5 comments about Women of Great Taste: A Salute to Women and Their Zest for Food.

1. I received the book as a wedding gift two years ago and there are very few recipes I haven't tried. It's not your "meat and potatoes" book, but a collection of family recipes made with gourmet flair. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who likes to cook and entertain.



2. I give this cookbook only four stars, for all the wrong reasons. I am a member of the JLW, and I would feel wrong giving the highest possible rating to something I helped produce. It really is five star material for the person who likes to cook and entertain, and the person who likes to send a cookbook to share great recipes with freinds who are also kitchen monkeys. I can say this because I have enjoyed the wit and wisdom as much as the menus and recipes. I was terribly impressed with the books contents when I visited an out-of-town relative (who's a very serious cook, and let's just say, "particular") to whom I sent the book, when she cordially presented one of the full menus at a dinner party. Great find, great gift. All I can add are some of my personal favorites: Hummus: excellent (and easy as pie!) Wild Mushroom Bisque Too many wonderful salads, but my fav is Pasta Pecan Salad ... it is a book that should not be judged by its cover! Both Peasant Bread and Liberty Loaves ... and all those muffins! Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Tarragon Sauce Lasagna Florentine Zucchini au Gratin Cappuccino Brownies: unbelievable!



3. Every December I prepare a luncheon for my husband's staff at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. I had already planned my menu, but when I received this book from my twin sister in Overland Park, Kansas for our Birthday I changed my whole menu and chose everything from this cookbook. The recipes are simple yet very elegant in their presentation. I know his office staff will really enjoy all that I've chosen to make. I especially loved the quotes at the bottom of the page as well as the beautifully decorated book cover. Anyone who loves to cook will love this book!



4. This is a great cookbook for many reasons:

   1) I considered myself more of a virtual cook, than an actual cook. Once I purchased Women of Great Taste, that changed. I actually cook recipes now rather than just talking about how good the recipe might be.

   2) I always get rave reviews when I serve recipes from this book.

   3) This is a beautiful book with terrific recipes. I have recommended it to many friends and family members.

   4) Proceeds from Junior League books support community projects.

   5) I use it more than any other cookbook I own, and I own dozens of cookbooks.

   You cannot buy this book anywhere cheaper than from Amazon.




5. I love this cookbook. Not only are the recipes excellent, but the quotes and design are wonderful. Being from Wichita, I am so proud of the women of the Junior League for producing such a high-end, funny and classy book. Bravo!

3 comments about Loons in the Kitchen: Humorous & Poignant Short Stories from the Dakotas.

1. I am a fan of human interest stories, especially those with wry humor and insight into the human spirit. If you are also a fan of that style, this is a must read. The subtitle, "Humorous and Poignant Stories from the Dakotas", says it all; I'm not sure if the emphasis should be on "poignant" or "humorous". "Wednes- day's Ashes" is about a prairie Lutheran church, built in 1886, which withstands a tornado, but burns down on Ash Wednesday as its congregation of 50 or less stands by helplessly. "It Was a Good Thing" is about a transplanted Russian, a North Dakota cowboy, who dies with his dignity intact, having dodged the nursing home experience. That story is followed by, "Chopper", which is about the crusty cowboy's equally crusty stallion who threw "Cowboy" the first ride of each spring, just to remind "Cowboy" who was boss. "Boys of Summer" is about the author's Little League Baseball team - the Bad News Bears before Walter

   Matthau's great movie. "Letter to Mike" is a deeply moving tribute to the author's brother, who lives a dignified life in spite of his Williams Syndrome, and who has inspired all who know him with his purity and enthusiasm (you very well may cry as you read this one). These stories are relieved by tales of the writer's frustration with "tech support", and a letter exchange with Dave Barry as to whether or not North Dakota is still there, complete with details about a giant milk cow, liver sausage, Lawrence Welk and Bobby Vee. The Fix-It Man fixes, the mom steals clothes and then mails them to her neighbor, a pathetic dog finds a (pathetic?) friend - it's all here, and at the click of a mouse! It gets a 4 rather than 5 star because frankly, Tony has a sense of humor that evades me sometimes! Is this what they mean by "prairie humor"?




2. For anyone with a small town or Midwestern background, this is a must read. Bender touches the heart and tickles the funny bone with his columns on the feats and foibles of real people in real life situations. As a compilation of his newspaper columns, "Loons" is an easy read, yet I limited myself to one or two stories per day, in order to savor the emotion conveyed by each. I have given several copies as gifts, and have always been thanked by the recipient for introducing them to this new, gifted author.



3. Mr. Bender writes in manner that flows so well he draws you into his stories whether you know the real-life characters or not. It is amazing that in the span of a few well worded paragraphs, your heart and soul can be moved so easily. Just read one of Mr. Bender's stories and I'm sure you'll have to read another. Please keep writing Tony!

5 comments about Ropin the Flavors of Texas.

1. This Cookbook has a lot of unique recepies that are very easy and and delicious. The variety also makes it easy to do a complete meal from the cook book.



2. This is a great cookbook! There are great recipes for casual entertaining with ingredients that are easy to find. I collect JL cookbooks from all over the US and this is one of my favorites. Maybe because there are lots of Tex-Mex and appetizers.



3. South Texas women have always had a flair for entertaining. Nothing is ever ordinary! The book is filled with fresh ideas in a creative ensemble of South Texas cuisine. Recipes are easy to follow and offer a twist to the overly detailed companions. Your friends will delight in your cooking and be so ever inquisitive of the recipes, this I know from experience!



4. South Texas women have always had a flair for entertaining. Nothing is ever ordinary! The book is filled with fresh ideas in a creative ensemble of South Texas cuisine. Recipes are easy to follow and offer a twist to the overly detailed companions. Your friends will delight in your cooking and be so ever inquisitive of the recipes, this I know from experience!



5. I had really almost decided to stop buying Junior League Cookbooks. They had all started to look about the same, recipe wise, with little if any regional feel to them. (and you guys in north dakota can just leave out the tex-mex, ok?) But I am extremely happy that I have this one. The book is a work of art in itself, with really nice design to it, and at least a hardback/spiral not a plastic comb (I know, some cookbooks could not afford to see the light of day without that)- but these recipes are terrific, very texan, and have for the most part left out the huge amounts of filler recipes that so many junior league cookbooks have started to have- like endless lasagna dishes, italian, etc. Well Done! I would have bought a few more for friends if I had any, IF they had left out more of the 'canned' sorts of things.... but there is not an overwhelming amount of that, like there was in the '60's.

1 comments about A Cook's Tour of Minnesota.

1. Ann Burckhardt is a former reporter, columnist, and editor for the Taste (food) section of the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. Her fantastic credentials don't stop there, though. She's written and edited dozens of books on food, even the Betty Crocker Cooky Book.
   
   This book brings together her years of knowledge and experience, and her love of the food world. It is full of pleasures--food, good writing, and a writer's passion for her topic. The subject is the food scene of Minnesota. But, this book has appeal far beyond state lines. This long-time journalist's skill at bringing people and places to life makes it a worthy read for any writer. There's nothing about it I didn't enjoy!
   
   If that isn't enough to entice, the recipes surely will ... Lemon-Butter Bars, Créme Brulèe French Toast, and Magic Marshmallow Crescent Treats. Also, there's Marion Ross's Cheesy Macaroni Bake with Spam, or Endlessly Easy Chicken Breasts, among others.
   
   --Review by Sarah Tieck excerpted from The Writer's Notebook, July 2005 issue

3 comments about Only in California.

1. This is a wonderful book, with recipes that feature unusual combinations of familiar ingredients. It (of course) includes recommendations of which California wines to serve with the dishes. If you enjoy ethnic cuisine, there is much to find here to like: Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Thai, etc. Don't be a loser--buy this book. Chicks dig guys who can cook.



2. We had a baby shower today and made 2 appetizers and 3 salads from this book. All the guests wanted the recipes and when I showed them the book we got them from all were interested in getting their own copy. Although we have hundreds of cookbooks this is the one we chose to use for the shower. We tried all new recipes and were not dissappointed.



3. I have this book at home(California) and love it. I bought a copy as a thank you gift for friends we visited in another state. They too, loved the book. Great recipes, lovely water colors, reader friendly!

1 comments about A Taste of the Murphin Ridge Inn.

1. This is a wonderful cookbook (and the inn is a wonderful place to go to relax as well). I particularly like the salad dressing recipes, the onion soup, and everything else!

1 comments about A Little California Cookbook.

1. Maybe this book was okay when it came out but all the recipes are so cliche now.

   There is very little to like about this cookbook. Anything from Martha Stewart is far better and more imaginative.

No comments about What the Big Island Likes to Eat.

1 comments about Around the Opry Table: A Feast of Recipes and Stories from the Grand Ole Opry.

1. Reviewed by Linda Lee
   
   If you like country music and its celebrities, you'll love this book.
   
   Starting with stars from the early days of the Opry like Uncle Dave Macon and Pee Wee King, all the way to present-day performers such as Dierks Bentley and Trace Adkins, there is something for everyone. You can read about Brad Paisley and Little Jimmy Dickens going fishing together and find out what's in their favorite fishing supper. Learn what's in the fudge Porter Wagoner learned to make from his mother, and you'll need more than a cookbook to figure out the ingredients in Johnny Cash's mother's Scripture Cake.
   
   History and food are blended into stories of celebrities being surprised with invitations to join the Grand Ole Opry. There are menus for some of the induction parties and you might be surprised at the food served.
   
   Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Dolly Parton, and George Jones are just a few of the big names included in the book. There are pictures of everyone, if not of the food. Small chapters about well-known performers and their love of food make them bear a stronger resemblance to us mere mortals. Good food and entertainment make for a good experience and this book is no different.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: The stories are entertaining, the recipes enticing.

1 comments about Savour the Pacific: A Discovery of Taste.

1. I have too many cookbooks, and I come back to this one very often. It's crammed with delicious, original and doable recipes. In fact, the recipes are not always exact pacific recipes but rather the author's approach of creating modern recipes with typical pacific flavours. Simply the titles of some recipes should convince you: "Prawns with chili mango sauce", "coconut passion cake", "grilled scallop salad with citrus chili dressing", "kokoda: coconut ceviche", "lemongrass and chili risotto", "duck and mango salad" etc. Langbein's recipes are very convincing and never intimidating to make. Her salad dressings are incredible. Of note: there are plenty of nice photographs about the pacific in the book. In short, a strongly recommended book!
   
   PS I also recommend Langbein's "Cooking to impress".