Reviews (3)

For the professional, or near-professional
Contents: cakes and tarts(including orange/tea charlotte, red fruit charlotte, passionfruit/cocount cake, raspberry tart, canneles, banana cake, apple tart, chocolate napoleons, almond milk chocolate cake, and so on). Plated desserts, and chocolate candies.Also, Bau gives his philosophies of desserts. Inspirational book, but not for the average cook
The is aboslutely the best pastry and chocolate book I have seen, with incredible recipes and photographs. However, you need to be petty experienced to understand the recipes, which are a bit vague, temperatures given in Centigrade, sometimes not the best translation from French, etc. The book gets knocked down one star for being very unclear on how much each recipe makes, a real issue for the home cook, if not the professional.

excellence, outstanding and the finest......
it is one of the BEST pastry book in the world market now. As a proffesional point of view. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Desserts    2. Pastry   

Editorial Review

There are thousands of cookie recipes out there already, and probably hundreds of cookie recipe books. What makes Read more

Reviews (15)

Yum!
So far I love this book!The recipes I have tried are really good - the other reviewers are right about the chocolate chip cookies. I spent several evenings just perusing the book before I made anything because there's quite a variety and most of them sound really good. It's nice to have so many recipes in one place. My only very minor complaints are that there aren't enough pictures and that for someone who doesn't like coconut or walnuts in cookies, there seem to be a lot of recipes with them.I'd like for the author to indicate when nuts are optional, but I guess I'll figure that out on my own.The chocolate chip cookies were awesome even without the nuts and without any adjustment to the recipe.

True to its title
I had originally seen this book at the library and loved it. Had many recipes that you just won't find in regular books. Recipes are easy to follow and in most cases use ingredients most people keep on hand. Especially recomend the glazed lemon-poppy seed hearts. Cut them as stars for Christmas.

The Best Cookies ever!
The Good Cookie is the best cookbook I own because every recipe I have tried has been fantastic!(I agree with another reviewer - the chocolate chip cookie recipe is the best ever; I just made another batch today).There is a marvellously wide range of types (bar, refrigerator, decorator, drop, cut-out, etc) and flavors.And there are even cookies from around the world, from fortune cookies to hamentaschen to biscotti (several flavors) to ANZAC cookies to various British cookies.The recipe layout is visually pleasing and easy to follow.There are several pages of color photos to get your saliva glands and desire to bake really going.And every cookie I have tried has been perfectly delectable.I really love this cookbook and couldn't give it enough praise.Comprehensive, easy to use, nice to look at, and delicious.It is the best cookbook I've ever bought! ... Read more

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

Reviews (3)

Fun book, good collection of recipes, but nothing astonishing
When I grew up in New York, Serendipity was a special occasion destination. I only went there a couple of times, but -- like everyone else -- I fell in love with the "frozen hot chocolate," the funky ambiance, and the eclectic gift shop. (They had pet rocks for sale before it became a fad. For all I know, the fad _started_ at the restaurant.) So I was primed to enjoy Serendipity's cookbook.
AMAZING!
I am an avid dessert person--I judge restaurants cookbooks etc. all based on the desserts, and this one definitely 'takes the cake' the recipes are easy--the food outstanding. Highly recommend!

Famous NY Dessert Hangout Goes Cookbookish
I love to read intros to good cookbooks, they reveal what one will find therein.This one is no exception.It was begun as an exception: new concept of fun, indulgent dessert hangout within gift shop botique, with high class.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Desserts    4. Regional & Ethnic - American - Middle Atlantic States    5. Cooking / General   

Reviews (5)

Easy and Delicious
This cookbook is easy to follow, offers a variety of breakfast and brunch items.The pictures are a plus!I highly recommend this book for those of you who love Sunday morning feasts.

Great
The Culinary Institute of America presents "Breakfasts and Brunches"!The world-renowned culinary college with numerous cookbooks under the belt has now tackled my favorite meal(s): breakfast and brunch!
www.valderbeebeshow.com
Sunday morning brunch has been a part of my marriage for almost twenty years, and Breakfast and Brunches brings new energy to the meals we create.Be inspired by Crepes Suzettes (p.130) or Banana Nut Loaf (p.47).Start new traditions for breakfast and brunch! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Breakfasts    2. Cookery, American    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Breakfast    6. Courses & Dishes - Brunch    7. General    8. General cookery   

Reviews (15)

Best Lemon Squares
This book has the world's best recipe for Lemon Squares.Most lemon squares are not tart enough - and not very "lemony".This recipe bursts with lemon flavor and it makes your mouth pucker!Also, it's a large recipe - enough for a crowd or family gathering.Gingerbread and Drunken Chocolate Cake are also excellent.

nice niche on desserts using dairy products
I felt fortunate being able to borrow this book as it is no longer affordable to purchase and it was well worth the look. Stars Desserts
AS a New pastry chef 8 years ago I came across this book... I used it soooo much in so many recipes the book binding fell off and the book was lost.I cannot wait to get another copy of this book. it is excellent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - Desserts    5. Desserts    6. Stars (Restaurant : San Franci    7. Stars (Restaurant : San Francisco, Calif.)    8. Stars (Restaurant: San Francis   

Editorial Review

Ken Haedrich's Read more

Reviews (7)

Great Recipes!
I originally borrowed this book from our local library. I liked it so much, I bought 2, one for me & one for my sister who has 2 apple trees!

Like apples? Like baking? Buy this book!
Ever wanted to know why you have to punch steam vents in your crust? Not sure how to tell when your pie is done? Does your bottom crust always come out soggy, not golden and firm? This book can solve your problems--never have the bottom crusts on our apple pies come out so well! apple pie heaven
The humble apple pie is so easy to make, yet tastes so good. Home made pies are rare these days, so I am glad to have a new book with nothing but recipes for apple pies, 100 in all. Strictly speaking, some of the recipes are not pies, but close relatives. Read more

Subjects:  1. Apples    2. Cookery (Apples)    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Pies    6. Pies    7. Desserts   

Reviews (34)

True to title
The title is absolutely true.But it's fairly easy to simply leave out the eggs and add a little dairy.That's all she's done.To nearly every recipe.Page after page after page.If you haven't baked much, and if you have no dairy intolerence/allergy, the book could be helpful.If you're a long-time baker who's looking for some insight on how to continue baking with a restricted diet, don't waste your money on this book.Pick up you're old Betty Crocker or Joy of Cooking, look at the recipe, take out the eggs, add some dairy as binding, and voila, you've got this book.

Great book with kid friendly recipes.
This book makes baking without eggs easy.When my son was first diagnosed with an egg allergy cooking seemed very intimidating.I didn't know where to begin.This book has recipes for foods that any child will eat.My daughter who has no food allergies is a very picky eater and even she will eat everything that I make from this book.This is the only cookbook that I have found that eliminates just the eggs.I have tried many of the allergen-free cookbooks (those that eliminate dairy, wheat, nuts, gluten, eggs, etc.).My kids don't tend to like the things I make from those cookbooks.If its just eggs that you need to eliminate then Bakin' Without Eggs is the best cookbook to have.I only wish Rosemarie Emro would publish a second book.

amazing book
We've been using this book for about 5 years now.My daughter is allergic to eggs, milk and nuts.All of the recipes I've tried are great, but in particular, there is a wonderful recipe for "loaded chocolate chip cookies" that is better than anything I've made with eggs and butter.Now my daughter has something she can share with her friend that doesn't "taste funny". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baking    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - Desserts    5. Diet therapy    6. Egg-free diet    7. Food allergy    8. Health & Healing - General    9. Health & Healing - Weight Control    10. Methods - Baking    11. Recipes    12. Desserts    13. Health & wholefood cookery   

Editorial Review

Tapas are more than savory appetizers. "They represent a style of eating and way of life," says Penelope Casas, whose Read more

Reviews (22)

Tapas: The Little Dishes of Spain
This cook book is well done, has interesting recipes with good little anecdotes. I have already tried some of the recipes and they were well received at a recent party at our home. The stuffed mushrooms and other recipes are really good and received many compliments.

Perfect cook book if you love casual entertaining.
I bought this book when first published and really need to buy a new one as mine is so dog-eared and stained from overuse. When I was single I often entertained friends and family and they were always impressed with these dishes. Tapas are the perfect party food. Many of the recipes can be prepared a day or two ahead andthen reheated when guests arrive. I have prepared almost 70% of the recipes in this book and have yet to find a bad one. One of my favorites, gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) is a sure pleaser. There are many recipes that call for Spanish paprika. Be sure to buy the "smoked" sweet paprika if you want authentic flavor.

The little dishes of Spain
This is a reasonable book. Probably the best of its type on Tapas; although some dishes may be plain and simple. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Appetizers    2. Cookery, Spanish    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Appetizers    6. Regional & Ethnic - Spanish    7. Cooking / Spanish   

Subjects:  1. Appetizers    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Appetizers    6. Entertaining    7. Entertaining - General    8. Home Economics (General)    9. Cooking / Appetizers   

Editorial Review

"I have always considered desserts to be of equal importance to the savory food," Charlie Trotter writes in the opening pages of his lavish Read more

Reviews (14)

Useful only for photos & inspiration
I can say that I am a reasonably competent home chef with an above-average knowledge of technique and most necessary equipment to get the job done. Having said that, I was impressed with the photos of nearly every featured recipe in this book and find the recipes to be admirably aggressive in their taste and texture contrasts. The recipes, however, are nearly all flawed in some significant manner in that following them verbatim will result in poor results. Even when this is not the case, I find these recipes to be "out of whack" from a taste perspective by any gastronome's standards and in need of serious tweaking. If you have good kitchen skills and seek to be inspired by the ideas in this book, then I would suggest it (USED!!) ... otherwise, there are much better cookbooks that will yield far superior results.

Really, what is the point here?
Get serious people, there is no way in a million years that most of us would ever successfully assemble one of these over-the-top recipes presented in this book.The extravagence displayed here is totally off the deep end, and is beyond the means or talents of most cooks, so why market this cookbook in the first place?Only other professional chefs would be capable of pulling it off, but they are also capable of making up their own fabulous recipes without Charlie Trotter's help. excellent ideas and photos, but not for the practical chef
charlie trotter creates some of the finest courses i've ever seen.the only problem with this is, nothing contained within this series of books is even remotely practical or feasible from the home kitchen.the ingredients he uses are sometimes impossible to find (even when ordering through a professional kitchen), and the equiptment required for them aren't usually owned by the common cook.so, if you're serious about trying to create an award winning entree or desert, and have the time, patience, equiptment, and endless exotic produce, this book is perfect for you.the rest of us will just have to admire the pictures. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Charlie Trotter's (Restaurant)    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - Desserts    5. Desserts   

Editorial Review

Williams-Sonoma, purveyor of choice gourmet products and kitchenware, has also created a collection of succinct yet comprehensive cookbooks. Part of the series, Read more

Reviews (8)

Please sir, I want some more,...
"Yo Diggity", would be the phrase that comes to mind when I'm searching through my cook books and this one catches my eye.That or "booya". I can't decide. I love soup. A lot. I like making soup too and this book has really good recipes that are easy to follow. For the recipes that call for chicken, beef or vegetable stock,...if you like homemade stock better,(who doesn't) but don't know how to make it,..HAVE NO FEAR! SOUP will teach you. It has recipes for all kinds of soups,..miso, hot and sour, shrimp bisque, chowders,.. all kinds. This book simply excites me.

great book
I got this book about a week ago and it was so tempting that I have already made 3 soups!they were all great and super easy.Highly reccomended

Mixed Results
William's-Sonoma has an excellent recipe book layout; their bright colorful pictures and easy-to-read text always make a nice impression on me. While selecting my first trial recipes I noticed that if a person wanted to, he or she could preplan menus with this book. Many of the soups call for similar base ingredients and stocks so different soups could be created on consecutive days.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Soups & Stews    4. Soups    5. Cooking / General    6. General cookery    7. Soups & starters   

Reviews (1)

A comforting feast for the eyes and stomach!
The book has wonderful recipes we all remember eating.The recipes include ingredients one can get anywhere.The artwork is also special.I didn't see a single "weird" recipe and felt "comfort" even looking at the pictures.If you want "cutting edge", don't buy this book.If you want to make simple food you can cook without a cooking class and make food everyone will actually love, you found the right book.I may have some of these recipes in other books, but not within one book so beautifully illustrated. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - Desserts    5. General    6. Cooking / General    7. General cookery   

Reviews (32)

useful book
this is a very useful book.It explains in detail how to make bread by hand (which I don't need because I have a breadmaking machine ... but it is useful to understand this even with a breadmaker).What I really like is that the wheat bread recipes don't include white bread flour like many of the other bread book that I purchased.

not for bread makers
I bought this book doing a search with two phrases, whole grain and bread machine. The book promises to easily convert her recipies from oven to bredmachine. She only gives a few pages that vaguely tell to modify the recipies, but not ecactly how. Judging from previous reviews, this book must have some merit. It is not for a bread machine owner that likes simple and direct instructions.

There's nothing like home-baked bread.
A splendid cookbook, by now reaching classic status. This book is exactly as advertised, chock-full of delicious whole-grain recipes with not a single 'half white, half whole' recipe in sight. (So many other whole grain books dissappoint in this area, with their idea of whole-grain being a quarter cup of oat groats mixed into white flour...)
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Subjects:  1. Baking - Confectionery    2. Bread    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Bread    6. Health & Healing - General    7. Nutrition    8. Cooking / Bread   

Editorial Review

Think Caramel Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting, Strawberry Banana Muffins, Lemon Meringue Pie, and Sour Cream Coffee Cake. These old-fashioned comfort sweets are among those that Jennifer Appel turns out at her Buttercup Bake Shop. And while Read more

Reviews (25)

DELICIOUS RECIPES
I LOVE THIS COOKBOOK GREAT RECIPES EASY AND FUN TO MAKE EASY TO FOLLOW STEPS GREAT TASTEING OLD FASHIONED TREATS I HAVE BOUGHT OTHER BOOK LIKE THE MAGNOLIA BAKERY COOKBOOK AND MORE FROM MAGNOLIA THOSE BOOK ARE GREAT TOO GOOD AND YUMMY OLD FASHIONED BAKING .

Ok, OK, Maybe good recipes but where are the cupcakes??
Ok, so is anyone else dissappointed that Buttercup Bake Shop is known and famous for their cupcakes and there aren't any in this book? Recipes are fine but they sell you on the cupcakes on the cover. Not the best baking book ever either and I really would be qualified to know as I have a baking business.

Misleading Cover!
This book is written by the co founder of Magnolia Bakery that is famous for their cupcakes.The cover of this book has a photograph of 5 cupcakes.I have been looking for a great cupcake recipe and bought this book based on those 2 factors.There is not a single cupcake recipe in this book!!!I feel misled and cheated. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baking    2. Buttercup Bake Shop    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Desserts    6. Desserts    7. Methods - Baking    8. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    9. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft    10. Cooking / Desserts    11. National & regional cuisine    12. USA   

Reviews (7)

It's called Professional Baking because it's not for the home baker....
Simple fact:This is a text book.This is the book that we're using in my Pro Chef/baking & pastry course, and we've discovered that many of the recipes/formula's in this book are NOT the proper ones (case in point:ever hear of tiramisu without the alcohol???)
Very good book for the professional or serious amateur, but not the average home cook
This is a very thorough and well-written book, which is sponsored by one of the most respected cooking schools in the world: Le Cordon Bleu.Please note that this book is not for the occasional home baker/cook, but rather for the professional or serious amateur.
Smoke and mirrors
Amid all of this book's hype, I really found myself unimpressed--particularly after one incident:
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Subjects:  1. Baking    2. Baking - Confectionery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Bread    6. Food presentation    7. Methods - Baking    8. Cooking / Baking    9. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Editorial Review

"Consider, young Jedi: Why bake a plain old cookie when you can bake a super-Chewie Wookiee Cookie?" So begins the delightful Read more

Reviews (23)

Force Feeding
I gotta admit, when I picked this book up to review, it was right after I read another Chronicle Book called Stir Squirt Sizzle that I thought was the lamest, the absolute most mundane and probably worst kid's cookbook in existence, so I was skeptical.
silly, but fun and tasty!
I gave this cookbook to my young son the Star Wars freak as a birthday gift. I really wasn't expecting much from it, other than generating a few chuckles at the Star Wars birthday bash. Several months down the road, I am proud to report that we have tried a half dozen of the Wookiee Cookies recipes. My picky eater now enjoys Twin Sun Toast for breakfast, and we've had great success with Princess Leia Danish Dos. The "Leias" are my personal favorite! They are made with pizza dough and so are a bit heavier than most danish, but are nevertheless delicious and easy to make! Most of the recipes are typical foods given a SW name, but they are all kid friendly and simple to prepare and serve. My children have been asking to help in the kitchen much more often since this book came into our home! The book includes a few of each category: breakfast, beverages, snacks and sides, main courses, and desserts.

Great for Kids!!
My kids are huge Star Wars fans & they love to cook.This was perfect for them!!The instructions are easy to follow & many of the recipes can be made by them alone (with me close by, of course.)By doing it on their own & with Star Wars as the theme, they tried things they wouldn't have before & they loved it!!There has only been one thing they haven't liked(Mos Eisley Morsels--they were very dry), but the Bossk Brownies, Wookie Cookies & Greedo Burrito were the best to them. It was definately worth the money!!!We have only had it a few weeks & we've tried most of it & keep going back!!Can't say enough good about it!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking & Food    5. Courses & Dishes - Cookies    6. Miscellanea    7. Star Wars films    8. General cookery    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Cooking   

Editorial Review

Has fear of hors d'oeuvres stymied your instinct for entertaining? Then give three cheers for the editors at Britain's DK Publishing, the lush, informative books they produce, and the writers that bring to press the highest level of cooking instruction and encouragement. Please welcome Read more

Reviews (21)

Simple recipes and inspiring photos page after page
The information in this book has been organized into several different sections and it is very easy to find recipes. The book even recommends a few sample menus of several recipes that go well with one another for a party. The photos in this book are very beautiful and inspiring, the recipes are simple to follow and the glossary of ingredients very helpful. I have tried many recipes and followed the presentation suggestions in this book with much success. The only one thing that I wish the authors have included in the book is a recipe for "creme fraiche", which is often called for in recipes and included in the glossary, but no instructions of how to make it from scratch. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book for anyone that wants to try making hors d'oeuvres at home for friends and family. It is one of the best cooking books I own and I refer to it very frequently.

Lots of variety
I love this book.Most of the recipes have few ingredients and are not hard to make. There are sweet as well as savory recipes and many of them have do-ahead instructions.In addition there are lots of pictures and garnishing ideas.It is the best book I have on hors d'oeuvres.

Beautiful, useful, educational, creative
I made 3 recipes out of this book for a party the day I received it, all three for things I had never attempted to make previously - and all 3 were a huge success. I have successfuly used it several times since, and while many recipes can be time consuming if you don't plan ahead, there are a few fairly simple and quick ones.It is porbably not for you if you are only looking for simple appetizer ideas or if you don't want to purchase somewhat advanced pastry utensils (i.e. fluted cookie cutters and tartlet forms), but as other reviewers have said, it is an excellent inspiration for those of us who love to cook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Appetizers    4. Cooking / Appetizers   

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Cakes    4. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft   

Editorial Review

The meal-in-a-bowl brews at the Daily Soup, a Manhattan food chain, excite customer devotion. Now Leslie Kaul, the stores' executive chef, along with the owners, offer Read more

Reviews (25)

great soup, but a LOT of work
I should preface this by mentioning that the soup is truly fantastic.My wife and I have tried four recipes, so far (Poblano Corn Chowder, Roasted Red Pepper Soup, Mushroom Barley, and Chicken Garlic Bread).She's big a big fan of all four; I've really liked three of them and was lukewarm on the fourth.So overall, we're generally pretty pleased with the end result.
A total Ripoff
The review says 200 recipes.Someone help me.I barely counted 100 --- most of which I would not make in a million years.
Awesome soup recipes and great techniques
My wife originally gave me the Daily Soup Cookbook about 5 years ago as a birthday gift.I am usually not a big fan of cookbooks resulting from chain restaurants, so initially; I was reluctant to try any of the recipes.But after my wife prepared the Cuban Black Bean soup from the book, I was convinced that this cookbook might have some potential.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Soups & Stews    4. Daily Soup (Restaurant chain)    5. Soups    6. Cooking / Soups & Stews