One Pot Wonders

Rating:
Summary: very, very good--just not revolutionary
Review: I bought this cookbook because I thought it was going to be filled with "wholes in one" recipes--in other words, full meals that needed, at most, an accompaniment of a green salad, bread, or potatoes. This isn't the case--there are very few recipes in here that could function as full meals.

And (here's where I disagree with another reviewer) I find the "one pot" rule to be very loosely followed. Pots are often wiped clean in between steps. There's nothing wrong with this (I do it all the time!), but then there are the dirty mixing bowls, spoons, food processor, etc. I have yet to find a recipe in this book wherein I feel like I've gotten away with fewer dirty dishes than I should have.

After all is said and done, this cookbook falls very short of the miracle I was (perhaps naively) hoping for. That is not to say it's not a good cookbook. I'd even say it's great--I've made several recipes from this book, and they've all turned out wonderfully (the butternut squash soup with cumin cream was just incredible, as were the seared scallops with pancetta and pea puree). I've often wondered why Conrad Gallagher seemed to feel the need for the "one pot" gimmick at all--maybe he felt he couldn't compete with the Naked Chefs and the Emerils of the world? Granted, I'd never heard of him before trying his book, but after trying some of these recipes I'd think he could give those guys a run for their money.

Health note: This is not a cookbook for those on restricted diets--Conrad really likes his heavy cream!

Rating:
Summary: Too Exotic unless You're Living in Paris
Review: I thought this book might be an upscale response to the crockpot revival. The food looks easy to prepare--if you can find (or can afford or really want to eat!) quail eggs, trompette de la mort, and kangaroo medallions. I'm selling my copy on eBay--just got it yesterday, never used it, never will.

Rating:
Summary: Too Exotic unless You're Living in Paris
Review: I thought this book might be an upscale response to the crockpot revival. The food looks easy to prepare--if you can find (or can afford or really want to eat!) quail eggs, trompette de la mort, and kangaroo medallions. I'm selling my copy on eBay--just got it yesterday, never used it, never will.

Rating:
Summary: Copied
Review: The one pot rule is adhered to strictly. It is a fun cookbook that has some wild ingredients- kangaroo being one. However, you can certainly substitute and many times the substitutes are clearly given. I would say that some of these recipes can be made with ingredients on hand, others you will need to prepare ahead for. The few items I have made from this cookbook have turned out well and the directions were easy to follow. THe pictures are lovely and only add to the book.

This is not the book to buy if you are trying to prepare meals in a hurry and on the fly. There are a lot of books out there that will help you with that. THis is a good book to buy if you enjoy cooking and want something that is fairly simple to make (once you have all ingredients on hand) and yet have it turn out good.

Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Copied
Review: The problem with this book was lack of substance. The recipes seemed to simply be a fusion to different styles of cooking to try to create a new experience. I was unsatisfied quite boring.

Rating:
Summary: Great if you're a chef
Review: This is not a book for the home cook. Most of the recipes are exotic and use unheard-of ingredients. Despite that, the book jacket specifically claims that the recipes are easy to prepare (which may be true) and the ingredients are easily found in your kitchen cabinet. Not true. I doubt you would find 'trompettes de la mort' and 'hazelnut nougat' handy in your kitchen on any given night. You would need to plan and shop ahead before you attempt a recipe from this book.

Beware that the 'one pot' principle is adhered to only if you're willing to wash out the same pot several times to finish off the recipe. The photography is lovely, of course. And some recipes are 'normal' enough for the home cook. Just don't expect to find many chicken and potato recipes. You will find more squid, monkfish (which the author clearly states is an endangered species), foie gras, scallops, and kangaroo(!). I suppose you would find this book useful if you're into innovative cooking and have a lot of time to spare shopping at speciality shops.