Customer Reviews

The All New Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook: Over 1,250 of Our Best Recipes (Southern Living (Hardcover Oxmoor))

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love Southern Living cookbooks and their recipes. Sometimes I think I really can cook after following one. Everything I make tastes so good. So why just 4 stars? Because the first Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook knocked my socks off. Its recipes taste like down-home Southern cooking like my mom used to make. Now the reciepes in the New book feature lots of southwestern classics and an all-new vegetarian menu section. It's a testament to how tastes in America are changing. We are healthier. But for me, I always head back to the original Ultimate for most of my cooking. And it's most likely where I'll get my recipes for Thanksgiving this year.

What makes this cookbook shine above others? For one thing, it's been revised extensively and packs in over a thousand recipes paired with over 500 color photos. Its dishes come from the favorites of Southern Living Magazine readers, and provide not on recipes proven both popular and successful, but includes cooking techniques, food dictionaries, and numerous tips guaranteeing success. Special notes above selected recipes note those that are favorites, low-calorie, or lend to make ahead. A special recommendation, THE ALL-NEW ULTIMATE SOUTHER LIVING COOKBOOK may just be the only basic you'll need, if you're a novice and seek easy, clear dishes.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I have the prior version of this cook book and this one is even better. The recipes are updated and there is a lot of nutritional information as well. A very good overall cook book to have at an intermediate level of cooking.

When I picked this book up locally to browse through it, I knew I had to have it. I bought it on Amazon because I knew for a large hardcover, a local store couldn't beat the price. I could hardly wait for it to come!

I had already had dinner when I got it, but it wasn't a half hour before I eyed the fridge yeast rolls which are rising overnight right now. The dough came together easily... I had it in the fridge before my husband noticed I was making it even though he was talking to me the entire time and I can tell you it's looking more than promising.

I love Southern Living, but just like cooking shows or searching the big websites, with limited access to new recipes that may or may not be in the mood for, or too much access to too many recipes to browse through, it can get really frustrating when you're trying to get inspired. With most cookbooks, no matter how much I love them (I adore you Paula Deen) I just find the scope is too limited to provide inspiration unless I'm in a particular mood. This is a great answer to my recipe slump! Yes it's a southern cookbook, but not in the stereotypical sense. There's of course a healthy nod to classic southern cooking but also a huge, but also an adventerous variety of recipes from various styles and flavor combinations (but always with ingredients I can get my hands on, of course).

Of course, nothings perfect. As mentioned by a few others, the organization is pretty terrible compared to most recipes. They did divide by the nature of the food (breakfast, yeast breads, and beverages all have their own section rather than organizing by date of publication in the magazine). However, the sections, for reasons I don't understand, are arranged alphabetically so that pastries come between meat and poultry!

Still, the organization can't beat the fact that I can't open to a spread of pages and not find at least one recipe I would love to have (and make). I'm not kidding, I tried this and only once did I open to two catfish recipes and a reference page (I'm not crazy about catfish) and even then I'd easily break one of them out during Lent. My husband tried the same... he's as excited as I am.

This ones going on my surefire hit for Christmas gifts!

This (second) new cookbook is full of wonderful recipes - the variety is fabulous. The only reason I did not give it a "five" for a rating is because it is completely without a menu index which is included in the first book called, "The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook." I rely on the menus for meal/entertaining planning and it is essential in any cookbook I buy.

There are some really tasty recipes I have tried from this cookbook. Also the great photography is enough to make your mouth water! Cant' go wrong with Southern Living.

I bought this book about 1 year ago. I have made a number of dishes from it, all of which were great.
My best friend saw the book and made me order one for her and my sister-in-law always borrows it and seems like she never wants to return it.
The baking receipies are also really really good. You must try the "The Perfect Chocolate Cake" recipie it is to die for!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is one of the better cookbooks out there. There is a wealth of information and tips for any cook except for professionals and the most experienced. This is a great resource for beginning chefs who lack pro training and regular home cooks who wish to improve themselves not to mention 1,250 recipes! The beginning of the book has a wealth of information, sort of a do it yourself cooking course with tips on how to organize and stock your kitchen and pantry so you can do what is called for in the recipes. There is a list of essential equipment and a glossary of staples including dictionaries of salts, sugars,spices, herbs and cheeses and how they are used. There is a listing of cooking terms and techniques and plenty of pictures for illustration. And tips on entertaining too. In fact there are so many how too's that almost anyone can learn to improve their skills. The book is quality made with high gloss paper and is a worthy addition to any cookbook collection. This is a must have and i strongly recommend this resource for any untrained chef.

Like all the annual Southern Living Recipe books, this one is equally wonderful as gifts for my wife and mother-in-law. Husbands & son-in-law, go for this one - it may get you out of the dog house.

Recipes are easy to make,and taste great. I love that the book includes a nutrient analysis for each recipe, and also highlights family favorite and quick recipes. This book makes a great gift.