Apples for Jam: A Colorful Cookbook [Hardcover]

Tessa Kiros (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007

This is food for families, for young people, for old people, for children, for the child in all . . . for life.- Apples for Jam

Apples for Jam is a keepsake cookbook filled with savory recipes woven together by a rainbow of colors, memories, and lavish full-color photography.

Tessa Kiros has circled the globe working in restaurants in Australia, Greece, Mexico, and London. Her extensive travel and multicultural background lend authenticity to more than 200 recipes, which are grouped by color and presented alongside vibrant photographs, sound cooking advice, and heartwarming anecdotes about friends, family, and the whimsies of childhood.

Kiros shares a bevy of diverse and easy-to-prepare dishes playfully themed in colored chapters. An index references both specific foods and recipes. With memories of daisy chains, ice cream cones, circuses, and four-leaf clovers, Kiros shares her belief that good food sparks cherished memories that intensify life's melting pot of flavor. A sampling of the flavors includes:

* Sage and rosemary mashed potatoes

* Pecan butter cookies

* Roast rack of pork with fennel and honey

* Pomegranate sorbet

* Roasted zucchini and tomatoes with thyme

* Pan-fried sole with lemon butter

Editorial Reviews

Review

Apples for Jam is a book that gets under your skin. It beckons you, and seduces you to pick it up. -- KQED, San Francisco

Apples for Jam is made for anyone who loves to play with children while encouraging their imaginations and expanding their palates. -- The Register, December 12, 2007

Exuberant and colorful. -- New York Times Magazine, December 2, 2007

Kiros leads readers into a joyous and fulfilling world of preparing and eating food... Check out this delightful and festive cookbook. -- Dan's Papers, The Hamptons, November 30, 2007

The charming drawings and homey, evocative photographs along with the well chosen selection of recipes make for a beautiful and personal cookbook. -- CookBooksWeLove.com

About the Author

No one captures the spirit and soul of a place quite like Tessa Kiros. She was born in London, to a Finnish mother and a Greek-Cypriot father. The family moved to South Africa when she was 4, and at the age of 18 Tessa set off to travel and learn all she could about the world’s cultures and traditions, and new ways of living and eating. She has cooked at London’s The Groucho Club and in Sydney, Athens, and Mexico. On a trip to Italy to study the language and food, she met her husband, Giovanni. They now live in Tuscany, with their two children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Ill edition (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740769715
• ISBN-13: 978-0740769719
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #380,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born to a Finnish mother and a Greek-Cypriot father, Tessa Kiros grew up learning about the world's diverse cultures and traditions. She has worked in restaurants in Sydney, Athens, and Mexico, and at London's famous Groucho Club. Tessa is the author of Venezia: Food and Dreams, Apples for Jam: A Colorful Cookbook and Falling Cloudberries: A World of Family Recipes, both from Andrews McMeel Publishing. She lives in Tuscany with her husband and two daughters.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My New Favorite Cookbook! November 2, 2007

By salmon shores

Format:Hardcover

This is a gorgeous, fun cookbook filled with beautiful comfort food, personal memories and fabulous cooking advice mixed in with each recipe. The photographs are stunning and I love that it is organized by the color of the food. Some of the recipes are quick and easy such as Angel Hair Pasta with Zucchini, Mint and Feta while others take more planning like the Lemon Meringue Ice Cream Cake with homemade Lemon Curd ice cream. Everything we've made from the book has turned out *Wow* and it is definitely one of the funnest books to use when planning a dinner party. Thanks, Tessa!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love This Beautiful Cookbook July 19, 2008

By Lizzie

Format:Hardcover

Apples for Jam is one of the best cookbooks I own. Not only is it gorgeous but the recipes are wonderful. Hit's with our family have been the Chicken Cutlets with Tomatoes and Capers, Sausage and Potato Goulash, Scallopini with Ham and Cheese and Chicken Sauteed with Cheese and Milk. My favorite though so far is Penne with Shrimp, Cream and Tomato, which is simply fabulous. The recipes while interesting and delicious are easy to prepare. It brings meals with a gourmet flair to my table without a lot of fuss or time, which I appreciate. The cookbook is beautiful as well and is uniquely organized by color of the dishes which adds appeal as well. A good cookbook to own or to give to as a gift. I highly recommended it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sophie R March 3, 2008

By Sophie Riggsby

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The most beautifully illustrated cookbook I've encountered. The recipes are perfect for families (i.e.picky eaters) and a great way to get kids to try new foods or combinations. For myself, a self-professed "foodie" I just love reading the recipes and the author's comments. Great, yummy cookbook...a must get.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Jim from Canada November 24, 2007

By Ann Smith

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

'Apples for Jam' is a very different cookery book. There are many interesting little stories about how the author came to have the recipe and why she included it in the book. The recipes are great for all ages but especially for children. The recipes are made with healthy ingredients and attractive in appearance. If you want something different in your recipe book library this is the book for you.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great concept and recipes, but can't read the type. September 25, 2009

By Julie

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased Apples for Jam because I have one of the author's other cookbooks. I love the photography and the recipes, and even that it's organized by color. However, I am so disappointed in the type face, size and color --I can barely read it. Maybe I need glasses, or maybe we shouldn't allow graphic artists to ruin an otherwise beautiful book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars such wonderful pictures-worth it for that alone... February 11, 2008

By S. Desprez

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

and the recipes actually look really interesting, but i could just read it for the pics alone. the gray type is annoying but readable, not a deal breaker for me.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars charming October 19, 2007

By meggy

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I liked this book for it's raw charm and its emphasis on family and memories. I have Tessa's two other books and regardless of the format of her recipe selection, her recipes work and are damn good too! There are plenty of good wholesome recipes for a family to sit down to dinner and enjoy together without any pressure and razzle dazzle. I am pleased.

23 of 31 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A for Effort, C overall January 28, 2009

By Antigone Walsh VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book tries hard to enchant. Physically, it is lovely,featuring beautiful photographs. Unfortunately, it is all downhill from there. The author's memories range from the banal (finding food the kids dropped to the floor to feed the dog) to the disturbing (being dressed in a bizarre aprony dress after wetting her pants and forced to eat in the cafeteria where everyone new what the weird outfit signified). The recipes could best be described as vaguely European comfort food. Unfortunately, while the ones I tried are okay, none of them are great. For instance, the mac and cheese is better than the blue box but not nearly as tasty as Martha Stewart's. The honey cake is acceptable but can't hold a candle to Marcy Goldman's. The author has a number of homemade ice creams but none of them justify the investment of time and money, particularly when Ben & Jerry's, Hagen Dazs and cold stone creamery are easily superior. I did not find that one go to recipe and frankly, am unlikely to repeat any of the ones I did try. Factor in the confusing organization (by color) and eye tiring light gray print and this offering quickly loses its allure.

I do agree that food and childhood memories are not only linked but serve to preserve important traditions. Cooking with children is rewarding for both the kids and the adults. In a world full of fast and "franken"food, it is important to educate children. Nothing beats the taste of a fresh strawberry or a tomato right off the vine. Many kids don't enjoy fresh squeezed orange juice after years of drinking sugar laden concentrates. Cooking and baking from scratch is not all that time consuming and contribute to the health of the children and strengthen the family bonds. Unfortunately,this book is too absorbed in being cute than in blazing that trail.... So enjoy the photos and skip the recipes. Read more ›