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Summary: MFK Fisher defined writing about food before it was cool
Review: MFK Fisher's writings are now surfacing in popularity again - how wonderful. Her books and stories are a synthesis of food, tastes, moods, a bit of travelogue, some history. Her works - not just this one - are must reading, regardless if you are foodie or not.
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Summary: one of the favorite books of a self confessed book addict
Review: Once upon a time I worked for a chef who absolutely adored MFK Fisher (this was one of her only redeeming qualities) and although I love food and wine, I had never heard of her before, but I love to read and I figured that I would pick up a few of her books and this one (actually a compilation of 5 of her books)is the first that I read, and it just changed my life, it is such a beautiful book that describes food and love and life so artfully you cannot help but feeling happy when you read it. She speaks a lot of France, and about her life experiences mingled with all sorts of facts and trivia and research about food. It is lovingly written. For those of you who love books about food and the art of food, this is for you. For those of you who think that you don't like books about food, this is also for you. Check it out.
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Summary: In the Kitchen, by fermed
Review: There are two types of cookbooks: those that you consult in order to learn how to prepare a specific dish (squid in its ink, for example) and those that you read when you are not in the kitchen and then allow to settle in your brain for a little while, and from which you decide, in time, to prepare something special. "The Joy of Cooking" is of the first type, the "Art of Eating" of the second kind.There are two types of cookbook authors: those who did not follow a drive to become apothecaries and instead wound up in a kitchen. Now they issue a prescriptive formulary of carefully controlled measures, procedures, times, weights, and ingredients (no substitutions, please) in precise, neat, humorless texts: recipes by edict, if you will; and those who under other circumstances would have become poets or novelists, but instead wound up in the kitchen, from whence they issue lyrical prose as well as exquisite dishes. Their recipes are often vague, permissive, infuriating, but tolerant of errors. There are many who fit the first category and few (MFK Fisher among them) the second. There are two ways of comparing cookbooks: by following recipes for highly complex dishes (beef Wellington, say) and tasting the results, or by following extremely simple recipes from each book and making gustatory comparisons (scrambled eggs, for instance). Scrambled eggs, according to general culinary wisdom, requires that eggs be beaten together "until the white and yolks are completely combined" (Joy of Cooking) or to be whisked briskly (Fanny Farmer). Ms. Fisher starts by addressing the state of mind of the cook before embarking in the scrambling of the eggs: "This concotion" she comments "is obviously a placid one, never to be attempted by a nervous, harried [person], one anxious to slap something on the table and get it over with...I love this recipe, for its very gentleness, and for the demands it makes upon one's patience, and the homage it deserves from its slow tasting." I have used her recipe many times, and my guests become awestruck by the results. I cook the eggs even slower than she suggests (it takes me at least 45 minutes or even a little longer, when she recommends 30 minutes). You and your guests will never want to eat beaten scrambled eggs, ever again, after tasting MFK Fisher's version of this dish. If you ever cook, do read this book.
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Summary: An artistic achievement in itself
Review: This book - actually a collection of works - is for anyone who loves food. By food lovers, I do not mean those that drop by the Golden Arches for a Big One with Double Cheese (Supersize it, bud!) but those individuals who savor food in all its many, splendid variations. What is so depressing about the current state of food in America is a dichotomy. We have practically any meat, vegetable, fruit and ingredient at our fingertips yet choose to gorge ourselves on the dullest, least-taking and most mediocore items day after day. For those who enjoy not only fine cheese, good wine and savory desserts but also the ART of food, this is the book for you. This book is as much about life as it is food - its struggles and singular triumphs. Ms. Fisher discerns with an unerring accuracy what is and is not important to human beings. These are friends, mates, children, family, and shared experiences. In a special on Ms. Fisher, she cooked and served a fabulous meal in her small kitchen then waxed eloquently on whether or not to wash all the dishes before rinsing or wash and rinse each individual piece. THAT is the kind of curious, ever-searching mind that has given the world a literal library of excellent literature about the subject of food. It is difficult to choose one book over the other but the stories from France seemed to resonate. Then again, what could possiblt best the Alphabetic vignettes or the one on Oysters? This is essential reading for the civilized person.
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Summary: An artistic achievement in itself
Review: This book - actually a collection of works - is for anyone who loves food. By food lovers, I do not mean those that drop by the Golden Arches for a Big One with Double Cheese (Supersize it, bud!) but those individuals who savor food in all its many, splendid variations. What is so depressing about the current state of food in America is a dichotomy. We have practically any meat, vegetable, fruit and ingredient at our fingertips yet choose to gorge ourselves on the dullest, least-taking and most mediocore items day after day. For those who enjoy not only fine cheese, good wine and savory desserts but also the ART of food, this is the book for you. This book is as much about life as it is food - its struggles and singular triumphs. Ms. Fisher discerns with an unerring accuracy what is and is not important to human beings. These are friends, mates, children, family, and shared experiences. In a special on Ms. Fisher, she cooked and served a fabulous meal in her small kitchen then waxed eloquently on whether or not to wash all the dishes before rinsing or wash and rinse each individual piece. THAT is the kind of curious, ever-searching mind that has given the world a literal library of excellent literature about the subject of food. It is difficult to choose one book over the other but the stories from France seemed to resonate. Then again, what could possiblt best the Alphabetic vignettes or the one on Oysters? This is essential reading for the civilized person.
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Summary: A gastronomical tour de force
Review: This book is not a cookbook (though it does contain some great recipes). And it isn't really just a memoir. Rather, it is 5 books by one of the greatest writers about food collected in one volume. Whether you choose to read the essays over a period of time, or stuff yourself silly by reading as much as possible in one go, if you are the type who loves to read about food, you are in for a treat. Fisher covers great meals she has had and great meals she plans to have; she covers cooking from the highly expensive levels of decadence to true home economy (yes, you can live off sludge); she explores eating both as a social pastime and as an intimate, individual pleasure. If like me some of your favourite books have earned that title due to the authors ability to write about the meals it contains, you are sure to salviate at this tome. A wonderful read for all foodies...
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Summary: I cook fer a livin'...
Review: This was a gift from an ex-occasional lover...This is what I'll remember her by. If you love to cook, if you love to eat...if you just love to read while you eat...or make love and cook...what the heck, do 'em all at once...buy this now and have no regrets. Geez I miss that woman.
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