loretta's Reviews
Cookbook Reviews
51 books reviewed. Showing 1 to 50Sort by: Rating 
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The Cake Bible
By Rose Levy Beranbaum
William Morrow Cookbooks - 1988
This is my favorite cookbook. I learned to bake beautiful cakes and silky fillings from this book. All of the recipes are very well tested and they are all delicious. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about baking cakes, everything is explained in detail. There is also a section for professionals and passionate amateurs. My book is well worn and loved.
Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Make at Home
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2004
I love all the Barefoot cookbooks. In this book she took french food and made it simple, elegant and delicious.Great book.
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
By Ina Garten, Martha Stewart
Clarkson Potter - 1999
This is Barefoot's first book and it is very good. Well organized with beautiful pictures of the recipes. Simple clear instructions with great results. Thre reason I eagerly awaited her other cookbooks. The roasted eggplant spread is good healthy dip, all my friends have requested the recipe. Good book worth buying.
Barefoot Contessa Parties! Ideas and Recipes for Easy Parties That Are Really Fun
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2001
Many useful tips on entertaing in Barefoot's usual simple and elegant style. Very organized with many wonderful recipes.
The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion: The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook
By King Arthur Flour
Countryman Press - 2003
This is a very comprehensive book on baking from the people who make great flour. All of the recipes have been well tested and they have a web site for questions, information and for buying ingredients and equipment for baking. I have made many recipes from this book and all have been great.
Rose's Christmas Cookies
By Rose Levy Beranbaum
William Morrow Cookbooks - 1998
This is my favorite cookie cookbook. Like all of Rose's cookbooks her recipes are very well tested and all turn out perfectly. She gives all her recipes in both volume and weight, which I love. Every Christmas my daughter and I make 500 to 600 cookies,many recipes come from this book. It has the best rugalech recipe ever.
Great book.
Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2006
Another great book by the Barefoot Contessa. Very organized with great recipes and beautful pictures. The recipe for asian salmon is really great.
Ciao Italia
By Mary Ann Esposito
William Morrow Cookbooks - 1991
I first heard of Maryann Esposito on PBS but it was the recipe Orsi piccoli (Little Bears) that made me buy the book (no internet in 1991). It was a recipe for little sweet bread bears, but this book had so many more great recipes. A stuffed bread called broccoli roll has become a family favorite. A well worn book.
Barefoot Contessa Family Style: Easy Ideas and Recipes That Make Everyone Feel Like Family
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2002
I love all of the Barefoot Contessa's cookbooks but this is one I have used the most. Many of the recipes fit nicely into our way of cooking and eating. The brown rice,tomatoes and basil salad and the wheatberry salads are great additions to my barbecue menus. The homemade marshmallows are fantastic.
Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2008
This is the newest of all her books so I haven't made many of her recipes. I did make the date nut spice bread and it was wonderful. There are many more great recipes that I want to try very soon. The book has many useful tips for cooking and entertaining.
How to Bake: Complete Guide to Perfect Cakes, Cookies, Pies, Tarts, Breads, Pizzas, Muffins,
By Nick Malgieri
William Morrow Cookbooks - 1995
This book is aptly named, it covers all different kinds of baked goods. The book is very well organized into 9 sections. Each section begins with a list of all the recipes for that particular baked good. The recipes are clear an easy to follow. Many techniques are explained and many tips given. I have made many recipes from this book and they were all great.
The Bread Bible
By Rose Levy Beranbaum
W.W. Norton & Co. - 2003
Like all of rose's books it is very well tested and covers a wlde range of breads. I own this book for a few years but it wasn't until I took a bread baking course that I started reading this book cover to cover. It has alot of useful information about the essentials of baking bread.She guides us through all the steps for each bread and gives us many tips for solving problems if they arise. All the recipes I have made have beenvery good.
Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook
By Zoe Coulson
Hearst Books - 1980
This is one of the first cookbooks that I bought when I started to cook. It was a great learning tool. Every recipe has a picture of the completed dish. Many have step by step illustrated instructions to help guide you. Even though the book is thirty years old, I still make many of the recipes.There is an updated version, and I recommend this book to any new cook.
Louisiana Real and Rustic
By Emeril Lagasse
William Morrow Cookbooks - 1996
This cookbook gives you the flavors of Louisiana in a clear and concise manner. Recipes are easy to follow and delicious.The Jambalaya recipe is one that I make often. It uses familiar ingredients with a twist.
The Pie and Pastry Bible
By Rose Levy Beranbaum
Scribner - 1998
Rose Levy Beranbaum is my favorite cookbook author.She taught me to bake cakes with her Cake Bible and this book is like taking a course in pastry making.As is her usual style, she gives you all the information to understand what to do and why you should do it. If all you want are recipes that are quick and simple this book is not for you, but if you want to learn to bake the best pastry,enjoy.
Rose's Heavenly Cakes
By Rose Levy Beranbaum
Wiley - 2009
Rose Levy Beranbaum does it again. I waited all summer (2009) for this book,but it was worth it. The book is beautiful with pictures of all the cakes. It isn't as instructional as her bible books, but still has the recipes in both volume and weights. If you go to Rose's website there a link for a bake along for her book. Every week the bakers who signed up, bake a another cake from the book. They give their take on the recipes with reviews on how it tastes. All of the cakes I have made were spectacular.
The Silver Palate Cookbook
By Julee Rosso, Sheila Lukins, Michael McLaughlin
Workman Publishing Company - 1982
In the 80's this was the it cookbook,it changed the way we thought about food. We were encouraged to try new foods and combinations. Everyone was talking about the book but more importantly they were cooking new recipes. I still make many of them today.
Martha Stewart's Pies & Tarts
By Martha Stewart
Clarkson Potter - 1992
This was the book that first got me started baking tarts. It has many beautiful pictures,enticing you to bake. The instructions are well written and easy to follow. I still make many of the recipes in this book.
At Home with Michael Chiarello: Easy Entertaining
By Michael Chiarello, Karl Petzke
Chronicle Books - 2005
This a beautiful book with many pictures of the finished dishes. The chapters are divided by courses with clear and concise directions. There are also cooking notes, entertaining notes and wine notes for most of the recipes. The last chapter is entertaining 101, information to make you a great host at your next party.
The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook
By Martha Stewart Living Magazine
Clarkson Potter - 2000
If you love Martha Stewart's magazine than this is a good book for you. It is a compilation of recipes from the first ten years of her magazine. The best of the best.
Celebrations, Italian Style: Recipes and Menus for Special Occasions and Seasons of the Year
By Mary Ann Esposito, Tomie dePaola
Hearst Books - 1995
Maryann Esposito takes her knowledge of Italian cooking and give it a contemporary flair. The recipes are clear and easy to follow. Each recipe has notes of additional information and some have menu suggestions. There are many recipes for holidays and special occasions.
Cookies Unlimited
By Nick Malgieri
William Morrow Cookbooks - 2000
I love cookies and Nick Malgieri is one of my favorite cookbook authors. The book is divided into typrs of cookies, such as bar, drop. rolled, piped,filled, etc. Many great recipes to choose from.
Martha Stewart's Hors d'Oeuvres Handbook
By Martha Stewart
Clarkson Potter - 1999
This is a thick book, half of it contains photographs of the beautiful hors d' oeuvres she makes. She gives you many recipes for making them, but ideas for the many edible bases that can be filled with delectable morsels of food.
How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques
By Steven Raichlen
Workman Publishing Company - 2001
This is a great book for learning how to grill. Steven Raichlen is a master and knows how to teach his craft. Every recipe has very detailed instructions, with many pictures of the different steps and techniques.
Bon Appetit Weekend Entertaining: A Cookbook, Menu Planner & Entertaining Sourcebook for Occasions Large or Small, Casual or Elegant
By Bon Appetit Editors
Pantheon - 1999
I love this book because it gives me inspiration and ideas for entertaining. There is a section with tips on how to plan and give a great party. The book is divided into different types of parties, from casual to very special occasions. There are menus and recipes for each occasion, also included are menu options. Beautiful pictures and a countdown of things to do each day, help you plan a great event.
The Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook
By Julee Rosso, Sheila Lukins, Sarah Leah Chase
Workman Publishing Company - 1985
This is the follow-up cookbook to the Silver Palate. More great innovative recipes from these two talented cooks.
One of my most beloved appetizer recipes is from this book. The recipes are as good today as they were yesterday.
Nella Cucina: More Italian Cooking from the Host of Ciao Italia
By Mary Ann Esposito, Lauren Jarrett
Morrow Cookbooks - 1993
Maryann's 1st book,Ciao Italia was so good that I bought her next book,Nella Cucina. It is another well used book. I have made many of its great recipes.
Baking with Julia Savor the Joys of Baking with America's Best Bakers
By Dorie Greenspan
William Morrow Cookbooks - 1996
This book is based on her PBS series of the same name. It is a good book because the recipes are from many different wonderful bakers. It is large book with instructions that are clearly written, it also has many beautiful pictures. If you can find the DVD with PBS series, it's great to watch bake with Julia.
1001 Cookie Recipes: The Ultimate A-To-Z Collection of Bars, Drops, Crescents, Snaps, Squares, Biscuits, and Everything That Crumbles
By Gregg R. Gillespie, Peter Barry
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers - 1995
Very comprehensive book on cookies. The directions are concise, with few tips or baking notes.
Alfred Portale's Gotham Bar and Grill Cookbook
By Alfred Portale
Broadway - 1997
This is a beautiful book, with many pictures of the finished dish and some of the techniques. Some of the recipes are complicated, but you can make parts of the dish or just simplify the recipes.
Amy's Bread
By Amy Scherber, Toy Kim Dupree
Cookbooks - 1996
If you live or visit New York City then you must buy some of Amy's bread, it's so good. Then you will run out to buy her book. Even though it was written more than ten years ago, the book with its recipes for hearth-style loaves is very current. The recipes are easy to follow and delicious.
Baking Bread: Old and New Traditions
By Beth Hensperger, Joyce Oudkerk
Chronicle Books - 1992
This is a very nice on baking bread. Techniques are explained in the front of the book. Some interesting bread recipes with suggested variations.
Bernard Clayton's Cooking Across America: Cooking With More Than 100 of North America's Best Cooks and 250 of Their Favorite Recipes
By Bernard Clayton
Simon & Schuster - 1993
This is a unique book in that the recipes are from home cooks across the nation. The author traveled for years to capture the flavor and spirit of American Cooking.
The Bon Appetit Cookbook
By Barbara Fairchild
Wiley - 2006
This is a very comprehensive cookbook, with over 1200 of Bon Appetit best recipes from many years of it Magazine. The recipes are organized well in the many chapters. They are well written and tested. The book includes many tips and techniques.
A Baker's Tour: Nick Malgieri's Favorite Baking Recipes from Around the World
By Nick Malgieri
William Morrow Cookbooks - 2005
This book on baking is different in that all of the recipes are from outside the United States. Nick Malgieri has adapted them for American use with wonderful results.When you read this book its like taking a trip to the bakeries of the world.
Bittersweet: Recipes and Tales from a Life in Chocolate
By Alice Medrich, Deborah Jones
Artisan - 2003
If you like chocolate, not milk chocolate, but bittersweet or semisweet chocolate than this book is for you. Besides the wonderful recipes, she teaches you everything you need to know about chocolate. Many tip, techniques and chocolate secrets.
Ciao Italia in Tuscany: Traditional Recipes from One of Italy's Most Famous Regions
By Mary Ann Esposito
St. Martin's Press - 2003
While there are many books on Tuscan cooking, Maryann's stories make you feel like you are traveling with her through Tuscany. The recipes are simple and delicious.
Ciao Italia in Umbria: Recipes and Reflections from the Heart of Italy
By Mary Ann Esposito
St. Martin's Press - 2002
Umbrian cooking is not as widely known as some other regions of Italy, a good reason to buy the book. With this book Maryann takes us through Umbria with her stories of the people, the food and land that they love.
Lidia's Family Table: More Than 200 Fabulous Recipes to Enjoy Every Day-With Wonderful Ideas for Variations and Improvisations
By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
Knopf - 2004
This is everyday Italian cooking at its best. Lidia gives you wonderful recipes that you can make your own. The recipes are a bit long because she explains everything, and gives you ideas for many variations.
Nathalie Dupree's Southern Memories: Recipes and Reminiscences
By Nathalie Dupree, Tom Eckerle
University of Georgia Press - 2004
Before Paula Deen, there was Nathalie Dupree, who gave us our first view of Southern living and Southern food. Her recipes are easy and delicious.
The Paris Cookbook
By Patricia Wells
William Morrow Cookbooks - 2001
Patricia Wells takes you on a trip through Paris with her own personal stories and recipes from the people and places she has visited.
The Hay Day Country Market Cookbook
By Kim Rizk
Workman Publishing Company - 1998
Unfortunately this market is no longer in business, but the simple ,fresh food they served lives on in this cookbook.
The Perfect Recipe
By Pam Anderson Executive Editor, Judith D. Love
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - 2001
This is a very good book. The recipes are tested many times to make sure they work and taste good. The author takes everyday foods and perfects them.
Lidia's Italy: 140 Simple and Delicious Recipes from the Ten Places in Italy Lidia Loves Most
By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, Tanya Bastianich Manuali
Knopf - 2007
This is a companion book to Lidia's PBS series Lidia's Italy. It is divided into ten chapters, each a different city in Italy. Lidia gives you some information about the region and the recipes that can be found there. Her daughter, Tanya, an art historian, gives a tour of some of the area's cultural treasures. It really is a good book to capture the flavor and feel of Italy.
Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill Cookbook: Explosive Flavors from the Southwestern Kitchen
By Bobby Flay
Clarkson Potter - 2007
I love to go to Mesa Grill for dinner. Now I could bring the flavor of Bobby Flay's southwestern kitchen to mine. The recipes are a bit complicated with sauces, garnishes and extra components. Also some of the ingredients may be hard to find. But if you get past all that, you will have some very flavorful food.
Best of Arizona: Recipes from Arizona's Favorite Resorts & Restaurants
By Marjorie Scaffidi
Treasure Chest Books - 1992
My husband traveled to Arizona and bought me this book, so I could make him some of the food he tasted. Most of the recipes are simple to make even though they are chef's recipes. Many of them give you the flavors of the southwest.
Emeril's Creole Christmas
By Emeril Lagasse
William Morrow Cookbooks - 1997
This is a sweet little book that gets you in the mood for the holidays. Its takes you from Christmas eve dinner through New Year's Day, with many holiday recipes and tips in between.
Pure Chocolate: Divine Desserts and Sweets from the Creator of Fran's Chocolates
By Fran Bigelow, Helene Siegel
Broadway - 2004
This is a book about all kinds of chocolate, white, bittersweet,semisweet and milk chocolate. The author of the book is a chocolatier so she knows something about making great chocolate. Lucky for us she is willing to share.
Fiesta Latina: Fabulous Food for Sizzling Parties
By Rafael Palomino, Arlen Gargagliano
Chronicle Books - 2006
This us a small book, but it's packed with flavors of latin cooking.
The Blue Strawbery Cookbook: Cooking (Brilliantly) Without Recipes
By James Haller
Harvard Common Pr - 1978
This book tries to be different by telling you that it is about cooking without recipes. Each chapter tries to explain the concept of how each course is prepared. It doesn't list the ingredients, but explains how to make the dish in a "short story style". The author encourages you to use different ingredients and be creative. I think the concept is good but not everyone would like this type of cookbook.