5 comments about Cooking from Quilt Country : Hearty Recipes from Amish and Mennonite Kitchens.

1. What can I say I'm perpetually busy with three small boys and cooking always seems to allude me culminating in constant eating out.
   
   I have several cookbooks, either the kids won't eat the recipes I make, they taste awful, or it's to expensive with all the ingredients.
   
   This book is an absolute jem for the mother who needs to be able to fix a simple meal, quickly, and without all the ingredient fuss. Most of the recipes in here call for flour, butter, oil, lard, sugar. You know your basic staples.
   
   My kids love these recipes. The apples I made in brown sugar, fantastic. Tastes just like Cracker Barrels. I also like the fact that when your cooking this way the preservatives are at a absolute minimum, which is great.
   
   For those of you who commented on how healthy this book is please look into your history books or pictures of your grandparents. You can't find the fat person. I've been to several countries and America is by far the fattest. The other countries all lacked skim milk, low fat this, fat free this, and corn syrup in everything.
   
   I am by the way overweight and haven't gained a pound from this book. Moderation my dear. I've actually lost weight. Great book, I highly recommend.



2. We easily found what we were looking for, ordered it and received it in a timely fashing.



3. Wow, the recipes are so delicious. I have tried almost every recipe in the book and not disappointed yet.



4. The Whole Wheat Bread in this book is superb!! I have tried for YEARS to make a decent bread that wasn't as dense as a brick. I was so excited when I finished this recipe that I was actually jumping up and down in my kitchen. The bread is nice and spongey inside and a great soft crust on the outside. I think using the mashed potato in it is the secret, no? The peanut butter cookies in Marcia Adams other book, "New Recipes from Quilt Country" are also excellent. I'm not taking these books out from the library any longer- I'm ordering them now!



5. I got the cookbook last week, i took 3 days to tab the recipes/pages i wanted to try. I had a ball cooking all this weekend; it really was fun! These are the results, in the order that i made them:
   Hot Water Pie Crust: 0 stars! 1 cup of lard made the dough, my hands and everything smell like lard by the time i got done. After refrigerating it overnight, smelling it in the morning with intention to prebake it for the Brown Sugar Pie recipe, i decided to toss the dough in the trash instead. Yuk.
   Apple Pancake: 5 Stars! Really good.
   Pat-In-Pan Pie Crust: 5 Stars! Excellent EZ crust!
   Amish Brown Sugar Pie: 5 Stars! YUMMY!! It stuck to the sides of the glass dish really bad but the pie was soooo good that it didn't matter. OH, if you try making it, it is SUPPOSTO' be kinda runny, but if you wait at least 6-8 hours it thickens more and overnight in the fridge it actually solidifies pretty good.
   Asparagus Pie: 1 star. The overly thick sauce stayed put on top like mashed potatoes (but without the good flavor of the potatoes and never ran between the asparagus or eggs, it just sat on top :P , and having eggs there was a bit odd but okay. The flavor was nothing great. Definitely won't be making that one again!
   Dandelion Greens w/ Hot Bacon Dressing: 4.5 Stars. Really tasty, just way too thick; using 1/2 flour will fix the recipe next time. Definitely will make again.
   
   That's what i've cooked this weekend, along with a roast and pork chops etc. It was a fun weekend experimenting with the Amish cooking. Overall i give the recipes 4 stars, but mind you, if i was grading it on a curve i'd give it 5.5 stars because any cookbook that you find several recipes that have potential to become favorites is actually doing pretty-excellent.

5 comments about Creme De Colorado Cookbook (Celebrating Twenty Five Years of Culinary Artistry).

1. I've had this cookbook for years and still use it regularly. The recipes are fool-proof and always draw compliments! I've purchased many copies for presents and everyone that has received the cookbook raves about it. The gourmet nature of the book makes the recipes interesting, yet they are relatively easy to make, since I am no domestic godess! You will not be disappointed with this book, in fact, it is my all time favorite cookbook. Enjoy!!!



2. I absolutely LOVE this cookbook. I keep going back to try more recipes, because everything I have made so far has turned out perfectly! I purchased this on the advice of someone else, and now I can see why she recommended it.



3. I was checking out this cookbook at a friends house years ago. I prepared a recipe several times from it and people raved about it. I wanted to make it recently and misplaced the recipe so I researched the book & found it on Amazon.com.
   I ordered it & received it within a week. I love this book and I will use it for years to come. Thank you!



4. What a nice Cook Book!
   I had used a friends and loved the style and how it's arranged.
   Clean, like new. Received quickly, better than expected. Looks like the previous owner never opened it.
   Amason came through again!



5. Never had a bad meal out of this cookbook. I have bought it for all my friends! Great!

3 comments about Cafe Wisconsin: A Guide To Wisconsin's Down-Home Cafes.

1. Author Joanne Raetz Stuttgen had the great fortune to get paid to wander Wisconsin eating at small (no more than ten thousand hearty, hungry souls) town cafes. She captures the ambience as well as the taste of these places, often the social hub of their communities. The reviews are rendered with tender loving care wherein it is evident that she took the time to get to know the people, local culture, and their stories, not just a quick look at the menu and a slam the food down, bam the check paid, thank-you m'am, and on to the next. After digesting this book, this reviewer hopes to be able to eat my way through my next visit in the Land of Cheese. My only quibble is that Ms. RS with-held the name of best darn cheeseburger "barn" in all of America's Dairy Land. People in-the-know will go miles and hours out of their way (it's 19 miles off I90-94, which at that point are travelling together) to get a cheeseburger at the Bowling Alley in Evansville. Try it! You'll love it! And give the owner a hug. Anybody with burgers that good, with the gumption to be a belligerent Bears fan in Cheesehead PackerLand, deserves a hug. /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer



2. I'm a foodie and a motorcyclist. I do a lot of road trips in the badger state during the summer months. This book takes the guess work out of wondering where to eat really good food at homestyle cafes and diners. The book is divided in regions and easy to read. The descriptions of the cafes are more than adequate and really interesting. A good book to carry in the car or in the saddlebag



3. I really enjoyed this book. The "down home" descriptions of the people
   involved and the recipes really do work.

2 comments about The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin.

1. Wisconsin, due to its cultural and agricultural dairy farm legacy, was justifiably world famous for the quality and variety of its cheeses. Indeed, the making of cheese was a specialty brought over from Europe by immigrant settlers beginning in the 1850s, and continues to persist as an important economic contribution to Wisconsin's economic well-being. Profusely illustrated throughout, "The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin" is the collaborative project of James Norton and Becca Dilley who extensively interviewed dairymen, surveying the cheese plants that employ them, and profile forty three acknowledged Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin. Enhanced with the inclusion of a glossary of cheesemaking terms, cheese factory touring opportunities, tasting notes, and suggested food pairings, "The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin" is an absolutely recommended addition to community library "Wisconsin History" reference collections, as well as the personal reading lists of anyone who has ever enjoyed the variety and quality of Wisconsin cheese.



2. First, a confession: I know the authors. When I heard that Jim and Becca were running around the state interviewing and photographing cheesemakers, I was intrigued. I love Jim's blogging and Founding Fathers book and Becca's photography is classy. How would this book turn out? Would this be equally serious? Goofy fun? Kitsch?
   
   The Master Cheesemakers is both fun and serious *and* beautifully done... a real treat for anyone interested in food, Americana, or Wisconsin. They treat their subject matter with love and respect, and the resulting book is delightful. The writing is crisp and engaging and the photographs are evocative, but it's always in the service of the people and place. Both have considerable talent, and they don't allow it to get in the way. In a word... tasteful. The production quality is really high, too, something I was pleasantly surprised with. It's beautifully produced, and you can proudly give it as a gift without hesitation.
   
   I'm most surprised by its value as a piece of Americana. It's really a gorgeous documenting of people and place. If you're uncertain if this is for you, see their blog. [...]

5 comments about 101 Things to Do with a Slow Cooker.

1. This is a good little book to keep on your shelf if you're just getting into crock-pot cooking. The book is divided into categories: recipes with beef, recipes with chicken, soups, recipes with pork, etc. The recipes are VERY easy and fast prep. which I really like.
   
   However, with that being said, we tired of the recipes quickly. A lot of the recipes are repeated throughout the book: for example, several of the recipes use the same ingredients, you just replace the chicken with beef. And because of the simplicity of the recipes, most of them are very plain in flavor. But if you have some imagination you can add your favorite ingredients and do your own variations.
   
   As I said before, a great little book for starters. But if you plan on using your crock pot more than once a week, you'll tire of these recipes quickly.



2. First, "slow cooker" is the generic term for a Crock Pot®, as "photocopier" is the generic term for a Xerox® machine.
   
   Second, this is a great book to cut your teeth on if you want to sink your teeth into slow cooking. I found an old one in my house--the landlord ended up with it in the divorce--so I began experimenting. My meals came out so-so, and I was glad I got this and 101 More Things to do with a Slow Cooker as Christmas presents.
   
   If this sounds roughly familiar, then buy this book.
   
   As others have noted, the recipes are "dump and go." But that is the fun of a crock pot. You get great tasting meals with few ingredients, the only drawback being foresight and planning. Come on! We use the microwave way too much. The slow cooker reminds us of what cooking was like when we were kids.
   
   This is a beginner's book, so ignore the complaints about the recipes not being up to Wolfgang Puck's standards. Even Shakespeare had to start with "goo-goo." Right now that's my level . And I love that recipes have about five or six ingredients--some even fewer--with the soups being a bit more complex. Most of the dishes run under $5.00.
   
   There is even a dessert section, with a recipe for a triple chocolate devil cake. I tried it, and yes, you can cook a cake in a crock pot. They suggest that you leave it in 6 hours, but I found that 4 hours was fine for me. I can't wait to try the pineapple upside-down cake.
   
   I appreciated the Helpful Hints on pp. 9-10, and would have liked a nice conversion table--ounces to cups, cups to liters, etc. The cover is slick and it has a spiral binding like a college notebook, so it is built to withstand their rigors and messes of kitchen work.



3. I can't cook, but this book helps me fake it! The ingredient lists are simple, and the recipes have broad appeal, a plus for my picky family!



4. This is an okay book, but I have seen other books with many more recipes in it for the same price. It's okay



5. I recently re-discovered my crock pot after finding it in the back of a cabinet while moving. I work long hours and am pretty busy, so coming home and spending hours slaving over the stove just isn't an option. I bought this book after having gotten rid of another slow cooker cook book which basically just used a can of soup for every recipe. I've tried 2 recipes from this book so far..Hawaiian chicken and cranberry chicken. They were easy, as I had all the ingredients on hand, and tasted great. I am officially in love with my crock pot! I can't wait to try some of the dessert recipes over the holidays.

5 comments about Damn Good Food: 157 Recipes from Hell's Kitchen.

1. The title says it all...thank you Hell's Kitchen for including ALL of your recipes as well as step-by-step pictures for several. The bonus was the mesmerizing story of a mad man (bipolar) who's been to Hell and back. This most unusual cookbook/memoir deserves the accolades which The New York Times and Village Voice gave you (I visited your restaurant during a convention in Minneapolis years ago and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it mentioned in BOTH papers)



2. This book rocks! Takes you on adventure. This book shares truth and recipes you won't ever want to forget! Definately a keeper!



3. I bought this cookbook immediately after eating the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, the Bison Bread, and sampling some of their amazing home made peanut butter at the restaurant in downtown Minneapolis. I have yet to try my hand at making these delicious items, but I have read the stories behind the dishes as well as the history of Hells Kitchen. It's a great cookbook (and history book) and I recommend it to all.



4. Product as described; super fast shipping; arrived in plenty of time to make a great Christmas gift. Would definitely do business with again!



5. This book takes the story of Mitch Omer and pairs it with recipes from each part of his life which makes for a great read! I could almost taste the food! I would recommend this book and also visiting the restaurant. I have had the pleasure of eating at Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis and it is truly an experience that should not be missed!

5 comments about Canyon Ranch Cooks: More Than 200 Delicious, Innovative Recipes from America's Leading Health Resort.

1. One of the best purchases I've ever made. The food is fantastic, the recipes easy to follow and best of all, everything is very healthy for you.



2. has become one of my favorite cookbooks. Love all the photos of the recipes and so far all had turned out good.



3. This cookbook is all that it represents--photos are attractive and inspiring. Recipes are innovative yet simple and easy to follow, logical preparation and healthy ingredients = delicious meals! LOVE the book!



4. Wow, if you want some really healthy and interesting meals, this is the book for you. The range of foods is awesome, the taste and presentation come out really good. It is so like being at the spa. Love this book!



5. This is not a fabulous cookbook. I have made several recipes from it and not been impressed with many of them. There are also typos. The recipe for zucchini bread called for one tablespoon of baking soda. While I should have known this was wrong, I trusted the recipe. It came out absolutely dreadful and inedible. Also, the granola recipe (which comes out soggy not crunchy)indicates that it has a whopping 200 calories in a quarter cup. If this is correct (which I don't think it is), that is very fattening, even for granola. The soups are pretty good and the marinara sauce is a keeper. For my money, Cooking Light produces much better cookbooks.

3 comments about Up a Country Lane Cookbook.

1. I loved this book! It was chock-full of recipes for the kinds of dishes my grandmothers and aunts prepared. It also gave great stories and details on rural Midwestern life during the 1940's and 50's - the kind of details you won't find in history books. Homey and comforting.



2. I read this book after reading Mrs. Birkby's book, "Neighboring on the Air", which was a great pleasure to read and cook from. Once again, Mrs. Birkby has hit a home run!

   Mrs. Birkby was one of the 'radio homemakers' who broadcast recipes, tips and news to Iowa's rural housewives as well as writing a long-lived newspaper column. Needless to say, after decades she had a very rich collection of recipes and local history to share. This she has done in a book that is very well organized, easy to read, and involves the reader. Having never read her column, I can assume this style is what endeared the author to generations of Iowans.

   This book focuses mainly on the years Mrs. Birkby spent with her husband starting and maintaining an Iowa farm for 10 years following WW II. It is broken up into chapters on topics such as 'Grocery', 'Milking', 'Stoves', etc. Recipes in each chapter follow the narration. I prefer this format for historical cookbooks, as it makes it much easier to leaf through and locate recipes.

   I've tried several of the recipes, and all have worked well for me.

   This book would have rated five stars for me, even if it hadn't had any recipes. Mrs. Birkby's struggles to make a success of a small farm with her family make a valuable documentation of postwar rural life. Reading her accounts, particularly of laundry, illustrates how far we have come as a nation with housekeeping.

   Thank you again, Mrs. Birkby, for sharing your personal and professional history with us!




3. "Up A Country Lane" by wife, mother, homemaker, newspaper columnist, author, and one-time radio personality Evelyn Birkby is more than just another country cookbook. It is a compendium of anecdotal stories of friends and family, useful household tips, tales of rural farm life in Mill Creek Valley, Iowa during the 1940s and 50s, and Evelyn's own philosophy - all liberally sprinkled with recipes for the kinds of dishes so familiar to Midwestern American farm wives ranging from Stockyard Stew; Shepherd's Pie; and Pudding Mix Sweet Rolls; to Fried Apples; Tuna Crunch Salad; and Snickerdoodles. Highly recommended and rewarding reading, "Up A Country Lane" is as entertaining and thoughtful as it is homespun and 'kitchen cook friend'.

5 comments about Talk About Good Cookbook.

1. I ordered the cookbook TALK ABOUT GOOD; as usual with Amazon, it arrived very quickly. The books were damaged in shipping, I read the instructions for returning damaged items, contacted Amazon with e-mail, printed a mailer and gave the package to my postman. A new book was mailed out as soon as Amazon found out about the problem, I had a couple of weeks to get the damaged book returned. I originally did not notice that both books were damaged on the corners so only one was replaced, I'm sure that if the other was reported damaged, I would have another new one. TALK ABOUT GOOD service!!
   
   Oh, by the way, this is an excellent cookbook. I made a carrot cake for my boss, she tasted it and knew where the recipe was from! Amazing!! A friend had given her this cookbook in the mid 70's and my husband brought it back to me from Louisiana in the mid 70's. The recipes are favorites of the Lafayette Junior League. The book has not changed in 30 years except it now has a hard cover! The second book is a Christmas present for my boss - both of us have lost the paper covers from the original 30+ year old book!



2. I love this cook book, it has great recipes in it that are easy to find the ingredients for, and easy to make.
   I received it as a gift during my first year of marriage in 1974, am now on my second one because the first is falling apart. I give it as a wedding gift to all the newlyweds I know.



3. I grew up in south Louisiana and this was the cookbook found in every kitchen. It's been re-published because it sells out time and again - and for good reason. It's the Cajun Betty Crocker Cookbook - good basic recipes as well as some with a twist - but all published long before the Cajun food craze that bastardized so many of the recipes we all grew up eating. I'm considered a great cook but I still pull this cookbook first to refresh my memory and spark new ideas. My mother's also a great cook as well as a Registered Dietitian and it's her bible too...worn and tattered with the cover falling off from years of use, but still her favorite. If you have to buy one authentic Cajun cookbook, buy this one.



4. I have used TAG for over thirty years. It has all the basic Cajun and S Louisiana recipes we grew up with, plus an entire section on Cucina de Mexico! My friends in other parts of the US love it also, regardless of their birthplace. This issue is for a young couple starting married life in Chicago.



5. By that, I mean that this is the book my mother turns to, the book my grandmother used most as a stand-by, and the first and best cookbook I've ever used. The recipes are authentic Louisiana cuisine, and absolutely delicious. This book is 'the' standard in our kitchens!

5 comments about A Cowboy in the Kitchen: Recipes from Reata and Texas West of the Pecos.

1. Although the recipies are good, easy to make and tasty it's the stories that accompany it that make the book. Grady doesn't try to be anyone he's not. He's a simple cowboy who enjoys cooking who fell into a career as a chef. Oh, and if you get the book, try the "Sissyfied Son-of-a-B*tch" it's definately better than it sounds.



2. Guys, if you want to upgrade your lifestyle from bachelor chow, if you want to impress the ladies, and most of all, if you want to have decent food at home or at work, you NEED this book. Now.
   
   The stories are great, the author is a killer chef, and best of all, these are recipes YOU will like. If nothing else, get it to get the secret of his grill spice blend - it takes anything and makes it instanly a cut above anything else you've made.
   
   But best of all, Mr. Spears shows us that cooking is not some girlie man thing, it's a cool thing. You'll eat better food, and women will realize you rock. I'm not kidding. Buy it now!



3. This is a wonderful book for anyone who loves Texas and Texas recipes. Our son lived in Texas for 8 years. His wife is from Texas. They were happy to get a "Texas Cookbook". GREAT recipes. The rub for steaks is fantastic.



4. We have a lot of cookbooks. Our copy of A Cowboy in the Kitchen: Recipes from Reata and Texas West of the Pecos looks like it's been rode hard and put up wet. Why? Because it's the real deal. Not just a collection of recipes that look good or sound good, this is full of recipes that are great! If you like to eat, you'll come back to it over and over. Some of the recipes will become tradition. Others will be lots of fun to make and eat when you've got company. All of them will make you wish you doubled the recipe. We love it!



5. Having been to the Reata Restaurant in Ft. Worth, it was a joy to read the history behind the Owner/Chef as well as old Fort Worth. The photography was beautiful and the story compelling. The recipes, although elegant, were surprisingly "do-able". The ingredients and spices were solid "Tex-Mex". I purchased the book for a gift and went through it before I handed it over....now, I will order one for myself!