Rating: 
Summary: Another Great Lemon Book
Review: Lori Longbotham's Luscious Lemon Desserts was already one of my favorite cookbooks--and I like her new lemon book even more. It's filled with irresistible recipes for every course (including more desserts)--and most of them are easy enough to make on the spur of the moemnt. There's also a great "pantry" chapter, with lemon staples to make and keep on hand to, as she says, add "a little extra spunk" to whatever you're cooking (even the recipe notes are fun to read), along with one of fresh condiments and another of sauces--not to mention more versions of lemonade than you've ever imagined. Get both of her books (this one, especially, is a real bargain) for your very own lemon library.
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Summary: In love with Lemon Zest
Review: My friends and family members who have already recieved "Luscious Lemon Desserts" (and there are many) will be delighted to recieve its perfect mate, "Lemon Zest". (They might even recieve the microplane as described in "Lemon Zest" so that they can grate the zest as if they were "playing the violin".)
Why stop at desserts? As "Lemon Zest" demonstrates, lemons are good with just about every kind of food. Recipes include condiments and sauces, breakfast foods, desserts, beverages and dishes with meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, rice and more. Some of my favorites have included the "Zesty Summertime Garden Soup", the "Lemon and Parsley Baked Eggs", and the "Pork Tenderloin with Lemons and Fennel". I look forward to trying many more of the recipes.
The book is fun to read, the recipes easy to follow and the ingredients easily obtained.
Plus, if I'd only known you could clean white suede shoes (with lemon, of course), it could have transformed my nursing career.
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Summary: Summer's sunshine
Review: Play free association with lemons and tart, sassy, fresh, sunny, invigorating and appealing are words that come to mind. After spending time with Lemon Zest, Lori Longbotham's newest cookbook, those same words apply to the lovely collection of recipes she has chosen to showcase the golden orbs of sunshine. And heading into summer, I can't think of a more appealing ingredient to spend serious time with, especially when guided by Longbotham's creativity and keen sense of flavors. In some recipes, she uses lemons to add subtle accent to seasonal treasures. Her tomato salad has the sprightly tang of lemon oil playing in fine balance with the fresh basil, garlic and onions that accent vine-ripened beauties. Orzo with tiny peas is near-perfect--just the type of recipe that everyone needs to have in their repertoire. It's quick, uncomplicated, versatile and tastes fabulous. She shows how wonderfully assertive and puckery lemons can be, too. The first recipe I tried was lemon-blueberry scones with lemon curd; trust me, it will become an oft-turned to standard in any cook's collection. Her riff on lemonade is refreshing, with an interesting list of ideas to jazz up the summertime staple. At her suggestion, I adding tried cardamom, which I never would have thought of myself. It's exotic and wonderful. I also tried the lemon poundcake, which I sprinkled with her lemon dust. Next up is lemon honeycomb mold, a gelatin-based dessert which for those old enough to remember sounds a little like Jello's 1-2-3 dessert mix. I've used Longbotham's recipes in the past and find them to be accurate and well written--which, unfortunately, is not true of all cookbooks out there. But I also appreciate that she has a good palate--a little sophisticated but not weird or over the edge. And her writing is fun, too. It sounds as though she really enjoys food. This could easily become my favorite book of the summer.
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Summary: Zest we forget...
Review: This is a fabulous book. The recipes are great, the inside information about lemons ranges from literary to scientific..and best of all, the author solved one of my biggest culinary problems--removing the zest from a lemon. All these years I've been using a box grater. WRONG, she says, and points out the right tool. I got it and guess what? It's a treasure.
Now I can make all those fancy recipes (actually, they're fairly easy) calling for zest without scraping my fingers.
Better yet, when someone hands me a lemon, I can do more than make lemonade.
Rating:
Summary: Simply perfect
Review: Well written, well tested recipes that will send your tastebuds reeling with excitement. Wonderfully crisp recipes like penne with tomato lemon and herbs. Fabulous combination. Lemon and Mint potatoes are divine and so refreshing to the palate. Of course the pairing of lemon and ginger in both main courses and desserts is sublime. This cookbook is a great reference as well with pages of information on lemons, garnishes, preserves etc. Can't wait to make those Ginger Lemon Bars again!
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Summary: Pucker Up Rave
Review: Well written, well tested recipes that will send your tastebuds reeling with excitement. Wonderfully crisp recipes like penne with tomato lemon and herbs. Fabulous combination. Lemon and Mint potatoes are divine and so refreshing to the palate. Of course the pairing of lemon and ginger in both main courses and desserts is sublime. This cookbook is a great reference as well with pages of information on lemons, garnishes, preserves etc. Can't wait to make those Ginger Lemon Bars again!
Rating:
Summary: Simply perfect
Review: What I love about these recipes is that they're so fresh, and even the very sophisticated are balanced and simple. (Don't miss the Simply Perfect Lemon and Parsley Couscous, the gremolata and classic osso bucco, or the three varieties of quick preserved lemons and you'll see what I mean.) It's also fun to have one book cross so many ethnic lines, from classic Italian to Moroccan to Thai to down home. P.S.When I die, sprinkle me with lemon dust (p.212!)
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Summary: Zest for Lemons
Review: When I read this cookbook, I have to resist the urge to run immediately into the kitchen, grab lemons, and cook. The recipes are all interesting, easy to make, and incredibly flavorful. And where else can you find a recipe for a wonderful, thirst-quenching Lemon Barley Water? Everyone needs this book!
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