Rating: 
Summary: All around good cookbook
Review: Sara Moulton is by far my favorite TV chef, and I've been watching her for about 3 years on both "Cooking Live" and "Sara's Secrets." If you've ever tried her recipes that are available from her shows, then you know that her style of cooking is simply all around good food. Her show has inspired me to try new things and styles of cooking, and this cookbook continues in that tradition.The recipes in this cookbook appear to be a bit more difficult than the ones that she usually features in her shows, but they are still very reasonable. The variety of recipes runs from hors d'oeurves to soups to meat dishes to deserts. There are even separate sections on vegetarian main courses and breakfast foods. Most of the meat dishes also include a tidbit letting you know the appropriate wine to serve with that dish. The beginning of the book includes a special section that defines what the the items in recipes mean (like when she says eggs, she means large ones). I especially like the section she calls Pantry. This includes simple recipes for essentials such as chicken stock and vinaigrette dressing. She has included personal stories with almost every recipe, and many of the recipes have been inspired by close friends and family. For example, she tells how her sister makes wonderful cookies and has continued making cookies their grandmother Ruth made, hence the setup for Ruth Moulton's Spice Balls. These personal touches help bring life to the cookbook. I do wish there were more pictures of the food, however. Even though my cooking never looks as perfect as the pictures in the cookbooks, I like having an idea of how it's supposed to turn out. I do wish there were just a few more recipes that are styled for a quick meal- most of the recipes are a bit time intensive. I strongly recommend this cookbook, but just keep in mind it's not for a beginner.
Rating:
Summary: All around good cookbook
Review: Sara Moulton is by far my favorite TV chef, and I've been watching her for about 3 years on both "Cooking Live" and "Sara's Secrets." If you've ever tried her recipes that are available from her shows, then you know that her style of cooking is simply all around good food. Her show has inspired me to try new things and styles of cooking, and this cookbook continues in that tradition. The recipes in this cookbook appear to be a bit more difficult than the ones that she usually features in her shows, but they are still very reasonable. The variety of recipes runs from hors d'oeurves to soups to meat dishes to deserts. There are even separate sections on vegetarian main courses and breakfast foods. Most of the meat dishes also include a tidbit letting you know the appropriate wine to serve with that dish. The beginning of the book includes a special section that defines what the the items in recipes mean (like when she says eggs, she means large ones). I especially like the section she calls Pantry. This includes simple recipes for essentials such as chicken stock and vinaigrette dressing. She has included personal stories with almost every recipe, and many of the recipes have been inspired by close friends and family. For example, she tells how her sister makes wonderful cookies and has continued making cookies their grandmother Ruth made, hence the setup for Ruth Moulton's Spice Balls. These personal touches help bring life to the cookbook. I do wish there were more pictures of the food, however. Even though my cooking never looks as perfect as the pictures in the cookbooks, I like having an idea of how it's supposed to turn out. I do wish there were just a few more recipes that are styled for a quick meal- most of the recipes are a bit time intensive. I strongly recommend this cookbook, but just keep in mind it's not for a beginner.
Rating:
Summary: Quite a "Working Mom"
Review: Sara Moulton is the Executive Chef for Gourmet Magazine and Food Editor for Good Morning America. She has hosted several shows on Food Network. She is a graduate of the CIA, has cooked in famous kitchens like La Tulipe, and worked on Julia Childs' televison show. The friends she acknowledges in the book's Introduction are a veritable "Who's Who in Food Today". Her husband is Bill Adler, a very prominent person in the recording industry, and her Mother, Elizabeth, is the former Editor of, ( I believe), Glamour Magazine, so Sara has not only an impressive resume, but very good connections. You might expect such a person to have quite a formidable presence. On television Sara Moulton comes across as one of the most down-to-earth people you would ever hope to meet, and her book seems to confirm this image. She begins one recipe with, "Whenever I have homemade chicken stock in the freezer, I feel happy". And, you have to believe she sincerly means just that. The recipes range from simple to elegant, but are all designed to be cooked and eaten at home. Sara is proud to label herself a "working Mom" to her two children, and her philosophy on food and eating might be summed up in the quote, "A home-cooked meal is always a great gift, as is sitting down to dine." The book is very straightforward in its compilation, with short personal comments to accompany most recipes. The instructions are concise and easy to follow, and the book is full of handy tips such as, "... the best way to store ginger?". There are a few pages of colored photos of dishes, and numerous black and white family album pictures throughout the book. Michael Green, Gourmet's Wine Consultant, provides a chapter on pairing food and wine as well as tips and suggestions throughout the book You could do a lot worse than to own this cookbook.
Rating:
Summary: Quite a "Working Mom"
Review: Sara Moulton is the Executive Chef for Gourmet Magazine and Food Editor for Good Morning America. She has hosted several shows on Food Network. She is a graduate of the CIA, has cooked in famous kitchens like La Tulipe, and worked on Julia Childs' televison show. The friends she acknowledges in the book's Introduction are a veritable "Who's Who in Food Today". Her husband is Bill Adler, a very prominent person in the recording industry, and her Mother, Elizabeth, is the former Editor of, ( I believe), Glamour Magazine, so Sara has not only an impressive resume, but very good connections. You might expect such a person to have quite a formidable presence. On television Sara Moulton comes across as one of the most down-to-earth people you would ever hope to meet, and her book seems to confirm this image. She begins one recipe with, "Whenever I have homemade chicken stock in the freezer, I feel happy". And, you have to believe she sincerly means just that. The recipes range from simple to elegant, but are all designed to be cooked and eaten at home. Sara is proud to label herself a "working Mom" to her two children, and her philosophy on food and eating might be summed up in the quote, "A home-cooked meal is always a great gift, as is sitting down to dine." The book is very straightforward in its compilation, with short personal comments to accompany most recipes. The instructions are concise and easy to follow, and the book is full of handy tips such as, "... the best way to store ginger?". There are a few pages of colored photos of dishes, and numerous black and white family album pictures throughout the book. Michael Green, Gourmet's Wine Consultant, provides a chapter on pairing food and wine as well as tips and suggestions throughout the book You could do a lot worse than to own this cookbook.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Home Cooking 101, but she is Gourmet's Exec Chef
Review: This is a terrific cookbook and while I feel that the title might lead some to believe that the food prepared here is more basic than what is prepared on her Food TV shows, the opposite is actually true. That said, it's important to note that these recipes, while not primer-simple are still straight-forward, well written and very user friendly. Menu/accompaniment suggestions are included as well as wine suggestions and from my experience, they work beautifully together. The combination of Tarragon Chicken,Lemon Roasted Potatoes and Provencal Tomatoes is one of my personal favorites. There is a great variety of recipes here that can be used for family meals as well as entertaining. A very "able" book - usable, doable, reasonable recipes. This one will not collect dust on a shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Could have been great...
Review: This is one of those cookbooks that have such an enticing premise: a superb chef who is also an exceptional communcator. When I see a cookbook with a pedigree like this one has, I expect 1) great recipes, 2) engaging and informative text, and 3) some intangible benefit that justifies the purchase. In the case of Sara Moulton Cooks at Home, I felt the first two expectations were met in spades. The recipes ARE terrific and the text is unusually informative and well written. My only concern is that the book feels incomplete. Although Ms. Moulton includes some interesting personal material here, the cookbook ultimately suffers from a vague lack of real personality. In other words, unlike recent efforts by Alton Brown and other Food TV celeb-chefs, this title just isn't as interesting or compelling as other current offerings from that group of authors. It lacks the wit of Brown, the charm of Rachel Ray, and the pure bombast of Emeril. Granted, Moulton is unquestionably competent, but her cautious, conservative style leaves the reader somewhat underwhelmed.
Rating:
Summary: Wide Audience of Cooks Will Profit From This
Review: This unassuming and talented TV chef finally brings out a cookbook for most homes, not complex or pretentious ingredients and techniques, but solid food for family and guests. Sara has a broad repertoire and here shares what she has discovered as a home chef herself, providing solid fare for daily eats and also special entertaining occassions. Included in over 200 recipes on 375 pages are such great eats as: Creamy Lime Corn Soup with Cumin Salted Tortilla Strips; Indian Style Shepherd's Pie;Mom"s Meatball Stroganoff; Hungarian Pork Cutlets;Salmon in Phyllo with Peperoncini and Smoked Salmon Stuffing;Portobello Burgers with Red Peppers and Gorgonzola; Many will find perfect, fulfilling dishes to proudly serve family and dining guest as well. With great instructions and sources and advice on purchase, this will bless many of Sara's many fans, and make many more.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Through this book sara moulton will show many ameture chefs how to cook. she displays alot of personal items which makes the book really wonderful. the only people who could possibly have trouble with this book are the ones who are stupid and dont read what she has to say about it. her book cand be used by both ameture and very experienced chefs. if you are looking for a really amazing recipie, i would either trying the barbaque sauce, or Ruth Moultons Spice balls. i have made both, and aside from being delicous, they are easy to make.
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