Leave Nothing on the Back Burner: My Happy Cooking Life

Rating:
Summary: Much more than a cookbook
Review: I'm trying hard not to write something like "take equal portions of love, wry humor, delightful eccentricity and great writing, mix well, and you have this book." I can't stand that kind of thing. And yet, that's pretty much the story of "Leave Nothing on the Back Burner." From the very first, with Barbara Michelson's description of her "two-trick pony" mother, G.G., you suspect that this isn't an ordinary cookbook. When G.G.'s only recipes are (1.) Scrambled Eggs and (2.) Mueller's Spaghetti with Del Monte Tomato Sauce, and when those recipes are meticulously and charmingly set forth, you know you're in for a treat.

You don't suspect that it's a five-course treat until a little later, when you learn that Ms. Michelson earned a Grande Diplome from the Cordon Bleu in Paris and that she's done just about everything a professional chef can do, from working in top Manhattan restaurants to running a mail-order brownie business. And all along the way she collects friends and their recipes. One of the most charming came through her job as chef in the private dining room of a Manhattan investment banking firm. There are some fancy recipes, then, suddenly, an aside about Joe the security guard. The kitchen would always make Joe a plate of food. In turn, Joe would bring in an offering from home. And so, on page 159, there's "Joe's Wife's Calzone." I found that irresistible.

The most charming parts of all have to be about Cafe Amore, a little place created just for Barbara and her husband Jim by their children to celebrate their anniversaries, etc. Of course, the kids' ambitious recipes are included, with cocktails too.

For me, the mark of success in a life story is my wish to have been there beside the subject, witnessing it all. By the end of this book, I wanted very much to have been beside Ms. Michelson in all those kitchens, meeting all these very original people, sampling all that exciting food. And most importantly, I really want to be invited over for dinner.



Rating:
Summary: Not your typical cookbook
Review: This book is funny, warm, insightful and obviously written with love. I've never sat down and "read" a cookbook before. This is more like a page-turner that happens to have interesting recipes mixed in. It's an interesting glimpse into homes, restaurants, cooking school, people's lives, etc. Highly recommended.