4 comments about Real Food for Healthy Kids: 200+ Easy, Wholesome Recipes.

1. wonderful recipes. great for kids and adults. lots of time saving ideas. I especially loved the cake recipes!



2. My kids and I love this cookbook. the recipes are delicious and easy to make. Kids do NOT need to only eat pasta and PB & J's. if you expose them to healthy flavorful foods early on they'll have a sophisticated pallet for life. My mother always cooked us whatever she liked and we loved it too. the recipes in this book are good for everyone in the family. This way everyone can eat together - as they should!!!



3. "Real Food" is a rare example of a book related to child-rearing that manages to be warm and personal without being ingratiating or dishonest. You won't find any spinach hiding in the brownies here -- just delicious recipes that that will encourage your kids to enjoy authentic, healthy food. I highly recommend it.



4. I got this book for my wife to help with menus for two picky boys. She is using it every week now and the kids love it. And the best part is, the meals are really good.

5 comments about Everyday Raw.

1. This is a great raw foods book! Ice Cream Cones on page 134 has a duplicate set of instruction from another recipe repeated, and so here's the fix for that errata. The recipe directions were sent to me by Gibbs Smith Publishers:
   
   
   Blend all ingredients in Vita-Mix until smooth. Spread thinly into 5 to
   6-inch rounds on dehydrator Teflex sheets. Dehydrate 5¬6 hours until dry but very pliable. Remove from Teflex sheets and shape each round into cones; press edges together. If needed, use paper clips to secure the edges. Place cones on dehydrator screens and dehydrate for 24 more hours until crisp.



2. I must say, this is the absolute best raw recipe book on the market to date, the recipes are easy to follow and taste great. I've dipped and dabbabled in the wonderful world of raw for years (since 2000)but didn't have the staying power to hang in there. I would get tired of the long preparation of this meal and that meal and would eventually throw my hands up and return to S.A.D. hey after all it's quick, tasty and easy.(it'll kill you though) HOWEVER WITH THIS BOOK MY WEAK MINDEDNESS IS OVERRRRRRRRR. over 90% of the recipes in this book taste wonderful and are NOT time consuming to prerpare even my 14 and 17 year old sons like most of the items I've prepared from this book the only reason it's not all is because they haven't tried all of the one's I've made but of the one's they have tried they come back over and over for more. Thanks so much Matthew for making my and my mom's transition to 100% live easier; this book is truy a blessing in my home. I also purchased Matthew and Sarma's book Raw Food Real World and while the recipes in that book are very tasty as well again the time it takes to prepare alot of the items were more than I could stand. However now that Everydayraw has taken me to the next level I will go back to that book and try out some more recipes. Man the two of them surely know how to marry favors and I am one that really likes well seasoned food and that's what most of the other raw food books are missing but these guys rock with the raw food.



3. I purchased this book mainly because I already have "Raw Food Real World" Cookbook by Matthew Kenney and Sarma Melngailis. Because I Love the first one so well, I didn't give a second thought to purchasing this one, and I'm glad I did, I love it! It has 144 pages of really Fabulous recipes, and in this book he focuses on keeping it simple which is just what I wanted. There are plenty of blended & squeezed smoothies and juices in this book such as: The Blue Green, which is one of his personal smoothie favorites. Immunity, another smoothie high in antioxidants, almond milk, brazil nut milk, Triple C, a favorite morning smoothie, chocolate-cherry smoothie, Vanilla-E, The Classic, with Strawberries and Bananas and Almond Milk, Banana Almond Butter Cup Smoothie, Mango Raspberry, Mint Cacao Cooler, The Muscle, a great protein smoothie, and one called the Best Smoothie, similar to a Pina Colada. Also, Raspberry-Agave Lemonade, Hot Ancho Cacao, Sweet Green Juice, Grapefruit Cleanser Juice. He also has a chapter with snacks such as Citrus Maple Granola, Mixed Candied Nuts, Curried Cashews, Blueberry-Almond Granola Bar, Raspberry Vanilla-Almond Granola, Chili-Lime Macadamia Nuts, Chocolate-Ginger Macaroons, Vanilla-Almond Macaroons, Super Goji-Cacao-Maca Bars, Almond Crumbs, Raw Chocolate Chip Cookies, Raw Chocolate Chips. Then he has an unbaked section which includes Cumin Flatbread, Herb Crackers, Golden Tortilla Chips, Za'atar Flatbread, Bar-B-que Crisps. Then there is the next section called Starters which include Blueberry Pancakes, Eggplant Bacon, Cucumber-White Grape Gazpacho, Portobello Sausage, Tofu Scrambler, Sesame Cashew Dumplings, Miso Soup, Silken Tofu, Marinated kalamata Olives, Savory Crepes. Then the Spreads, Dips & Sauces such as Chipotle Mayo, Red Chili-Pineapple Dipping Sauce, Sweet Chili-Lime Sauce, Macadamia Hummus, Salsa Fresca, Mango Guacamole, Macadamia Feta Cheese, Macadamia Red Pepper Cheese, Pineapple Mango Salsa, Black Olive Pesto, Lemon-Thyme Yogurt Sauce, Roasted Pepper Hummus With Lime, Chili, & Sour Cream. Then come the Salads with Blue Green Salad, Spicy Almond Dressing, Seaweed Salad, Ginger-Miso Dressing, Potato Salad, Potato Salad Dressing, Creamy Sesame Dressing, Thai Salad, Creamy Thai Dressing, Tabbouleh, Sweet Miso Dressing, Blood Orange-Crispy Fennel Salad, & Blood Orange Dressing. Then the Larger Dishes such as Tomato Basil & Ricotta Pizza, Mango Wraps, Portobello Fajitas, Pasta Primavera, Baked Macaroni & Cheese, Rosemary-Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Portobello Steaks, Summer Rolls, Tomato Torta With Pesto & Macadamia Ricotta, & Pad Thai. Then comes Desserts such as Mocha Pudding, Vanilla Creme, Strawberry Tart, Agave Caramel, Mocha Glaze, Sweet Cacao Sauce, Coconut Creme Anglaise, Pumpkin Pie With Thyme, Lemon Macaroon Cheesecake Tartlet, Chocolate hazelnut Tart, Chocolate Cookie Crumbs, Key Lime Tartlets, Vanilla Mint Flan, Frozen Goji Berry Souffle, Maca-Cacao Truffles, Warm Fudge Brownie, & Hot Fudge. Then the Ice Cream section with Mint Cacao Chip Ice Cream, Cherry Chip Ice Cream, Chocolate pieces, Ice Cream Cones, Strawberry Sorbet, Creamsicles, Almond Gelato, Banana Almond Butter Cup Ice Cream, & Almond Butter Cups. Now these recipes seem like they would be full of fattening, unhealthy ingredients by reading these recipe titles, but keep in mind that everything is his healthy version of each of these recipes using totally different ingredients than the typical recipe would require. I am extremely impressed with this Raw Foods Book, this would be a great book to have to encourage you to eat healthier and get a very tasty mouth watering experience that is good for you at the same time! I highly recommend to those of you who are trying to decide if this book is for you that you try it, it is also inexpensive and a great buy, so you can't go wrong with this one! I only purchase gifts for others that I myself love, and this would be a perfect consideration in that respect also!



4. This is a great recipe book! I bought this book and Ani's Raw Food Kitchen: Easy, Delectable Living Foods Recipes by Ani Phyo after an extensive research. I recommend anybody who is serious about raw food to buy this book.



5. Very creative recipes - this guy gets the official "favorite raw chef" rating, he is ahead of his time as far as recipe creation.

5 comments about Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone.

1. I fell in love with Deborah Madison's food when I lived in San Francisco. Greens remains one of my favorite restaurants in the U.S. and its relationship to the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center & Green Gulch Farm have inspired the world's finest chefs to try and imitate. Her whole foods approach has an economy about it, while maintaining a culinary elegance. This is a vegetarian cookbook to be sure, but the foundation it lays for serious cooks and prospective culinary professionals is invaluable. Her breakdown of tools and staple ingredients are where I point folks wanting to start their gastronomic endeavors off correctly with the fewest mistakes. How often have we bought something or loaded up on things, only to think later "I wish I would have done that differently." If you are interested in healthy or vegetarian cooking this is the 'must have' cook book.



2. I'm a member of a food coop (in Minnesota) and eat vegetarian 3-4 days a week. Having said that I can't really recommend this book. Too many recipes with too many ingredients with too many sauces/salsas that have to be made along with the main part of the recipe in order to make the food palatable, plus too few recipes for everyday use. Maybe if I had all day to cook and lived in California where I'd have easier access to the ingredients I could recommend this book.
   
   Although not a vegetarian cookbook, I'd recommend "Classic Indian Cooking" by Julie Sahni which contains many vegetarian recipes, some simple, some complex, some vegan and some with milk and butter along with meat recipes as well.



3. This wonderful cookbook is great for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Gives great ideas, has been a wonderful addition to my cookbook collection. It is well-used.



4. Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone
   
   This is a great reference book and I will use the recipes in it from time to time. I do find some of the recipes a bit labor intensive. However the information on the right herbs and wines to pair with vegetables is a big help!



5. I recently purchased this cookbook and am overwhelmed at the variety and quality of the recipes. It quickly has become my default wedding/housewarming gift. I use a recipe from this book at least three times a week, and my family has raved about every recipe I have tried. The mushroom stock is easy and useful, and the frittatas are wonderful. For each recipe, Madison adds a slight twist which makes all the difference - paprika on stuffed peppers, mint in mushroom ragout, etc. I highly recommend this cookbook. It has improved the quality of my cooking significantly.

5 comments about Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule.

1. The cupcakes are delicious, moist, and gorgeous; there's a wonderful variety of offerings from the very easy to the uber-fancy, but Isa and Terry make it all very non-threatening. I made a batch of the lemon macadamia nut cupcakes for a party not long ago and they were devoured instantly; only my lactose-intolerant bf knew that they were vegan. The cupcakes I've made have all turned out to be moist (it's worth saying twice) and flavorful, and could stand alone nicely without frosting--strong words from someone who normally ignores the cake entirely in favor of the frosting! The authors pay scrupulous attention to flavor, mouthfeel, and texture in all recipes; the tips on baking and where to find some of the less everyday materials or ingredients are also very helpful.
   
   Some of the ingredients can be hard to find for some of the recipes (I have torn the greater St. Louis area apart trying to find vegan cream cheese, to no avail), but that's sort of to be expected. Bottom line, I'll happily live in any world these ladies decide to take over.



2. i've been a vegetarian for about 10 years now and am also an avid baker. although i'm not vegan i have been trying to only bake vegan desserts. I got this cookbook for christmas and I haven't been disappointed. easy recipes, lot of variations and lots of pictures, which i think are a necessity for cookbooks. everyone that i've baked vegan cupcakes for has loved them. i would definitely recommend this to anyone, vegan or not.



3. I was craving cupcakes, and remembered seeing Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World at Whole Foods. So I ran over there and got the book as well as the ingredients to make the basic vanilla cupcakes, and the vegan cream cheese frosting (lemon variation). I doubled the amount of lemon zest in the frosting (1 T wasn't enough) - and the cupcakes are unbelievably good. I just ate two! Highly recommend this book. Only problem is deciding what to make next...



4. This book is the best thing that has happened to me in a long time! Not only am I vegan, but I'm allergic to gluten/wheat products! And she includes a scrumptious vanilla and chocolate version of GF cupcakes in here! All a GF vegan has to do is substitute the GF cupcakes into any of the recipes in here and voila! An amazing cupcake that all your friends at work will ask you to make over and over..yes, they're vegan...and many "non-veg-savvy" are frightened at the prospect...but these cupcakes are total, over the top crowd pleasers!!! Even my boyfriend likes them...and he's a real "I like meat" kinda guy...if this book can win him over, it can win your man over too...not to mention your boss, your friends, your relatives...the list goes on and on and on...buy it...it's the best book I've bought in a long long time! You will not be disappointed.



5. I cannot get enough of these cupcakes! I just made the simple chocolate cupcakes with the rich chocolate mousse topping last night. I jazzed them up with a little layer of homemade raspberry jam. There are not only plenty of unique and delicious (not to mention easy) recipes, they almost all have variations to try out. The ingredients are easy to keep on hand, the variety has something for everyone, and the cream cheese frosting is to die for!
   Also, the writing is funny and fun, like cooking with your best girlfriend. My husband and I make these cupcakes together and in less than an hour we have cupcakes that are cooled and iced. We always laugh about the commentary in the recipes, my favorite being, "use a double boiler to melt down the chocolate chips. Of course, you don't have a double boiler, so use..." I just love that feel of these cupcakes as something you do with family and friends, not in a formal kitchen.
   Enjoy!

5 comments about The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread.

1. Although I have been a long-time satisfied customer, I now feel an obligation to warn you against purchasing this from Amazon. If you do, you will risk having an experience similar to mine and receiving a damaged book, or even receiving two damaged books.
   
   Based upon two successive experiences, it appears that Amazon has either (1) discontinued its policy of using shrink-wrap to protect its books or (2) it continues to have such policy but does not adequately supervise its shipping department personnel so that books will not be unnecessarily damaged. In either event, its efforts to protect books during transit does not appear to be as reliable as before.
   
   Initially, I decided to order Peter Reinhart's outstanding book from Amazon after seeing it at a local book store. I placed the order in the usual manner and was somewhat surprised to discover that inadequate packing material was used. Because the book was not protected with shrink wrap, it slid back and forth within the delivery box during transit which caused a signifigant rip in the upper right corner of the dust jacket, slight damage to the corner of the book, and damage to the entire front of the dust jacket when it was polished by the friction of rubbing against the interior of the cardboard box during transit.
   
   Alright, I know what you're thinking. It's a minor item. Just contact customer service.
   
   I did that. The first email response that I received was that Amazon did not have any control over the use of plastic wrap and that it was up to the book suppliers to do so.
   
   Since the manner in which earlier books were consistently wrapped in shrink-wrap and the wrapping appeared to be similar regardless of the publisher, the initial answer that I received from customer service made no sense to me.
   
   I pressed on. I contacted Amazon's customer service again and explained the situation. This time, I was told that Amazon would send a replacement and was told "please be assured that this will be packaged securely as you expect."
   
   This sounded good. I wrapped the first book, stood in line at the post office, and mailed it back.
   
   When the second book arrived, it, too, was packed loosely with no protective shrink wrap. As a result, the dust cover is somewhat polished, but not as bad as the first one. The book, however, does not have the same appearance as a new, undamaged one.
   
   I sent another email to Amazon's customer service and waited for a reply. None came, or at least none has so far.
   
   I'm going to keep the book, and I am not going to waste any more time at the post office. Peter Reinhart has some excellent ideas and I'm grateful that he shared them. The text within the book is well worthwhile. When I buy another book, however, I'm going to buy it at my local book store.



2. I'm an idiot baker, but a little snooty about the bread I buy. So when I turned out the best baguette I've probably ever had, inside or outside of France, I knew this was a keeper. The book looks too pretty to be useful, but it rocks. Want the chemistry behind baking? Check. Want helpful photos demonstrating technique? Check. Want recipes that make complex and amazing bread? Yeah, baby. I've also made perfect, chewy bagels, gorgeous Pain a l'Ancienne, and challah. One of the best features of this book is that Reinhart doesn't tell you to go out and buy a bunch of bread tools: the back of a good cookie sheet will serve fine as a baking stone (just one of many examples). I'm all for that.
   
   Downside: we're looking at potential double digits weight gain here. Sigh.



3. The Bread Baker's Apprentice book is a good entry book for bread baking.
   
   Most recipes are based on commercial yeast (as opposed to sourdough), making them more suitable for most readers. Those who are looking for sourdough based recipes should look elsewhere (for example Daniel Leader's Bread Alone).
   
   My favorite recipe are bagels. Simple and great tasting. Bagels recipe alone is enough to buy this book. Retarded baguet taste great too. There are many recepies from around the world.
   
   If you don't want to mess with sourdough, than I highly recomend this book.



4. Good book about bread baking. this is the second book i have read on this subject and this one is much better than the other. i followed the focaccia recipe and it turned out GREAT!!
   
   Next recipe to try is the stollen.



5. I doubt anyone will read this review, but this book is great. Buy it if you want to know about baking high quality breads.
   
   The only thing I'd like to see in it would be more information on technique. For example, the correct way to kneed or other "assumed" skills.

5 comments about ChefMD's Big Book of Culinary Medicine: A Food Lover's Road Map to Losing Weight, Preventing Disease, and Getting Really Healthy.

1. Excellent information-- delicious recipes easy to follow
   
   Highly recommend it for anyone wanting to eat healthier.



2. Just when you think you know alot along comes Chef M.D. and adds valuable info in an easy fun way. This is a terrific book if you want to do easy things to eat for good health.



3. Thanks for bringing this topic into mainstream western medicine ~ most of what I learned about nutrition over the last 30+ years can be attributed to studying cultures who base their diet on their own medical systems, such as Indian cooking, based on Ayurvedic medicine. Books I read in the seventies and cooks I worked alongside of, knew the usefulness of each ingredient. It is truly amazing what we can do when we 'let food be our medicine'. I look very much forward to reading your book (will give it five stars for the idea alone), and having a blog to continue this evolving discussion is brilliant ~ see you there!



4. Unfortunately I found the Big Book of Culinary Medicine to be mainly boring with little new information to offer.



5. Found the book to be a little basic and was hoping for many more recipes. Good for folks who don't understand what their high sugar, high fat, low fiber diet is doing to them.

5 comments about Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again.

1. It's my first Ina's cookbook and I like it very much. Nice pictures and great but not difficult recipes!



2. Outrageously and deliciously seductive color photos on each page!
   Recipes everyone loves, often with a little twist that just makes this comfort food even better, like the cole slaw that adds my favorite blue cheese, or roasted red potatoes with onions that come out of the oven looking just like the picture, or the lemon pound cake to die for. Each recipe is simple to follow, with fabulous results. And, the ingredients are things even my family eats.
   I ordered the book based on an on-line video clip of Nancy Soriano, editor of Country Living Magazine [...] who described the fabulous chocolate cake recipe she made for guests... from 'at home'. And, yes, it is fabulous. The frosting WOW!
   Paging through this book is a treat, just like the chicken salad and the cupcakes. The written text is exactly like listening to Ina on her show, same effortless style, smooth, relaxed and welcoming; as if she is at her Hamptons' door greeting you, baking a chicken and sharing her comforting space ~~ which she endearingly describes as: "Home is anywhere Jeffrey is".
   Nowadays, recipes can be found in just about any magazine, and all over the internet. But, the 'feel' of being 'at home' and the confidence to make a memorable family meal comes only from this chef I try to emulate...



3. because of this book i love to cook. i've seen her shows in passing on tv and changed the channel, never thought much of them. after trying many of these recipes, i can't get enough. the compliments are endless when ever i make anything from this book. if you don't consider yourself a cook, consider this book. it will change your mind. the recipes all have easy to find ingredients, are easy to make and they are truly recipes you will make again and again. i should warn in advance that if you make the peanutbutter frosted chocolate cupcakes people will devour them before you have a chance to blink:).



4. The recipes in this book are phenomenal. This cook book was recommended by a co worker and love that this is in my collection.



5. Book is excellent - easy to follow with great ideas. I loved Ina's introduction on all chapters.

5 comments about The South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook (The South Beach Diet).

1. Great receipes- so good I can serve them to my family and friends and they never know they are eaing healthy. It's not your typical diet plan- it is a way to improve and incorporate healthy eating into your lifestyle.
   
   I serve these receipes and no one would ever think they were diet receipes.



2. The recipes in this book are awesome (& you don't have to limit them to just summertime)! Meals are so flavorful & there's enough variety to satisfy any mood or pallette. I'm not very creative so tend to get in a rut with my meals, eating the same few things over & over, so it was fun to break out of that rut & be adventurous. So far I've found the recipes to be easy to follow & I've amazed myself that I was able to put together things that were so delicious! (Wow, that came out of MY kitchen?!) Friends & family are quite impressed! Even the salad dressings were so good! I was just going to use something bottled but thought I'd try one & it was so easy to make so now I use freshly made almost exclusively. My only complaint is that I've found a few of the ingredients difficult to find (my supermarket doesn't carry jicama, for example), but these recipes sure do make it easy & pleasurable to incorporate fresh, healthy meals into your life.



3. Four years ago we did the South Beach diet. I lost 30 pounds which I have been able to keep off for these four years. My wife did't do quite as well, but she has always felt better and had fewer incidents of acid stomach using these recipes. We constantly return to the diet because we feel better, but one of the problems of the early diet was the lack of nice and easy recipes. The first week of the diet is a chanllenge to the cook. These recipes are actually good and make the diet easier. We use them freqeuntly with guests and are asked to share the recipe. Basically they help us stay within the parameters of healthy eating advocated by the South Beach diet. We recommend this cook book whether or not you are on the diet.



4. Excellent year round breakfast dishes. Love the recipes that Arthur Agatston puts together. Tasty but not fattening. This is another of his great cookbooks



5. This cookbook has a lot of good ideas to go with for using with the South Beach Diet. If you need a cookbook to expand your horizons then this is the one for you. Worth taking a look into this book.....

5 comments about The Healthy College Cookbook: Quick. Cheap. Easy..

1. This is designed for a beginning cook and so, quite sensibly begins with some basic advice on stocking a kitchen with equipment and staples. Cooking terms are explained and safety information is also given.
   
   The recipes are clearly written (prep time is not given but it would be difficult for the authors to estimate how long it would take a beginning cook) and cover a nice range of difficulty and interests. I particularly liked that vegetarian recipes were included and that all recipes had nutrition information listed, both necessities for a (sometime) vegetarian who is usually on a diet.
   
   I bought this for my college student daughter in hopes of inspiring her to cook for herself, at least part of the time, instead of eating out. For others who are thinking about this as a gift for a student I would suggest adding some of the basic equipment or staples needed.



2. This is a great cookbook for college students who need a few basic recipes. Though it would probally be the most benefical for students who live in apartments because several recipes require oven and other cooking aplliances. Define cooking terms, uses of cooking applainces, and herbs that help to add flavor to meals. Have many sections like vegetarian food, deserts, sauces,soups, etc. I have tried a few recipes and they came out pretty good. Easy to follow and helpful. I would recommend it though sdavanced cooks probally already know this stuff, but I found it really helpful.



3. I usually don't bother writing reviews, because most likely anything I have to say, someone else has already said it. That may be true, but I have to add one more glowing review! I have had this cookbook for a few years now, and it has been my most coveted possession. I have since graduated, but this book comes with me fr every move, and survives every purge session.
   
   The recipes ALWAYS turn out, and I love that they have the nutrition information right there, easy to see. The greatest thing, is that no matter how bare my cupboards, I can always find a recipe in here that I can use or easily adapt! Just last night, I had pasta (but no sauce), garlic, canned green beans, tofu and peanut butter. Any yet, I made a complete meal! And it was delicious!
   
   I've never been great in the kitchen, but these recipes are easy, quick, cheap and require few ingredients. And, to top it off, they taste great. Yum!



4. This cookbook is perfect for a beginning cook, with either an unsophisticated palate, or a sense of adventure and a decent spice collection. I bought this for my step-daughter, and she was thrilled with the glossary of terms. Most of the dishes do not require a lot of imagination to envision, so the lack of photos is only a minor hardship. The biggest problem I found was, simply, the blandness of the flavors. I have two kids, ages ten and fourteen, and they could tell just by reading some of the recipes that they would have to be doctored, and had several creative suggestions on how to do that. All in all though, a nice jumping off point.



5. This is a good cookbook for beginners that has a pretty wide variety of recipies in it. It's got recipies for soups, meat, salads, pastas, desserts and more. Of course, if you're a very picky eater that only eats a few different things that means that many of the recipies will be useless to you, and you'll probably need a more specific cookbook (or more open pallette.) The recipies are generally easy to follow with a good glossary of cooking terms.
   
   The only big thing missing is an estimated time for all dishes. There is a symbol that appears if a recipie is "quick" but otherwise without going through and reading every recipie I won't know if it'll take a half hour or an hour and a half. A couple of the recipies didn't turn out very good but some turned out amazing, like the Presto Chicken Pasta, but you can generally look at the ingredients going into a dish and tell whether it's going to be bland or not. I had nearly no cooking experience when I got this book and it's helped me a lot, so I recommend it to anyone in my position, but if you're already a good cook you'll probably find the majority of the recipies exceptionally easy.

5 comments about The Ultimate Rice Cooker Cookbook : 250 No-Fail Recipes for Pilafs, Risottos, Polenta, Chilis, Soups, Porridges, Puddings and More, from Start to Finish in Your Rice Cooker.

1. This cookbook isn't the best, but it's not the worst either.
   
   I definitely do NOT think it is required reading if you own a rice cooker. Most of the stuff they mention is A) common sense, and B) depends on your exact rice cooker, so they can only tell you in general what to do.
   
   I find myself rarely looking at it. I find the writing style annoying - the authors gush endlessly about how rice cookers must have fallen from heaven. That combined with generic, common sense recommendations, does not make for a useful read.



2. The book was very good as to instructions and quite wide ranging in subject matter ( ie. selection of non- rice and rice based entrees).



3. I have had this for a couple of months now and have tried many recipes. All good. Some fantastic!
   I have no complaints but will say that I have an Z- induction cooker (lucky me) and the instructions that she gives to saute' in the cooker sometimes don't work out so well for me. It'll get real hot for about a minute and then go off and on, so it takes too long and then my cooker is too hot to reset to another setting. (which she suggest doing or let it finish in the cycle I'm sauteing in) It then won't work until it cools off for a couple of minutes. OR if I'm on the quick cook cycle for saute' for example, the cooker will go all the way through the cycle before the veggies are soft enough. If it's just an onion or garlic it's fine but more veggies don't work so well, and I'm just going to start using the pan for that step instead of the cooker. So I have to was a skillet. Big deal. Might just be my cooker I don't know.
   This book is really a must have for anyone with a rice cooker. Love it!



4. ...this might be the cookbook for you. But then why would you be fixing your food in a rice cooker, anyway?
   
   I bought this book looking for some simple but good recipes to use in my rice cooker. Instead, most recipes call for a lot of ingredients, including fresh, seasonal vegetables and expensive spices you're unlikely to stock in your pantry. Not to mention all of the dicing, slicing, pureeing, and grinding that goes into preparing these recipes. If you're going to put all of that effort into it, again, why would you use a rice cooker? Rice cookers are perfect for fast, easy meals! If you're like me, working full-time and looking for easy, affordable meals, this is not the cookbook for you.
   
   It's also not a good investment unless you have two rice cookers: an expensive fuzzy logic and a cheap On/Off rice cooker. I have a fuzzy logic rice cooker and after buying the book, I discovered that three chapters are for On/Off or Steamer rice cookers. That's three whole chapters you can't use if you have a fuzzy logic rice cooker, including the only dessert and whole meal chapters in the book! If you don't have a fuzzy logic rice cooker, beware because there's at least one chapter that is almost entirely devote to fuzzy logic rice cookers, so no matter what you will find that huge portions of the book are worthless to you.
   
   I don't see any good alternatives for rice cooker recipe cookbooks, so for now I'll stick to the Internet. I recommend you do the same.



5. Beautiful book with what looks to be fabulous and unusual recipes. Can't wait to use it.