The Way We Cook: Recipes from the New American Kitchen Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a cook who needs a recipe. No experience at my mother's knee. (She worked.) At long last here is a cookbook of recipes that are not too complicated but that have a certain flair. They are, I would say, uncommon but uncomplicated. The onion tart, for instance, consists of onions and thyme, with a dollop of sour cream in its crust. Simple, yes; devoured by my guests, yes. I suggest one should read it through first, for the introduction and the chapter headings are very informative and present the authors' wonderful philospohy that the home cook should not try to duplicate restaurant presentations. This is a cookbook that informs, encourages, promises -- and delivers. Trust me, you will enjoy this cookbook. You can, with this collection of recipes, relax and enjoy cooking for family and for discerning guests. Julia, Silver Palate, and Joy will remain on my shelves, but "The Way We Cook" will remain on my counter!

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Mauzy's Kitchen Glass (Schiffer Book for Collectors) Review

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(More customer reviews)After absolutely loving Mauzy's Depression Glass book this one was such a huge disappointment. The pictures are huge, many 1/2 a page, which seems was done to make the book appear more meaty.
Many of the green pieces are labeled as "unknown manfacturers", almost comical is a row of tumblers and sherbets (another row of vases) listed as "various manufacturers". That section of the book seems like they went to someone's house and just pictured each piece.
The coverage of salt and pepper shakers is quite good, almost as if that is what the book really was before adding "fluff" items.Very little information (such as dates) is given, though.
With the little information given, I just don't trust the prices as being any guideline whatsoever. Disappointed.
Update: I found the prices listed are 5 to 10 times realistic pricing, even for the fanciest shops. Even more disappointed now, it has cost me money.

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This beautiful book offers a showcase of vintage glass that is lovely to see, easy to use, and interesting to collect. It is well-researched, up-to-date, and full of colorful kitchenware from the 1920s through the 1950s presented in over 400 beautiful color photographs. Shown are reamers, mixing bowls, refrigerator dishes, shakers, drippings jars, canisters, provisions jars, measuring cups, cruets, and scores of additional items. Small groupings of glassware are shown with clear explanations, values, measurements, manufacturing information, and much more. Here is a wealth of information that collectors and dealers alike will find invaluable. It is simply unsurpassed in the industry.

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In Nirmala's Kitchen: Everyday World Cuisine Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a phenomenal cookbook on so many levels. Aside from the stunning photography of the dishes and Nirmala's travels, it's full of her personal journal entries, making the recipes even more enticing. Being an Italian-American, these recipes are not typical of my own kitchen and until this book, I would only eat these meals at restaurants. Nirmala brings it home in a brilliant way. She has organized the recipes by country and then suggests entire dinner menus. It's very exciting. I've purchased her spices in the past (at nirmalaskitchen.com) but didn't have a clue on how to truly enjoy them. This book is a terrific complement to her spices and the recipes are easy to use. I recommend that you buy the book and then wander over to her website to check out her spices. It's truly an adventure!

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Through her travels to such exotic locales as New Zealand, North Africa, India, and the Caribbean, to name a few, Nirmala Narine has scoured local markets and remote hillsides for herbs and spices to bring home to her own kitchen. In this collection of recipes and personal anecdotes, Nirmala includes a thorough glossary of herbs and spices to guide even the most inexperienced cook beyond table salt and pepper.

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Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles Review

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(More customer reviews)Excuse the enthusiasm, but Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles is an amazing book. It's accurate, informative and beautiful. And on top of that, it's a hoot. Filled with more than 1,000 full-color pictures of kitchen gadgets of all kinds, the book is part identification guide, part price guide and part stroll down memory lane. Covering Post World War II kitchen ware, the book includes hundreds of period magazine advertisements, helping to put the collectibles in context. Visually, it's brilliant. Some of the pictures are small but that's only because there are so many included. You don't have to be a collector to enjoy this book. But if you are, you'll find the book handier than an Ecko egg beater. Buy it. Read it. Enjoy.

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A guide devoted to postwar collectible kitchen gadgets, plastic house wares and accessories, especially appealing to dealers, decorators, designers and historians. It features over 1200 colour photographs of vintage advertisements and magazine covers, as well as full listings and prices.

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The Peppers Cookbook: 200 Recipes from the Pepper Lady's Kitchen (Great American Cooking) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Peppers Cookbook: 200 Recipes From The Pepper Lady's Kitchen by Jean Andrews is a truly mouth-watering compendium of delicious "I've just got to try this!" recipes showcases the culinary delights and possibilities of the pepper ranging from jalapenos to serranos to bells. Beginning with "What is a pepper?" and moving on to descriptions of eighteen different peppers, and an invaluable section on selecting, storing, and using peppers, the kitchen cook is introduced to recipes featuring various peppers in everything from appetizers to entrees, from sauces to desserts, from baked goods to condiments. With recipes ranging from Roasted Portabella Mushrooms with Basil-Red Pepper Cream; Green Chile Pasta; and Rocoto Relleno (Peruvian Stuffed Peppers); to Chipotle Hominy Casserole; Ethiopian Afrin or Spiced Ground Pepper Seed; The Pepper Lady's Version of Laura Bush's Texas Cowboy Cookies; and Pickled Jalapenos or Hungarian Wax Peppers, The Peppers Cookbook is the ultimate culinary compendium for pepper enthusiasts!


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Warmans Kitschy Kitchen Collectibles Field Guide (Warman's Field Guides) Review

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(More customer reviews)Just a warning to anyone buying books on kitchen collectibles--this field guide is made up of the exact same pictures and information as the book Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles, also by Brian S. Alexander. I didn't realize they would have exactly the same content and ordered them both, much to my chagrin. Thank goodness for returns! Spiffy Kitchen Collectibles iseasier to look at due to its larger format but if you want a smaller version to read on the go while thrifting or yard saling, the Warmans Field Guide will do.

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Fans of the fabulous '50s will find this handy and affordable guide to 1950s kitchen gadgets a "swell" deal indeed! Collectors with a passion for kitchen innovations will enjoy the 550+ color photos and illustrations of kitchen goodies that point to an era that lives on in reruns of "Leave It To Beaver."This unparalleled reference covers postwar kitchen collectibles in a format that collectors and dealers can take with them everywhere. More than 1,000 graters, shredders and cutters, and gadgets for preparing corn, eggs and more are covered in extensive detail, along with updated prices. Readers also get quick tips from this go-to guide for getting started in this popular field of collecting.-Coverage of more than 1,000 gadgets creates a diverse resource-550+ brilliant full-color photos and illustrations provide for easy identification-Current pricing gives collectors the latest on their collectibles

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Florence's Glass Kitchen Shakers 1930-1950s Review

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(More customer reviews)This is an excellent book for the dealer and collector. I have a retro kitchenalia shop in Chicago and this book is a BIG plus in my book for the info as well as the wonderful clear pictures.

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Gene Florence, the foremost authority on glassware, has produced a brand new guide for collectors. Florence's Kitchen Glass Shakers, 1930 - 1950s, is sure to spice up your bookshelf. Over 1,000 glass kitchen shakers, including sugar shakers, are pictured in this volume of full-color group photographs. Catalog identification of previously unknown shaker names is provided, as well as name, company, and value given for each item shown. Companies featured include Hazel Atlas, Anchor Hocking, Jeannette, McKee, Owens-Illinois, and Tipp City Decorations. This book features sharp images and offers insight into values of these savory shakers. It's another bound-to-be best-seller from glassware expert Gene Florence. 2004 values.

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Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years Seventh Edition (Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years: Identification & Values) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have several glass reference books, and all of them by the incomparable glass expert Gene Florence. He has not put out a reference yet, that is not worth buying. .............. As a long-time avid collector of many different forms of glass, this book is my perfect reference for the specialized area of collectible kitchen glassware. This reference goes by color, and then by items. It is easy to classify exactly what you are looking for, from reamers to rolling pins, you will find it. The pictures are a stunning visual array that will delight anyone who loves kitchen glass, or any kind of decorative glass. Years ago simple kitchen items were made in so many beautiful colors, and that is how I became interested in collecting this form of glass in addition to all the art glass, EAPG, milk glass, depression and handblown pieces in my vast collection. I have purchased books from the many Gene Florence editions available on those subjects too, and I can honestly say that you can't go wrong with any of his titles in whatever area of glass collecting interests you. Not only are the pictures wonderful and the text informative, but you can get an idea of values with the easy to follow detailed price guide that covers by color, and then pattern on various sets. Styles and objects of kitchenware are thoroughly covered by manufacturer too. If you are looking specifically for say Hazel Atlas, or Jeanette, Anchor Hocking, Fry and other popular manufacturers, they are easy to find listed. There are also rarities and reproductions to look out for in the closing. A great feature so that you don't pay for an antique that really isn't! ............. If you are a beginner, or an advanced collector you need this book. If you are in the business of selling collectible glass, here is your pricing guide to help you get the value of what the pieces are worth. Prices are for mint specimens of course, and that is stated. ................ As always, this Gene Florence edition is well worth a place in YOUR glass reference library.

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This exciting seventh edition of our bestselling Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years is undeniably the definitive reference on the subject. More than 5,000 items are showcased in beautiful professional color photographs with descriptions and values. The highly collectible glass from the Depression era through the 1960s fills its pages, in addition to the ever-popular Fire-King and Pyrex glassware. This comprehensive encyclopedia provides an easy-to-use format, showing items by color, shape, or pattern. The collector will enjoy the pages of glass, from colorful juice reamers, shakers, and rare and unusual glass knives, to the mixing bowls and baking dishes we still find in our kitchen cupboards. 2009 values.

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Alton Brown's Gear for Your Kitchen Review

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(More customer reviews)Don't buy this book if you're looking for recommendations on which brands of applicances to buy -- even Alton Brown would admit that you're better off checking out "Cook's Illustrated" or "Consumer Reports" for that. What this book is brilliant for is the explanations of what the most commonly used kitchen tools do and don't (and can and can't) do and how they work, along with the practical tips for picking the items that suit your needs best. Alton Brown does, from time to time, make specific recommendations, but he tells you why he likes those items so that you can accept or reject them on the merits. Also it should be noted that some of his recommendations run contrary to what he recommends for baking in "I'm Just Here for More Food," so if you bake a lot, you might want to read that book as well before shopping for items such as scales and mixers that are used in both cooking and baking. "Gear For Your Kitchen" covers items used in both, but emphasizes cooking.
Alton covers each type of equipment thoroughly, explaining, for instance, what types of pans are good for different types of cooking applications, and what are the various properties of the different materials out of which they are made. So not only do you end up understanding the diffference between a sauce pan and a saucier, you can figure out whether clad metal or copper is your best bet. This same type of treatment is given for knives, small appliances, etc.
But my favorite part of the book has to do with sanitation and storage. The explanations of why certain sanitary measures need to be taken are coupled with easy ways to do it. I couldn't get a frozen enchilada smell out of my microwave oven until I mixed water and bleach in the proportions Alton recommends in a plastic spray bottle. So simple and obvious and yet...
While reading this (cover to cover in practically one sitting -- it's that readable) I found myself enjoying Alton's humorous descriptions, numerous photos and drawings. But I've found myself going back to the book as a handy reference for ingenious ways to use items I already have and ideas for shopping more intelligently.
Since buying this book I've cleared out and reorganized my kitchen and even though I bought a lot more stuff after reading this book, I have more space and am able to use it more efficiently.
Thanks Alton!

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