No comments about Cooking Light Soup (Cooking Light).

5 comments about Vegetable Soups from Deborah Madison's Kitchen.

1. This is a beautifully photographed cookbook on vegetarian soups that uses the most unusual groupings of vegetables that you can think of to toss into a pot. That being said, unless you are a hardcore vegan or veggie-head, then I would recommend you consider other, more mainstream writings.
   
   Deborah Madison has written a most unusual, yet laborious book of soups using a food group that does not get much respect in the world of carnivores. But that does not disrespect either the author/chef or the contents of this book. What this book does is give someone with a need or preference for veggies, a joy to own. Unfortunately, I am in the carnivore group and it does not appeal to my tastebuds.
   
   This is not a mainstream type of soup cookbook, so you might be a bit surprised when you see some of the recipes in this tome of healthy soup ideas. Names such as Green Coriander and Ginger Broth with Tofu Soup or Yellow Pea and Coconut Milk Soup with Spinach, Rice, and Spiced Yogurt Soup might be a wee bit more than what you might be used to eating.
   
   And to be fair, there were several basics like White Bean Broth and Hearty Mushroom Soup, among others, that were very much mainstream; but they were far and few in between.
   
   Regardless of which side of the vegetable patch you side with, this is an excellent book for tastebuds that demand only the purest or healthiest of soups. For the other side, you might want to try another soup book.
   
   Peace!



2. The first copy of this cookbook I purchased, I left for our daughter, who is a vegetarian, when we moved. After two weeks without it, I purchased my own copy. We are omnivores, but we love the healthy recipes in this book. The soups are often better the next day (for example, the lentil soup). I recommend the book enthusiastically.



3. I'm definitely not a vegetarian (and neither is Deborah Madison, as she writes in Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone)but this book is full of wonderful soups. We are huge soup eaters in our house and find that a bowl of soup, especially in the winter months is one of the easiest ways to eat healthy. So many of these soups go well as a prelude to a main course of perhaps simply roasted chicken or grilled salmon. Soup is usually economical; my husband packs a thermos of soup for lunch and avoids the vending machine/fast food routine. Vegetables are usually less expensive than meat or poultry and soups made from them really stretch your food dollar. Besides which, these soups just taste great. I didn't find any of them too terribly taxing in regards to preparation; and the most exotic ingredients were saffron and coconut milk. Easy to obtain if you decide you want to spend the money. I've stopped checking this book out from the library; I need to own my own copy!



4. OK, so I'm slow, or maybe just dull....I'm just now figuring out that Deborah Madison only writes vegetarian cookbooks! I say that to preface my review because this wonderful soup cookbook is just that - wonderful. Not in-your-face vegetarian, not roots and twigs, but just good recipes. I ran across it in the library and had to get my own copy. And the one I returned to the library was a good bit more food-stained than when I checked it out (sorry!)
   Yes, some of the recipes are a bit complicated. Yes, some are very time consuming. But it seems you get what you pay for, more or less, and the end product is so superior to other soups I've cooked that its worth the work. With a hubby who loves any and all things "soup", I have an extra incentive to try these too. So...if you have a soup fan in your house, or are one yourself, this book is worth purchasing. Start with the black bean, lime, and coconut milk soup. I'd almost pass up cake for a bowl!



5. This book has the best vegetarian soups! For soups you don't need another cookbook with this one . Every recipe I have tried has turned out great.

3 comments about The Best Soups & Stews: A Best Recipe Classic (Best Recipe Series).

1. This book lives up to the high regard I have for the Cooks Illustrated books. It not only gives good recipes, it teaches you to COOK!!! Reminds me of the saying that if you give a man a fish, he eats for a day, but teach him to fish and . . .



2. Watching America's Test Kitchen has tempted me to buy the cookbooks but the costs have always been too high. I am buying the soup and stew one just because it is the lowest price for a new copy.



3. If you like soups, this is the book for you. It explains in great detail from start to finish. I recommend this highly if you like healthy, nutritious and delicious cuisine.

5 comments about Book of Soups: More than 100 Recipes for Perfect Soups.

1. I purchased this book for my boyfriend for Christmas and we just cooked our first soup from it last night. We made the Vietnamese spinach and beef soup. It was delicious! Can't wait to try more of the recipes!



2. The Culinary Institute of America Book of Soups contains over 100 recipes for soups including soup basics, broths, hearty soups, cream soups, pureed soups, bisques and chowders, and cold soups. This book also includes recipes for a variety of soup accompaniments such as breads, biscuits, crackers, dumplings, and vegetable chips.
   
   As I was looking through this book, I realized how uneducated I was on the wide variety of soup possibilities. Though I enjoy soup, particularly homemade soup with fresh ingredients, I hadn't really ever considered the fact that soup came in so many different varieties, textures, and tastes.
   
   For best taste results, I suggest using garden fresh vegetables and fresh seafood. I also suggest making up large quantities of the various types of broths for use as you need them. As many of these soups are freezable, I am making up large qualities of different soups using fresh seasonal ingredients and then freezing them for later use. This way, I can have some really delicious soups even when the ingredients are no longer seasonally available.



3. This book is fantastic. In fact, the recipe for the most delicious soup I've ever had -- Minnesota Wild Rice Soup (with carrots, celery, leeks, heavy cream, and white wine) came out of this book. Of course, I may be a bit biased, being a Minnesota girl, but I don't think so.
   
   Dang it, now I'm hungry for soup.



4. I purchased this book a few years ago when it was first published. At that time, I let a lady at work borrow it because she really liked to cook soups. She made several recipes and told me how great they were every time. Needless to say, I never got the book back and have since left the company. Recently, I ordered another copy for myself and thus far, have made quite a few of the recipes, which were all great. The book is structured very well, easy to understand, and breaks down the different soup categories; e.g., cream, cold, etc. The photos are also very attractive. This is a Culinary Institute of America cookbook, so we know that it will be a great addition to any cook's library. I have several other books published by them: Vegetables; Grilling; One-dish Meals.



5. I am a pretty good cook and I can prepare very good soups. I bought this book without a lot of expectations. I made one soup: Mushroom - barley; to be honest I was surprised how good it came. It was very simple recipe, but taste was good enough for high rating restaurant.

3 comments about Lunch Boxes and Snacks: Over 120 healthy recipes from delicious sandwiches and salads to hot soups and sweet treats.

1. Lunch Boxes and Snacks: Over 120 healthy recipes from delicious sandwiches and salads to hot soups and sweet treats
   
   I ordered this book after seeing what fellow parents are sending to school with their kids. After looking through it, I think it will provide my soon to be kindergarten son healthier alternatives than other kids, but I only have one issue.
   
   Almost all the sandwich recipes have mayonnaise in them. Not only is this not a healthier spread, but we cannot have mayonnaise in the house due to a severe allergy to it. I gave the book three stars for a fattier spread than other ones and not having healthier alternatives for the spreads.



2. Lunch Boxes and Snacks: Over 120 healthy recipes from delicious sandwhiches and salads to hot soups and sweet treats is a great guide for the end of boredom at school and at work. Everything here is packable, nutritious and wonderfully good-tasting.
   
   The book includes information on how to keep food safe after it leaves your refrigerator and how to involve kids in the selection and process.
   
   But, be advised that it is great for adults also. We get bored with everyday same-old same-old, too!
   
   I purchased this book on a whim while food-shopping at a mega-market. I flipped through it over coffee and went right back to the aisles for some immediate meal transformations.
   
   I don't regret purchasing it!



3. This book is filled with lunches suitable for adults. Some are too intricate for children.

No comments about A Day at Elbulli.

5 comments about Tagine: Spicy Stews from Morocco.

1. I can't attest to the quality of all the recipes but I can say there should be a lot more of them!
   
   I tried one recipe and it turned out great...but I just wish there was more to the book.
   
   Oh well.



2. If you own a tagine, you need this book. If you don't own one, you are missing out. They are a great way to cook and the food is simply beautiful. If you love Mococcan food then this recipe book is a must have.



3. This book promises more than it delivers. It's colourful, interesting etc but the recipes can easily be downloaded from the web for free from a variety of sources. A waste of money.



4. We've been picking out a tagine or two to prepare each week... and so far all have been absolutely delicious! Because some of the items must cook slowly to enhance the flavors, I imagine it would be difficult to overcook anything-- yay for me! There is a middle eastern market near my house where I have been able to get some of the unique spices and ingredients. I have also found there are plenty of spice retailers online if you don't have access to such a market near you. The book admits there are some not-so-traditional tagines included, like the creamy shellfish tagine. Totally delicious, however. There was one recipe with saffron in the title, but saffron could not be found listed ANYWHERE in the recipe. I found that perplexing. Still, I rate this book 4-stars as it has brought new culinary delights to our table and tummies!



5. I have always loved Middle Eastern meals and have developed a fondness Moroccan food and all it's specialized cookware in particular. And cooking it and collecting the cookbooks. I am in the process of collecting all cookbooks from this author for the simple reason that you often hear "You eat with you eyes also." "Ghille," of Turkish descent understands this and her cookbook photos with the help of a series of professional photographers not only help you see your "goal" in a dish that may be brand new to you but they inspire you to try this dish as many of these photos will make you salivate with anticipation. And there is a picture for each dish. Visuals are an important feature I consider when determining which cookbook to purchase. Cooking starts long before you make a list of ingredients to purchase. Ghille instills a visual "crave" anticipation before the delightful aromas and tastes of the food are experienced. I like "prolonged anticipation" when I cook. Her cookbooks continue to get better.

5 comments about Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: A Cookbook for Preschoolers & Up.

1. My 3 (and a 1/2) year old son LOVES this book, LOVES IT! He really does sit me down and ask me to read it through as if it were a story book. We also cook out of it. He is always thrilled to make a new recipe. We've made 7 of them, and we've only had the book for 2 months. He can't get enough. Buy this book, really.



2. My son, 4, loves this book! He loves that he can follow a recipe without having to read and he loves the outcome. Really helps kids get in touch with how food is put together and the joy of the process. The pictures are cute and colorful and the recipes simple and delicious. With most food coming in boxes and bags, this a great way to introduce kids to home made food.



3. Because of this book, "bagel face" is the newest endearment in our house. Also because of this book, my three-year-old has cooked and eaten vegetables three times in the last week. Enough said.



4. My mom got me this book when I was a little kid - about 14 years ago, I think. This was my FAVORITE cookbook growing up, and I used it for years. All the recipes are healthy and delicious! The Zucchini Moons were my favorite, but I made just about every recipe in this book. Now I'm a college student, and my mom sent me my old copy in a package a few months ago. This morning I was inspired and whipped up some pretend soup, and it's still delicious :) this book is a classic that I will keep for many years to come.



5. Pretend Soup is great. Love the illustrations and kid friendly directions. The recipes are not only healthy, but they taste great! And a good variety too.
   
   Don't let the vegetarian status of this turn you off if you are die-hard meat eaters. Really who wants to deal with food safety of meats with preschoolers anyway?

5 comments about New England Soup Factory Cookbook: More Than 100 Recipes from the Nation's Best Purveyor of Fine Soup.

1. I love the recipes in this book...The clam chowder is fantistic with a different flavor of tarragon. I would recommend this book to anyone.



2. This was a great book, not for the waistline, but certainly for the tastebuds.



3. I haven't tried many of the recipes in the book yet, but so far so good! I picked the book based on all the other positive reviews, and from what I have seen so far they are very accurate. Almost all the recipes in the book look very appealing and I suspect the ones that don't appeal to me probably would to someone else (we all have our favorite or less then favorite ingredients!) The ones I have tried are delicious and I have a long list of other ones to try. I just finished making the spinach, feta cheese, and toasted pine nut soup. I was actually making it to have around the house for lunches this week but I tasted a bit when I finished and I'm just going to have to have it for dinner now! Yum! So far I have found everything very easy to make and the ingredients are easy to find with out a hassle at the grocery store. Its also been easy to make small changes to the recipes to make a few of them a little healthier. (I'm trying to do the Mediterranean diet thing, whole grains, lots of veggies, light on the meat, heavy creams, etc.) For example the soup I just made called for cream. I ended up just leaving it out because it was already a great texture and very tasty already. But I think the recipe would have been great with the cream or with half or whatever. Anyhow, if you like soup this one is worth buying!



4. Great reading and even better cooking. If you are an afcianado of cold soup's this is your cookbook. Interesting and inventive.



5. The New England Soup Factory cookbook is fantastic. I tried the Split Pea soup and it was so delicious - restaurant quality. I was so excited to serve it to my husband. He loved it! The recipes are easy to follow. I even resurrected my immersion blender. I highly recommend this book.

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. I bought the Zojirushi 10-cup induction rice cooker and love the rice it makes, but I was wondering if there was more I could do with it. Could I use it to cook other whole grains? What is the porridge cycle on it? Could I cook rice meals with other ingredients in the cooker (vegetables, meat)? For me and what I was wanting to know, this book FAR EXCEEDED my hopes and expectations! I learned that I can do many other things with my cooker - I can include vegetables and/or meat when cooking the rice.
   
   Here's what I like about this book:
   It explains how the various cookers work; it defines what a 'fuzzy oooker' is (they sense by weight rather than by temperature); it defines how the induction cookers work (a more advanced fuzzy machine in which the sensor unit also judges temperature and moisture proportions).
   It explains the importance of and how to wash/rinse the rice.
   It explains the benefits of soaking the rice.
   It explains the different varieties of rice (with sources for purchase)
   I never knew what exactly rice pilaf was - that's explained along with several pilaf recipes.
   There are a lot of insets strewn throughout the book ('to wash or not to wash', 'the Lundberg Family Rice Farm' (I love their basmati...), 'to salt or not to salt', toasting various nuts, blanching almonds, 'about ghee', 'risotto in the rice cooker', storing/freezing cooked rice, etc. etc.)
   
   With my variety of cooker which includes a porridge cycle, I was quite pleased to see that the authors found that this cycle can be used for the following:
   Risotto, homemade applesauce (you can make chunky or smooth, with or without sugar, with cinnamon - yum!), rice pudding, tapioca pudding, and hot breakfast cereals with various grains.
   
   I think this cookbook is just wonderful for anyone who has bought a fuzzy-logic cooker (basic or an induction-style) and is wanting to do more with it other than just make the basic rice. I particularly like all their explanations and how the information in the book is laid out.
   
   Thanks Beth & Julie! Great Book!



2. This is a great book for a person who wants to cook all kinds of rice and learn about every-thing that pertains to rice .I read the book twice and could not believe how much information I received .I am not a into a lot of cooking ,my wife is a super great cook ,but I wanted to do some rice and I got my eyes opened .Thank you very much for a beautiful book .I made some pudding and some brown rice and everything came out good . M.W.Tuch



3. Excellent book. Gives detailed explanation of various kinds of rice, and how to prepare them. Also provides information on how to best use your rice cooker. Lotsa recipes for various kinds of rice dishes.



4. 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.



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