I'm excited to introduce a new topic to Suite 101.com-cookbook reviews.
First, a little about me. I'm a writer and housewife in Georgia. I'm not a professional chef, but an experienced home cook. Like many of you, I eagerly read recipes and cookbooks, and try to create the most tantalizing meals I can for my family. Some recipes and cookbooks are better than others-they aren't created equal. Here, you can find out what worked (or didn't) for me and then use that as a guide for your own cooking experiments.
I'll get the topic underway by discussing my favorite cookbook, The Way to Cook, by Julia Child. Copyright 1989, by Alfred Knopf. Available in hardback and paperback. If you can only own one cookbook, or are looking for a good wedding/housewarming gift, I'd suggest this hefty volume.
Ms. Child teaches the reader how to cook by first presenting a fairly simple dish as a Master Recipe. Once mastered, one is ready to move on to fancier variation, confident in one's abilities. Instructions are clear, with illuminating photographs.
The Trial by Fire...
The Zinfandel of Beef is a hearty and mouthwatering dish. The culinary skills required are minimal, and it's a wonderful dish in which to learn how to make (and successfully use) a beurre-manie sauce for thickening. The only drawback to the dish is the time involved-about 3 ½ to 4 hours. A good selection for weekend cooking, as the leftovers are even tastier, and can make for a quick reheated meal later in the week.
Her Beef and Pork Meat Loaf will make meatloaf-haters change their mind, or at least reconsider. Delicately seasoned with an intriguing combination of thyme, paprika, allspice, oregano and bay leaf, this dish truly elevates the Thursday-night special into something company worthy.
Covering the best way to scramble an egg to how to create a sophisticated French strawberry tartlet, The Way to Cook does just that, enlivened by Julia Child's mastery and wit. Highest recommendation.
Want to read more about Julia?
http://www.starchefs.com/JChild.html Includes a brief biography, interview, and recipes from the renowned chef.
http://www.unknown.nu/julia/ Julia Child speaks her mind. Quotes. Requires RealPlayer.
http://www.women.com/new/top100/020.html Women.com voted Julia Child #20 in the Top 100 Women of the Millenium
htpp://www.grandtimes.com/child.html An in-depth article about the doyenne.
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