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Summary: You can go Home again....and again!
Review: David Page and Barbara Shinn's book Recipes from Home is a wonderful culinary journey that takes the reader from the author's childhood memories in the Midwest through their time spent in California and now New York's Long Island. They share family recipes as well as many innovative translations of American Classics. I tried their Skillet Fried Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese, and Chocolate Pudding and wowed my family and guests. While eating this fabulous meal we all perused the beautiful family photograghs scattered throughout the book. We love this book! Having myself grown up in Indiana, lived in California, and now on the East Coast, it is a pleasure to find a book that not only is an ode to the Midwest, California and New England, three of our most cherished culinary regions, but also provides a personnel glimpse into the author's lives.
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Summary: a big load of cholesterol
Review: Does "homey comfort food" have to mean big doses of animal fat? I don't think so. If you like to cook, you know there are so MANY other books that have great, lower-fat (and easier) recipes than this book. Try some Italian, Moroccan, southern French, Japanese "home cooking" books instead.
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Summary: The best cookbook I have seen in YEARS!!!
Review: Home was my favorite restaurant when I lived in Manhattan--I was one of their earliest customers. I recently stumbled across this book, and was so pleasantly surprised to find recipes for some of the greatest dishes I have ever had: excellent simple roasted chicken, cumin crusted pork chops, lemony blueberry muffins--so many good things to eat!. I have made at least 10 things from this book--each better than the last, and none of them too difficult. And the desserts! The chocolate pudding is TO DIE FOR!!! It alone is worth the price of admission if you ask me (or my newly addicted friend, Harry). And I think my whole family agreed that the apple pie from Home was the hit of our Thanksgiving this year, with the honey pumpkin coming in a close second. These recipes are just fabulous. Further, this book is also a plain old good read. Brings back childhood memories of learning the ropes from my mother and grandmother and makes me want to get in the kitchen and start cooking! This book would be a great gift for anyone who loves to cook and who has love and respect for doing things right in the kitchen.
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Summary: My wife loves it!
Review: I bought this cookbook for my wife based on your review, and my wife loved it! She is an avid cookbook collector, and has been talking about this book since she got it....
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Summary: Phsically Demanding
Review: I have read cookbooks that featured physically demanding recipes..... this book is physically demanding just to be read. I can't imagine who thought up the size of this book and was able to foist it on the hapless authors. There are probably some interesting recipes inside, but you have to be a determined cook to strong-arm your way into that book to find them. Almost impossible to read unless you are really willing to work at it....which I am not. I wish I had my money back.
Rating:
Summary: Phsically Demanding
Review: I have read cookbooks that featured physically demanding recipes..... this book is physically demanding just to be read. I can't imagine who thought up the size of this book and was able to foist it on the hapless authors. There are probably some interesting recipes inside, but you have to be a determined cook to strong-arm your way into that book to find them. Almost impossible to read unless you are really willing to work at it....which I am not. I wish I had my money back.
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Summary: Big Disappointment!
Review: I was extremely disappointed with this book. While it was a nostaligic and somewhat interesting read, the book itself is very difficult to hold open while reading and the format is totally impractical as a cookbook. The book is 10 1/2 inches tall by 5 3/4 inches wide by 1 3/4 inches thick. The printing runs so close to the inside margins that you have to break the spine of the book in order to pry it open far enough to read all the words. Holding the book open that wide is a challenge and a definite strain on the hands. To use this book in the kitchen, you have to place a brick on it to keep the book open to the right page and prevent it from closing. Even then, the pages do not stay open wide enough to be able to read all of the ingredient measurements and instructions that are hidden in the center crease. Not to mention having to shift the brick to see the other half of the recipe. The recipes are primarily down-home comfort foods with lots of butter, cream and other high-fat ingredients -- not for anyone concerned about their fat and cholesteral intake -- and the instructions make some recipes more complicated than they need to be. In the back of the book is a section on home canning with a dozen or so basic and unusual recipes, which seem to have been added almost as an afterthought. This section is pretty rudimentary and the recipes leave a lot to be desired. If you're looking for a good source for recipes and canning information, this definitely is not it. Instead, you would be much better off with a cookbook like 'Blue Ribbon Preserves', which has an extensive selection of award-winning recipes and clear, detailed, up-to-date instructions. While the storytelling and family history sections in 'Recipes From Home' have some entertainment value, they alone are not worth the price of the book. Unless you really thrive on frustrating cooking and reading challenges, pass on this book.
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Summary: nice section on canning
Review: I've eaten at Home several times, and was touched by the interview on NPR about how they fed folks after Sept 11. But I probably won't use this cookbook that often, despite its charming design and friendly-sounding food. The recipes sound good, but most seem like they're a little too complicated for everyday use--not to mention the fact that they aren't especially healthy. However, I really liked the section on pickling and preserving--and when my garden gets out of hand again next summer, I know I'll put this book to good use.
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Summary: Great content, BUT...
Review: In terms of content, this is fabulous. I was familiar with the authors' recipes from Country Home magazine and was so looking forward to cooking from their new book. BUT. Who in their right mind approved the size and format of this thing? It is absolutely and totally ill conceived for practical use in the kitchen. If you just want to read the recipes and pretend that you are eating all that glorious food, OK. But if you want to put this book to use in the kitchen, forget it. I am so frustrated!! Let's hope the authors, designers and the publisher come to their senses when they put out the paperback edition!
Rating:
Summary: Great content, BUT...
Review: In terms of content, this is fabulous. I was familiar with the authors' recipes from Country Home magazine and was so looking forward to cooking from their new book. BUT. Who in their right mind approved the size and format of this thing? It is absolutely and totally ill conceived for practical use in the kitchen. If you just want to read the recipes and pretend that you are eating all that glorious food, OK. But if you want to put this book to use in the kitchen, forget it. I am so frustrated!! Let's hope the authors, designers and the publisher come to their senses when they put out the paperback edition!
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