2 comments about The Cheeses of Vermont: A Gourmet Guide to Vermont's Artisanal Cheesemakers.

1. For several years now I've been placing my order with Cabot Farms or Grafton village for some of their wonderful, aged, Vermont white cheddar cheese. Wisconsin not withstanding, I am convinced that the finest cheddar cheeses in the world come from Vermont, not to mention the fact that they are found in some of the most gorgeous settings to be found anywhere. You can't help but picture New England on a snowy winter's day.
   
   That's why this book was such a great read. I was already familiar with many of the Farms mentioned by Mr. Tewksbury, having visited many of their websites in the past, but I certainly found some new places I was not aware of. Learning about Vermont's cheesemakers and the products they lovingly craft makes eating them all the more enjoyable. Tewksbury tells us where and how each artisan makes cheese, which operations welcome visitors, and where to purchases the cheeses.
   
   Thank God for the Internet because no matter where you live you can have these wonderful products of Vermont sent right to your doorstep.



2. Henry Tewksbury spent the better part of his career as Peter Tewksbury in California, where he produced films and TV shows, such as Father Knows Best and My Three Sons. In his later years, he started a second life in Vermont as a cheese expert and consultant and to mark the change, reverted to his real first name, Henry. Tewksbury's transformation from Hollywood bigwig to small town cheese connoisseur is oddly parallel to that of many of the cheesemakers whose stories he tells in this informative and engaging book. While a few were born and raised on the farm, others left successful jobs in law, finance, teaching and other professions for the lure of healthy country living and the chance to try something new.
   
   There are several well written and comprehensive guides available for selecting and serving artisanal and farmstead cheeses from around the world, including many that are produced in the USA. What sets this book apart from all the rest is its focus on the hard-working people who have created these fine cheeses: how they got started in the business, how they learned about making cheese (often with the help of others who came before them, but sometimes also through trial and error), and what their daily life is like. Of course, there is also information about each producer's cheeses, along with Tewksbury's personal assessment. His admiration for what these cheesemakers have accomplished, their vision and passion, and the originality of each cheese shines through in the writing.
   
   Potential readers should understand that the book is a snapshot of Vermont's artisanal cheese movement as it existed about five years ago when the book was researched and written. Most of the information remains valid today, but a few things have changed. The most notable "omission" is Mateo and Andy Kehler from Jasper Hill Farm in northeast Vermont. Their cheeses are now considered to be among the very best made in America, but they were not yet in operation at the time the book was written. Unfortunately, Henry Tewksbury died the year after the book was published, so unless someone else takes up the charge, there will be no update. That, however, should not deter the cheese enthusiast who wants to know "the story behind the story" of farmstead cheesemaking. Highly recommended!

No comments about Mouth Watering Apple Recipes.

No comments about Jean Allen's Budget Cook Book (Paperback - 1955).

No comments about Campbell's No-Time-To-Cook Recipes.

1 comments about The Juicer Book: Juices, Sauces, Soups, Dressings, Desserts, Punches, Frappes, Shakes, Frozen Pops, Breads (Nitty Gritty Cookbooks).

1. There are much better juice books than this one... some of these recipes include the use of butter, cream, and whole milk... not that healthy.

No comments about How to Make Soup.

No comments about Smart Fish Cookbook: 101 Healthful Recipes for Main Courses, Soups, and Salads (Newmarket Jane Kinderlehrer Smart Food Series).

1 comments about Hot Appetizers.

1. I'm from Malaysia, now I live in Canada , I work in the kitchen as a chef. This book is very useful in the kitchen for get some of ideas. I did use it for a lot of funtions and the new menu in my work place. I would like to buy a couple of more in Malaysia but I could not get it on time because it already sold out and in the meantime I also want to come back to Canada. I was really disappointed. Hope you can do some thing for me. These are the books I would like to have: Desserts, Cold Appetizers and Meat and Poultry, from Eurodelices. Thank you

4 comments about What's the Soup?.

1. I am not an expert cook, I therefore appreciate the simplicity of the recipes. The recipes are so easy to follow and the results are delicious. The Salmon Chowder is one of my favorites. The author is a true genious.



2. This book was definitely created with the everyday person in mind. The book contains easy to follow recipes with lots of helpful advice from the author. I had no idea that soup could be such a great meal until I got this book. A great selection of soup recipes that has everyone in mind, from vegetarians (Asparagus with Sage and Lemon) to seafood lovers (Clam Gumbo). I can't forget to mention the recipes for the skillet corn bread and cheddar bites just to name a few of the "on the side" recipes. "What's the Soup?" makes a great addition to your recipe collection.



3. This book is almost as great as the soups themselves. The recipes are easy to follow and the results are very delicious. The book lets you view what the soup should look like, the pictures are very helpful.
   All of the soups are appetizing. The book will feed your family for years to come. Great investment. Your family and your tastebuds with thank you.



4. I love this cookbook. I've tried the Salmon Chowder so far and it was delicious. I can't wait to try more recipes. Great layout, easy to understand, very professional, love the pictures...I can't say enough. Buy it and enjoy !!!

3 comments about Mr. Putter & Tabby Stir the Soup (Mr. Putter & Tabby).

1. Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard have created a winning combination in the Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby along with their quirky neighbors, Ms. Teaberry and her good dog Zeke. This latest offering in the series is laugh out loud funny. Mr. Putter and Tabby try to make soup while they are continually pestered by Zeke in his desire for a little attention. Yes, it is a simple story but it's timing is great and the illustrations as always are great. My four year old daughter loves this book and it leaves her in tears of laughter.

   This is about the 6th book we bought in the series and they have all been great. It is nice to see stories that involve older people and have such winning story lines. I cannot recommend these books strongly enough. With the holiday season still in mind, check out Mr Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake - A great Christmas book




2. I have several of Rylant's book in my school library, and this is by far the favorite of the kids. The story is simple enough for the little ones to understand, yet wild enough for the older ones to just laugh out loud.
   
   I can not recommend this entire series enough--they are just too funny and the illustrations just really add so much. They are really and truly great books.



3. My mother-in-law gave my son a Mr. Putter book that was being discarded from her elementary school library, and my soon to be 3-year old loved it so much I've bought almost every Mr. Putter and Tabby book that's out there. We pick out one Mr. Putter book to read each night. All the books have very sweet, enduring stories of friendship, and they've introduced him to what "chapters" are in books.