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arabella
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The Cookbook Item
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Feb 23 08:38 UTC 1993 |
Here's a place to discuss cookbooks, both recent purchases, and
old favorites. You can brag about how large your cookbook collection
is, too.
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| 85 responses total. |
arabella
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response 1 of 85:
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Feb 23 08:47 UTC 1993 |
I've been on a cookbook binge for the last couple of months. My
two absolute favorites are both by Bert Greene. I bought "Greene
on Greens" because I'm trying to find ways to cook vegetables that
will actually appeal to me (I've disliked most vegetables all my life,
but my mom basically boiled everything in an incredibly boring
way). Then last week I got Greene's "The Grains Cookbook." I
can spend hours reading Greene's wonderful prose. Apparently,
he used to write plays, used to do all kinds of amazing things
besides cook. Actually, he died about five years ago, which made
me very sad when I realized it. The writing in here is very
vital. So far I have only tried one recipe, for a wonderful
risotto, but I have plans for lots more. For me, a good
cookbook is not just a collection of recipes, but also a
creator of atmosphere, spirit, whatever. Something that
implies that food is magic...
I'm reminded of when I first bought "The Vegetarian Epicure,"
back in 1982. The book and its author, Anna Thomas, seemed
surrounded by hazy golden light, evoking the wonders of
moderately counter-culture living, circa 1972 (when--I believe--the
book was published). I wanted to *be* Anna Thomas, and
to experience the wonders of her vegetarian food.
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chelsea
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response 2 of 85:
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Feb 23 13:54 UTC 1993 |
I'm not at all surprised you'd appreciate the descriptive or
prose part of a cookbook. You've always impressed me as a
"classical" type of person with a flair for the arts. Me,
on the other hand, I like to play kitchen chemist and gravitate
toward cookbooks which blend ethnic cusines and unlikely ingredients
to come up with something new. The narratives aren't what I'm
drawn to.
Leslie, next time you're in the cookbook section take a look at
"Cooking with Herbs" by Tolley. A little bit of history, travel,
gardening, and a lot of wonderful recipes. A bit pricey at $40
but a very nice book to have available, especially if you grow your
own herbs.
The last cookbook I purchased was "Cold-Weather Cooking" by Sarah
Leah Chase. A wonderful collection although (like her colleagues
Russo and Lukins) she tend to go well over the 30% suggested fat
content. But that's where you get to customize a recipe and make
it your own. I've also read that Russo ("The New Basics") is busy
putting together a new book with a healthy gourmet theme.
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mythago
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response 3 of 85:
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Feb 23 21:05 UTC 1993 |
Hunt down a copy of _The Surreal Gourmet: Real Food for Pretend
Chefs_ by Bob Blumer.
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denise
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response 4 of 85:
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Feb 28 21:07 UTC 1993 |
[Speaking of cookbooks, when's the Grex cookbook coming out in print? :-)]
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chelsea
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response 5 of 85:
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Mar 1 12:40 UTC 1993 |
Just yesterday I saw the "Cooking with Herbs" cookbook I mentioned
marked way down at Borders. It's with other sale items, on a table
at the top of the west stairway, and it's marked $14.95. Amazing.
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kentn
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response 6 of 85:
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Mar 1 16:03 UTC 1993 |
Dang, and I paid full price for it last year.
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mta
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response 7 of 85:
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Mar 1 18:05 UTC 1993 |
OOOps, thanks for reminding me to get back on that one! I need to find
access to a machine where I can print out files and such so that I can do some
editing.
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tsty
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response 8 of 85:
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Mar 2 18:03 UTC 1993 |
Hmmmmmmmmmmm, maybe, just maybe .......(thinking here) ...... uh, the
Grex Cookbook Could be introduced into the New Center application
process as a "go with." ...... hmmmmmmmm ........
creative thnkers couold run with that idea .......
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danr
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response 9 of 85:
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Mar 5 00:30 UTC 1993 |
One cookbook that I have that I like a lot is _James Beard's
American Cookery_. It also has a lot of history in it, as Beard
comments on early instances of a particular recipe and how the
recipe has changed over the years.
Another one that is destined to become a favorite around here is
_The Romanchik Family Slovak Cookbook_. My sister, a Slovak friend,
and I are working on it now.
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denise
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response 10 of 85:
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Mar 7 14:41 UTC 1993 |
I have my own version of an 'on-line' cookbook with recipes I've saved to
my computer from AOL and other places [haven't gotten many from here yet
since its long distance...]. I've put it into book form and now there are
3 books in print [mine, one I made for my parents and a modified one-->
vegetarian version for part of a christmas present I gave to my friends
[the Gursins, for those of you that may still remember them...]. If I
think of it, I'll bring it along with me when Imake it up to MI next weekend...
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chelsea
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response 11 of 85:
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Mar 15 23:27 UTC 1993 |
Laurel, I found "The Surreal Gourmet..." at Little Professor. What
a kicker cookbook. I especially like the recommendations for music
to play while preparing the meal. Nice touch.
Have you tried any of the recipes? Before I buy it I'd like to hear
the book is more than just a funky concept.
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mythago
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response 12 of 85:
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Mar 17 23:23 UTC 1993 |
I haven't tried them, but the guy who bought it for me did and
said they were good.
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tsty
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response 13 of 85:
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Mar 23 16:00 UTC 1993 |
Music while cooking - that's mandatory - thought it was common knowledge.
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chelsea
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response 14 of 85:
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Mar 23 18:11 UTC 1993 |
I ran across a cookbook the other day in Kitchen Port that came packaged
with a CD. The title was something on the order of Romantic Dinners for
Two. The usual war-horse music pieces were present, by a mostly under-known
string orchestra. The whole thing was shrink-wrapped so I was unable
to read any of the book. I'd suspect that anyone buying this probably
knows precious little about cooking and even less about music. But
probably subscribes to Cosmo, faithfully. ;-)
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