Welsh    4. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    5. Cooking / Italian   

Reviews (20)

A very good reference, especially for beginner
I was lucky enough to find and buy this book back in 1989 when I first begain my wine education.I found the information, and the way it was presented, very easy to follow and very useful.The description and author clearly states that this is an introduction to wine.If your goal is to find out what wines you enjoy vs. becoming a collector, than I will go so far as to say that this book is the only one you will ever need.
Kevin Zraly's disappointing volume
As a guide to wines of the world, this book is really disappointing. Capitalizing on the fame and popularity of the former WTC Windows on the World, it sounded like an excellent bet. Unfortunately, it seems to be just a collection of commentary that might have taken place during evenings of wine samplings, and is completely useless as a reference guide.

Needed more depth...
I found the text lacked detail; probably sufficient for sounding clever at dinner parties, but only at a fairly superficial level of understanding. I suspect it has been aimed at the wine novice. For a more authoritative text, I would go for Hugh Johnson's Wine Companion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY ACTIVITY    5. Cooking / Wine & Spirits    6. JUVY-YOUNG READERS - JUVY-FICT PB YNG RDR    7. Wines   

Editorial Review

Lauren Bacall gets cranky when Barefoot Contessa, an East Hampton specialty food store/institution for more than 20 years, is sold out of Indonesian Ginger Chicken. She can now thank her lucky stars that exuberant owner Ina Garten has written Read more

Reviews (192)

Great Book
This book has some great recipes, very easy and yet the food tastes very sophisticated.The BBQ chicken and potato salad are the best I've ever had.The only negative is that there aren't many beef or pork options and seems a bit more female oriented but overall a good buy.

A classic!
This book has it all--so beautiful, great recipes and Ina's friendly voice. I love cookbooks with photos and this is one of the best! All the recipes that I have tried are wonderful. This is one of my favorite books to give as a gift.

Beautiful cookbook/Easy to use
This book is beautiful to look at; the full-size photos of the dish, the thick, glossy pages, and the additional notes next to the recipes make this a useful addition to any cook's collection.(It would make a perfect gift, too!)Yes, the recipes do call for extra-large eggs but, so what?! Buy a dozen!!I also especially liked the source lists at the end of the book.The recipes I've made all came out really well; there is something for everyone here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Barefoot Contessa (Store)    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Entertaining - Party Planning    6. General    7. Cooking / Entertaining    8. General cookery   

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - General    4. General    5. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    6. Cooking / American / General   

Reviews (27)

You've got to read this book!
I received this book as a gift. There are quite a few books on this subject on the market and this one is the best. I too could not put it down and finished it in 3 days. It's a huge book, a great resource that is well researched and written.. I have a few friends who've purchased this book and really loved it too. I can highly recommend this book.
This food is fabulous!
My husband had bariatric surgery in June.When we arrived at the solid food stage, I was in a panic as to what to cook.Moist low fat and tasty food was quite an order.
100 down and 100 to go
I purchased this book months before my surgery.Once I had my surgery in June, I started going through the book and picking out the recipes that I could have as soon as could eat.This book actually gives you suggestions as to whether or not you should try the recipe depending on what week you are in as well as breakdown of 3 kinds of surgery. I have tried about 20 of the recipes and have loved each of them. I have learned so much from this book.I hope that someone somewhere puts out another cookbook for us post-ops.BTW at 11 weeks post-op I am 100 lbs. down. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Eating    5. Health & Healing - General    6. Health & Healing - Weight Control    7. Healthy Living    8. Obesity    9. Popular works    10. Surgery    11. Weight loss