New England Cooking: Seasons & Celebrations

Rating:
Summary: A great book!
Review: Claire Hopley has created a well-orchestrated, easy-to-use book on New England cuisine that is a must-have for both the casual and expert chef interested in the foods of the region. The book's plethora of recipes include many, many colorful pictures and, most impressively, interesting stories and histories of many of the tasty meals. Miss Hopley is an excellent writer, blessed with a keen ability to instruct through words without oppressing the reader with minutia. As a New Englander and a huge fan of her food publications in the local newspapers (e.g Boston Globe), I highly recommend her work and especially this book.

Rating:
Summary: Exceptional
Review: Claire Hopley has created a well-orchestrated, easy-to-use book on New England cuisine that is a must-have for both the casual and expert chef interested in the foods of the region. The book's plethora of recipes include many, many colorful pictures and, most impressively, interesting stories and histories of many of the tasty meals. Miss Hopley is an excellent writer, blessed with a keen ability to instruct through words without oppressing the reader with minutia. As a New Englander and a huge fan of her food publications in the local newspapers (e.g Boston Globe), I highly recommend her work and especially this book.

Rating:
Summary: A great book!
Review: I received this book as a gift and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. What distinguishes it from many cookbooks I've seen is that it includes detailed commentary on the origins of and traditions relating to various dishes and ingredients. This level of information creates a context for the recipes that most cookbooks fail to provide. It also makes the book a good read for someone who is too busy to cook or who is more interested in learning about New England cooking than actually trying recipes.

The book contains a wide variety of recipes. The author has included recipes for several standard favorites and has also come up with many creative "twists" on otherwise familiar dishes. I appreciate this mix. I've already tried several enjoyable recipes and plan to try others in the near future.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful compilation of outstanding dishes
Review: New England Cooking: Seasons & Celebrations is a wonderful compilation of outstanding dishes that draw from a distinctive regional culinary tradition. The very chapters headings conjure up images of gustatory delight: First Harvests; The Wanderers' Return; Spring Holidays; Beside the Sea; Berry Season; Shakes & Gardeners; Heritage Days; Harvest Festivals; Wine, Beer & Cider in New England; Thanksgiving; Party Time; Cold Weather Fun; and Once A Year. From Smoked Scallop Crostini with Radish Butter; Peppered Tuna with Sweet Potato Puree; Nantucket Portuguese Bread; and Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with a Gingernut Crust; to Muireann Glenmullen's Cranberry-Nut Soda Bread; Apple-Raisin Hand Pies; Cider-Baked Winter Vegetables; and Indian Pudding, New England Cooking offers superb recipes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful compilation of outstanding dishes
Review: New England Cooking: Seasons & Celebrations is a wonderful compilation of outstanding dishes that draw from a distinctive regional culinary tradition. The very chapters headings conjure up images of gustatory delight: First Harvests; The Wanderers' Return; Spring Holidays; Beside the Sea; Berry Season; Shakes & Gardeners; Heritage Days; Harvest Festivals; Wine, Beer & Cider in New England; Thanksgiving; Party Time; Cold Weather Fun; and Once A Year. From Smoked Scallop Crostini with Radish Butter; Peppered Tuna with Sweet Potato Puree; Nantucket Portuguese Bread; and Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with a Gingernut Crust; to Muireann Glenmullen's Cranberry-Nut Soda Bread; Apple-Raisin Hand Pies; Cider-Baked Winter Vegetables; and Indian Pudding, New England Cooking offers superb recipes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite.