Reviews (3)

The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas
This is the first recipe book I ever sat down and read from cover to cover.It has become one of my Christmas traditions, and one I share with friends and family by giving it as a gift. The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas
This is the first recipe book I ever sat down and read from cover to cover.It has become one of my Christmas traditions, and one I share with friends and family by giving it as a gift. A great Christmas cookbook -- Not just your standard meals
This book takes you through the history and traditions of Christmas, with full meals illustrated.My favorites - The crown roast of pork, with sausage stuffing.Favorite side dishes include brussels sprouts withbalsamic vinegar and baked onions.A great read, and a must-have for theholidays. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Frugal gourmet (Television pro    6. Holiday    7. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah   

Reviews (1)

Can't believe he was doing this back then.....
This book is like the Star Wars Prequels... It tells the story of how El-bulli has come along to being the Major Innovator..Great book... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Methods - Gourmet    3. Methods - Professional   

Reviews (12)

Great history with medium depth on the cigar review
I really appreciated this book for the photography and the explanation of the manufacturing process. Del Todesco does a great job of walking the reader through the myriad processes of creating a puro. The only thing about this book that left me a little disappointed was the review of cigars in the back. It seems a little difficult to review a cigar in one sentence, especially cigars that are as complex as a Montecristo #2 or a Hoyo de Monterrey...but time and again, he sums up an otherwise world famous cigar as "suitable for a beginner" or "mild, not much to recommend about this cigar". It just struck me as odd to have a compilation as deep as what is presented in this book and then give the cigars an extremely indifferent and passing glance en masse. The first 130 pages were interesting no matter what level of aficianado you are...the encyclopedia could use a good second edition enhancement.

Great work. One of the "must haves."
I agree with Van55. (What else is new?!) This is a fantastic book. I bought my copy used through Amazon over a year ago, and I am still making reference to it. If you are a fan of quality Cuban cigars, you need this volume along with Min Ron Nee's work.In contrast to Min Ron Nee's book, this one has much more on the history and production of the cigars. The photos, many full page, are colorful and moving.
Excellent historical reference
I found this book at Amazon while searching for the second printing of "An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars" by Min Ron Nee, that I understand is soon to be released for sale within the United States.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Cigar industry    3. Cigars    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Cuba    6. Entertaining - General    7. Havana    8. History    9. Industries - General    10. Manufacturing Industries (Economic Aspects)    11. Photo Essays    12. Photoessays & Documentaries    13. Sociology    14. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games    15. Other manufacturing technologies   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    5. Customs & Traditions    6. Design - Decorative    7. Design - General    8. Fashion    9. Product design   

Reviews (3)

Treat Your Friends to a Lovely Brunch
I discovered this book from a review in Life Magazine.Brunch seemed like a lovely, civilized way to entertain, but how do you cope with cooking omelets for more than two people or getting everything fresh/warm/chilled to the table in a timely fashion?
Brunch made fun!
Best breakfast/brunch book I have lately read completely with excitement and anticipation for every page. The recipes are fairly easy to prepare with simple ingredients. The ricotta cheese pancakes are absolutely devine, but the waffles with rhubarb comote and whipped cream, and also the sweet potatoes hash are my favorites. The drinks are all very enticing too.Just wish I could visit the restaurant itself.

Beautiful Brunches!
The recipe for Smoked Salmon Benedict is worth the price of the book but there are so many other recipes for those of us who love to entertain and/or those of us who think Brunch is the best idea anyone ever came up with! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - Brunch    5. Cooking / Brunch   

Reviews (1)

Least Favorite of 4 Nell Hill Books
I own all the Nell Hill books and this is by far and away my least favorite. The parties described in the book are not special - and the pictures are less than impressive. There is nothing new in this book - and the information presented is not specific enough. I wish the table settings were described in great detail. There are few fun things - the ideas of having a "sip and see" party to welcome a new infant is fun - but the decorations are not. The Nell Hill family of shops are terrific - but this book is a disappointment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Parties    7. Party decorations    8. Popular Culture    9. Popular Culture - General    10. Cooking / Entertaining   

Editorial Review

Books on nutritious eating abound, but none seem as comprehensive as Read more

Reviews (8)

Another classic from the people at CIA
To put this review into perspective for you, it is written by a serious student of cooking that has been actively studying food on their own for 25 years.I have been focusing on Italian food for the last 10 years.My favorite cookbook is "The Professional Chef" by the Culinary Institute of America.
the book i bought
item received in a reasonable amount of time and was the correct item.

Healthy Cooking
There are very healthy ideas in this cookbook. However, the recipes usually contained recipes that seemed to have an odd ingredient or two that I don't keep on hand. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Health & Healing - General    4. Methods - Gourmet    5. Methods - Quantity    6. Nutrition    7. Quantity Cookery    8. Quantity cooking    9. Cooking / Health    10. Health & wholefood cookery    11. Hotel & catering trades   

Reviews (8)

Wow!A book that will give you confidence and make entertaining simple, yet sifisticated.
A great book, I loved how she organized the recipes according to what type of party you will be having. She also has entire party menu suggestions at the back. My party is in exactly one month, so I've already started trying the recipes out on my family. Everything I've tried so far has been wonderful. This book was such a score for me. I highly recommend. 5 BIG STARS!

The complete party planning guide
If what you are looking for is just a cookbook, then Perfect Party Food definitely provides that, with between 5-600 scrumptious recipes from which to choose. However, this is much more than just a cookbook!
ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS IN MY COLLECTION!
Spending my time in the kitchen while entertaining is not my idea of a good time.So when I saw this cookbook, I was anxious to purchase it and try the recipes!I have made several recipes in this book and they have all been excellent. The recipes are easy to follow, delicious and creative, with ingredients that I usually have in my pantry or are easily found at the store. The recipes feature a lot of fresh veggies, herbs and quality ingredients making the recipes fresh and healthy.There are not a lot of high fat, high salt ingredients called for. I love the fact that all of the recipes have steps that can be done in advance that will allow me to have most everything prepped and ready to go before company comes.I find myself referring to it over and over.Great find! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Make-ahead cookery    8. Tablesetting   

Editorial Review

If you have somehow never cooked and yet want to, there's always that troublesome problem of where to begin. Fortunately, Read more

Reviews (8)

Beautiful book to own
Beautiful book and great "techniques" depicted.Have still not cooked from it, but I collect cookbooks and unlike "America's Best Recipes" type books which ponder on and on about what they don't like, this one shows you "how to do it" but also have some "lux" meals that you can try.the el bulli master decomposes foams.you can make that "foam soup" you tried at haute restaurants.the japanese section is mouthwatering and taste good just from the recipes.the pasta and dairy section written by Union Square grill master. the recipes seem doable.
Great book
THis is a grat book has almost everyhing in it. I really enjoyed the way it showed pictures to make sure you knew exactly what the chef was doing.

This is an amazing book
Today I found it on borders. I compared it to the professional chef (7th ed) and I was blown away by this book. Don't get me wrong professional chef is a good book but I was more in need to learn "techniques" and this book delivered it with beautiful step by step color photographs. I especially loved the seafood section. I don't know how to skin or filet a fish and this book showed it. If you are more into techniques like me this should be the first book for you. I can't comment on the recipes as I only brushed through them and this book has plenty of color photographs to give you guidance (I do mean plenty unlike most cookbooks). It's a good book for both new and experienced cooks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - General    5. General    6. Methods - General    7. Methods - Gourmet    8. Cooking / Reference   

Reviews (8)

Enlightening, Inspiring, and Fascinating!
Jessica Prentice's book was a joy to read.In fact, it is so readable, I've recommended it as a book club selection to several friends -- after all, we all eat! The way Prentice talks about eating and food, it is like she is an old friend on a passionate adventure.
A concise and "kitchen cook friendly" guide to the full-moon celebrations through healthy dining
Full Moon Feast: Food And The Hunger For Connection by Jessica Prentice is an engaging guide to the beautifully intricate art of culinary creations in synchronization with the cycles of an agrarian calendar. Accurately following the thirteen lunar cycles in periods of their yearly contributions and celebrations, Full Moon Feast knowledgeably explores varying moons cycles with seasonally appropriate recipes ranging from Blood Moon Swedish Meatballs; Stir-fry of Pork and Vegetables with Ginger; and Beef Broth; to Egg Moon's Avocado and Hard-Cooked Eggs with a Lemony Dressing; Stracciatella (Roman Egg Drop Soup); and Spring Tonic Nettle Soup. A unique original concept in cookbooks, Full Moon Feast is very highly recommended as a concise and "kitchen cook friendly" guide to the full-moon celebrations through healthy dining.
Food and the Human Condition
This book is a great deal more than just a cookbook. Rather it is an historical account of the human relationship with food before the great energy bonanza of the fossil fuel revolution made so many things appear easy, at least in the "developed world." But, as it becomes increasing clear that this bounty is failing, and that the economic and technological precepts upon which our civilization is based have certain fatal flaws from an ecological standpoint, we would do well to remember the wolf moon and the hunger moon that Prentice invokes so eloquently, and to contemplate why the people of old called their months so, and what that could mean to us in the future.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cookery (Natural foods)    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Health & Healing - General    6. Natural foods    7. Nutrition And Diet    8. Seasonal    9. Specific Ingredients - Natural Foods    10. Women's Health - General    11. General cookery   

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Methods - Gourmet   

Editorial Review

"A good party is not about the food," says Ina Garten, "it's about the people." That may be true, but her Read more

Reviews (73)

The Best Cookbook!
This cookbook is absolutely fantastic.As are all of Ina Garten's books.I have cooked at least half of the recipes and they never fail to get rave reviews.The recipes use common ingredients which are easy to find and no fancy techniques are required.It is also nicely illustrated.Watch out though if you are "fat" conscious!Low-fat is not her style!

Not as good as her other books, but a good addition
I wouldn't start with this book -- I actually 'inherited' it from someone who didn't care for it. I like the recipes, but the book is laid out as a series of party menus, rather than desserts in one section, main dish in one section, etc. While I appreciate the menu suggestions (they are a big help, as I am sometimes stymied as to what to serve with what), I would rather see them listed in the back of the book, rather than have the book organized this way. Otherwise, the book is stellar.

Something out of the ordinary
I must disagree with some of the reviews that have placed this book at par or below. Ina hits it out of the park yet again with Barefoot Parties! It is true that you will not find your run of the mill "holiday" parties in here, but who needs more books on those types of parties? We need ideas and recipes for all of the months in between! Parties! delivers just that. First of all, the recipes work; every time. Secondly, Ina chooses menues that one might not associate with that particular get together. It's a refreshing book that you will use over and over again not only for parties but for every night of the week. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Entertaining - Party Planning    7. Parties    8. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    9. Cooking / Entertaining    10. Etiquette & entertaining    11. General cookery   

Reviews (1)

A Cook After my Own Heart!
As the busy holiday season approaches, so does lots of cooking and baking. This book is full of easy, tasty and impressive dishes that can be made ahead, or mostly ahead. This is a great way to approach Holiday cooking! Whether you're making an entire meal or a pot-luck contribution, you'll find something wonderful here. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - General    5. Holiday cookery    6. Menus    7. Methods - General    8. Reference    9. Cooking / General    10. General cookery   

Reviews (24)

Very Pleased...
I was very worried about making bread, but Bette's Four Flour Bread was so easy and tasked great..I was very pleased.. I can't wait to try another.

Looking at Bread in a Whole New Way!
This book makes it easy to have a new relationship with baked goods.

I have not even read this and I know it's good
I have her first book (fabulous, I have already worn it out!). I don't own this one - yet. However, I have been baking bread for months in my bread machine using a recipe (adapted for my machine) from this book (the gluten-free white bread - can anyone tell me how many calories this has???). I am so thankful that I can still eat pizza and other treats I would miss so much, and it's all thanks to Bette. These breads may be too sweet, but that is relative. Use applesauce instead, or some other liquid replacement. Get creative. Learn to be a daring cook. As for these ingredients being too expensive: I don't buy it (especially not if it's too expensive!). You do have to be ingenuous and tenacious, but you can find local ethnic markets that carry these for much, much less than the distributors she is touting. Garfava flour can probably be found at an Indian market for dollars less per pound. Rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch are available at any Asian market for about 50 cents a pound. That's about $2 less per pound than the brand name flours at the health food store!!! See what I mean? This is a piece of cake. A gluten-free piece of cake. Bon appetit!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bread    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - Bread    5. Gluten-free diet    6. Health & Healing - General    7. Methods - Baking    8. Methods - Gourmet    9. Recipes    10. Wheat-free diet    11. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft    12. Health & wholefood cookery   

Reviews (8)

The Party Planner
This book is a definite must have! Mr. Tutera covers everthing from invitations, to atmosphere and everything in between. His hints and tips can even make a novice look like an expert. It is easy to see why his parties are so memorable. He gives you everything you need to make your party a smashing sucess!

Can't wait to plan a party
The book's great and the idea's behind each party are wonderful. I love that a scent is included to enhance the atmosphere of the party.
Grain of salt
My questions on reading this book were, "who GOES to these parties?" and "who THROWS these parties?"If you can get your mind around those questions, the book is useful.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Decorating - General    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Entertaining - General    7. Entertaining - Party Planning    8. General    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. Home Management    11. Parties    12. Etiquette & entertaining    13. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (6)

I love this book
This book is so warm and inviting to me. I loved it so much that I bought it for my little sister, as well as myself. She loved it too. If you are a lover of the Autumn season, and I am, then you will also love this book, I am sure.

summer girl embraces autumn....with a little help.
I have to admit, I am a big fan of Susan Branch's books. There is something comforting about cracking open one of her new books and delving in. I don't know if it is the colorful, homey drawings, the short little asides about her family or her traditions, or if it is that the recipes are so easily made and delicious. I just love the books and "Autumn" is no exception.
Evocation of the Season in New England. Not just a cookbook
`Autumn' by Susan Branch at first appeared to me in its Amazon listing under newly published cookbooks to be simply a cookbook of dishes appropriate to Autumn produce. As you in the know about Susan Branch's series of `Heart of the Home' books chuckle over my misunderstanding, I have to shift gears and change the criteria by which I judge the book, as it is not intended to be only an Autumn produce cookbook, and at almost $30 list price, it is not worth the money as simply a seasonal cookbook.
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Subjects:  1. American Regional Cookery    2. Cookery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Entertaining - General    6. Seasonal    7. Cooking / General   

Editorial Review

Miniature houses have an undeniable appeal, especially when they're made out of food. But the architectural achievements in this guide are so charming and sometimes so elaborate that it's hard to imagine actually eating them; they're meant to be admired, not devoured. From rustic to royal, humble to ornate, this eclectic assortment ranges from cooking-school complex to child-simple. Some were even designed by kids and could certainly be constructed by them. (Just be sure to buy extra trimmings, since the budding architects are bound to do some nibbling!)Read more

Reviews (11)

I'll keep it but only as a supplement to better books
This book has pictures of some really cool ideas, and pictures of some less-cool ideas. It also has several basic recipes and some general building information, but it isn't very detailed. Most frustrating are the pictures of houses that have only one or two pictures and little or no information about some of the most interesting design details!
Really disappointing
If you are seeking the inside secrets to gingerbread artistry, don't expect much from this book.This book doesn't even begin to cover the many gingerbread/food techniques currently available -- and that home builders can use -- which mimic real-life or fantasy -- building structures and contents.I thought that many of the instructions shown were too simple and general -- the reader deserved to read more details, more inside information on how to work with food items to create effects -- especially since the author is a pastry chef! The book's description also promises photos of the Grove Park Inn's gingerbread competition entries.But if you expect to see the competition's top of the line entries featuring incredible details, don't. I looked forward to receiving this book.I'm sorry I bought it.

Artistic, Excellent Photography, Good Variety!
Highly recommend for your baking library!Lots of great ideas, good instructions, basic templates but lots of room for your own personal taste.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    4. Methods - Baking    5. Seasonal    6. Cakes, baking, icing & sugarcraft    7. Cooking / Seasonal    8. Desserts    9. Food & drink / cookery: general interest    10. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB   

Reviews (16)

Indispensable
I'm a private chef who occasionally caters specialty workshops.I appreciated all the information in this book.

Be an Instant Catering Star!
I enjoy cooking for 2 to over 20 people, and there can be so much to remember to have the entertaining/dining event turn out "just right".
This is THE book for party planning!
I am planning on catering my own wedding with the help of a acquintance who does catering on the side.I have been looking for books that could help me plan a meal for 200 people, but without cheesy boring recipes.The reason I'm doing the cooking is we wanted some original and tasty menu items without breaking the bank.I also needed some practical information on how to pull off cooking for a large crowd without going crazy.This book is it, and it's the only catering book I found that fit the bill.Every other book I found had recipes like chicken kiev and casseroles.Snore!Even if you're having 10 people to your home, you can't go wrong with the tips and techniques mentioned in this book.It gives ingredient quantities as well as fabulous recipes and tips.There are even decorating and presentation techniques as well along with ratios for stocking the bar.The writing is crisp and intelligent without being stuffy and dull.All in all, a great book.A must buy for anyone planning a dinner party to hosting a large reception. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Methods - General    7. Fiction / Romance / Historical    8. Methods - Quantity    9. Parties   

Reviews (3)

Charming!
This book is wonderful. I just love Draper's tone and conversational way of writing. She offers ideas for all budgets and lifestyles. Charmingly retro, with plenty of good advice for today's hostesses. I could not put it down.

THE housewarming gift for gay men
Not as important or famous as Draper's "Decorating is Fun," but her 1941 "Entertaining" book is still amusing, deserving a spot on your coffee table next to an old 1940s Emily Post Etiquette book (when is somone gonna get wise and issue reprints of THOSE?).
A fun & inspirational read
If you're looking for some new ideas, as well as a peek into entertaining during the 1940's, you'll find a lot to enjoy in this reprint of Dorothy Draper's charming guide to entertaining. With an emphasis on simple, unpretentious planning, I think it was quite ahead of its time. This might make a good hostess gift! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior decoration    9. Menus    10. Architecture / Interior Design    11. Etiquette & entertaining   

Reviews (2)

Update the software!
As an instructor I felt the book was very good, but the students could not use the software on excel 97 or above. It was really frustrating, and I will not use it next semester.

I think this is an excellent book for chefs to be.
This is an excellent book for chefs to be.It gives in detail how to design a decent menu. But the price I paid for it is way to much. I picked up the book in our school bookstore, Lambton College, in Sarnia, OntarioCanada. It cost me 102.95 plus GST Tax. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    5. Menus    6. Tablesetting    7. Business & Economics / Hospitality, Travel & Tourism