Edible Gifts

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful but limited
Review: I was disappointed by this book. There are beautiful photographs of almost every item, but the total number of recipes is less than 40. A few recipes I did not find feasible as gifts--for example there are two recipes for bouquet garni which must be assembled, given and used immediately by the recipient (something no friend of mine would appreciate!). Also, no suggestions were provided for the containers or wrapping/displaying of the items, though the pictures do provide some inspiration. You are directed to a website for canning/processing information which may be fine for those familiar with this process. I was unclear whether the storage information reflected canning/processing or not. However, the book is very attractive and the recipes look tasty. The author provides a few suggestions for use of the condiments.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful but limited
Review: I was disappointed by this book. There are beautiful photographs of almost every item, but the total number of recipes is less than 40. A few recipes I did not find feasible as gifts--for example there are two recipes for bouquet garni which must be assembled, given and used immediately by the recipient (something no friend of mine would appreciate!). Also, no suggestions were provided for the containers or wrapping/displaying of the items, though the pictures do provide some inspiration. You are directed to a website for canning/processing information which may be fine for those familiar with this process. I was unclear whether the storage information reflected canning/processing or not. However, the book is very attractive and the recipes look tasty. The author provides a few suggestions for use of the condiments.

Rating:
Summary: Ideas You Won't Find Elsewhere
Review: This book offers great ideas for homemade gifts you won't find anywhere else (Sugar Mice, Orange Brandy Butter) and some not so-unusual combinations such as Chocolate Gingerbread that makes you wonder why you didn't think of it yourself. I like that many of the recipes don't require cooking/baking and the simplistic yet elegant packaging is an inspiration for any wrapping project. I doubt I would use all the recipes, but then I never do from any of my books. The photographs are luscious! The book by itself would make an excellent gift.

Rating:
Summary: Ideas You Won't Find Elsewhere
Review: This book was a huge disappointment! It gives one recipe it says is great to give with homemade plum pudding (for which it does NOT include a recipe). Right after the copyright information, in teensy print few readers will even notice, it mentions that all recipes for the book were tested in a convection oven, and that you'll have to change the timing and temps if using a regular oven - but this is never mentioned again, so readers seeing 350 degrees F. for X minutes won't realize that they'll have to fiddle with both time and temp. Also, in that same teensy print, it gives a website to check for pickling info - instead of providing the essential information with the pickling recipes. Even people who notice that teensy print section may not have computers, good browsers, free telephone/online charges to check, etc. That shouldn't be required for using a cookbook. There are no hints whatsoever for packaging gifts (although some pretty ways are shown, sans any info about doing it yourself or finding the materials), many if not most of the recipes must be made immediately before using (with no hints how to use them - think how thrilled the recipient will be to receive mystery blend to use immediately, w/o any hints how to use it), many must be kept refrigerated (another problem for a gift cookbook, since givers like to be able to mail things or give them to people at work w/o expecting them to leave early to get it home in time to chill it). I could go on and on. This is a flimsy little book with a high price for so few recipes, and only a very few of the recipes are remotely feasible for gifts - odd in a book called Edible Gifts.
Don't waste your money!

Rating:
Summary: What a ripoff!
Review: This book was a huge disappointment! It gives one recipe it says is great to give with homemade plum pudding (for which it does NOT include a recipe). Right after the copyright information, in teensy print few readers will even notice, it mentions that all recipes for the book were tested in a convection oven, and that you'll have to change the timing and temps if using a regular oven - but this is never mentioned again, so readers seeing 350 degrees F. for X minutes won't realize that they'll have to fiddle with both time and temp. Also, in that same teensy print, it gives a website to check for pickling info - instead of providing the essential information with the pickling recipes. Even people who notice that teensy print section may not have computers, good browsers, free telephone/online charges to check, etc. That shouldn't be required for using a cookbook. There are no hints whatsoever for packaging gifts (although some pretty ways are shown, sans any info about doing it yourself or finding the materials), many if not most of the recipes must be made immediately before using (with no hints how to use them - think how thrilled the recipient will be to receive mystery blend to use immediately, w/o any hints how to use it), many must be kept refrigerated (another problem for a gift cookbook, since givers like to be able to mail things or give them to people at work w/o expecting them to leave early to get it home in time to chill it). I could go on and on. This is a flimsy little book with a high price for so few recipes, and only a very few of the recipes are remotely feasible for gifts - odd in a book called Edible Gifts.
Don't waste your money!