Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing book
Review: Emeril's book "Creole Cristmas" is a big dissapointment. His recipes aren't anything like the ones he does on TV. They are hard to follow, and are missing steps. I had troubles trying to make some of the dishes. I wasn't happy with this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Creole Gourmet's Delight
Review: Having received this as a gift, I must confess that I have never cooked from it, but have perused it many a time.Included our recipes for a Christmas Eve Dinner for ten, Christmas Day Brunch, New Year's Eve Dinner, along with stuffing suggested gifts, mail order sources, shopping lists, and wonderful writing about the holidays and wine suggestions. On the "want-to-try" list are: Sugarcane Ham with Spiced Apples and Pears, Creole Christmas Fruitcake with WHiskey Sauce, Jiffy Pop Firecracker Shrimp, Crab Bisque with Crab Boulettes. Delightful book with great writing and photos and organization.
Rating: 
Summary: Love it love it love it, Not for everyone.
Review: I absolutly love to cook, have been to culinary school, also not afraid of new things. I have tried most of these recipies and many have become regulars. The smoked salmon terrine although is expensive we normally make on every holiday now. Sugarcane Baked Ham with Spiced Apples and Pears is super. Beef Tenderloin with Fresh Horseradish and Black Pepper Crust was suprizing ly good, I ont like horseradish at all, but it was paired so beautifully in this recipie it was sublime. Jiffy Pop Firecracker Shrimp we make everytime we have shrimp in the house. the Chocolate Chocolate Pudding Cake with Chocolate Ganache, Creole Christmas Trifle, Creole Christmas Fruitcake with Whiskey Sauce and the Banana Cream Pie with Caramel Drizzle and Chocolate Sauces is to die for, however this recipie is written with the assumption you have made custards b4 and know you need to temper it beford adding the hot milk mixture. I have not made the Lobster Cheesecake with Christmas Caviar Sauce but hope to soon. the big boy cookies and the spiced pecans...Ummm yummy, I am soo happy to have bought this book. If you are open to try new things, If you like to occasionally like to indulge and eat like something so decatend and pretend that it is a common thing, this book is definatly for you. Emmeril, you are my hero.
Rating:
Summary: kick your christmas up a notch!
Review: I bought this cookbook for my sister, who is a big Emeril fan! I was a little worried after reading the reviews and as soon as the book came in, went through it to check it out.
My mom and I both went through the book and cooked 2 Christmas dinners out of it! Yes, before I gave it to my sister. She was bummed that we hadn't gotten it for her. I wrapped it up and gave it to her used and I'm buying my mother her own copy as well. The food and stories were fantastic!!! and BAMBAMBAM!!!!! on the poinsietta cocktail, I highly recommend it for your next Christmas gathering!!!! loved it!!
Rating:
Summary: kick your christmas up a notch!
Review: I bought this cookbook for my sister, who is a big Emeril fan! I was a little worried after reading the reviews and as soon as the book came in, went through it to check it out.
My mom and I both went through the book and cooked 2 Christmas dinners out of it! Yes, before I gave it to my sister. She was bummed that we hadn't gotten it for her. I wrapped it up and gave it to her used and I'm buying my mother her own copy as well. The food and stories were fantastic!!! and BAMBAMBAM!!!!! on the poinsietta cocktail, I highly recommend it for your next Christmas gathering!!!! loved it!!
Rating: 
Summary: Meal recipes kind of lame..."gift" recipes are good though
Review: I can't be too upset about this book as I bought it used, so I got my money's worth. If I had paid full price, even Amazon's discounted price, I would have been annoyed. The recipes seem to be a little "formula", just take a regular recipe and add some truffles or andouille and it's "Emerilized"...a little hack if you ask me. There are however several recipes (and even a chapter) on things you can give as a gift though...homemade barbecue sauce or bottled "essence"...good stuff when you want to give something to that distant aunt, but don't want to break the bank.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointed with the book
Review: I was overjoyed with the delivery of the book. I purchased it used, at a fantastic price. There the joy ended. The recipes are ones that only a person looking for the completely abnormal meal would like this book. Only the section of Gifts to Make was worth reading. The recipes called for ingredients that are difficult to obtain and mostly of unusual taste. Would have cried if I had paid full price.
Rating:
Summary: Not for the faint of heart--but worth it!
Review: If you're only familiar with Emeril from his TV appearances, this book may surprise you. It lacks the flamboyance and loud flashiness, replacing them with a certain elegance and gourmet style. It includes a Christmas Eve dinner for ten, Emeril's Christmas Day brunch buffet, New Orleans New Year's Eve dinner, a New Year's Day supper family style, the Chef's holiday favorites, and Emeril's "stocking stuffers."
The book is filled with gorgeous photographs of lavish decorations and settings. They artfully set the mood in this book--one of no expense spared in the interest of fabulous holiday memories. Each section of the book is done as a menu, so that you can make the menu whole or steal individual recipes. None of these menus are quick things, and this book isn't designed for the cook who doesn't like to spend more than a half-hour in the kitchen. Shopping lists are included, as well as wine pairings.
This is not the cookbook for someone on a budget: it calls for such expensive ingredients as caviar, truffles, and huge amounts of fresh raspberries, some of which can be tough to find depending on where you live. The book also assumes at least a little experience with basic cooking techniques--novices shouldn't be starting with a gourmet cookbook using expensive ingredients. Not all of the recipes cost so much, however, and they aren't all complicated; for example, the spiced pecans are extremely inexpensive and easy, and they're so good that we've made them more than 15 times at least (and we don't often repeat recipes). They're so good, in fact, that people request them specially when they come to visit at holidays. So try the salad of new potatoes and roasted walnuts with warm bacon vinaigrette, or the truffle risotto with parmesan croutons. Make the andouille cheese bread or the white cheddar truffle eggs. Save this book for an occasion when you really want to pull out all the stops, whether it's Christmas or some other important time in your life. The photos alone will inspire you to do great things in the kitchen!
Rating:
Summary: Recipes Worth the Effort
Review: My husband and I love this book! We've planned at least four special dinners exclusively from it... and our family and friends are still talking. It's NOT one for those looking for quick dishes, but if you enjoy cooking you can't go wrong. I enjoy the beautiful photos and layout of the book as well. Just looking through it gets you in the holiday spirit.
Rating:
Summary: Recipes Worth the Effort
Review: My husband and I love this book! We've planned at least four special dinners exclusively from it... and our family and friends are still talking. It's NOT one for those looking for quick dishes, but if you enjoy cooking you can't go wrong. I enjoy the beautiful photos and layout of the book as well. Just looking through it gets you in the holiday spirit.
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