Customer Reviews

At Blanchard's Table: A Trip to the Beach Cookbook

5 star:		(20)
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I bought this book because I've been looking for alternative ways to cook fish and shellfish besides boring citrus marinades. I'd eaten at Caribbean restaurants before and knew that this was the cuisine to do it. So far, every dish that I've made in this cookbook has not disappointed me, and I've become so addicted to the the pureed sweet potatoes that I make it at least once a week. (Hint: once they're cooked, puree the potatoes with an electric mixer, most of the fibrous bits will wind around the beaters and your potatoes will be smooth and creamy!)

Upon first reading it, I thought the recipes seemed sort of boring, but believe me, they are more than the sum of their parts. Aside from the above mentioned pureed sweet potatoes, my other favorites include the roasted red and yellow peppers with rosemary and lemon juice, the spice-rub swordfish steaks with balsamic reduction sauce, and the jerk shrimp. All of these recipes are incredibly easy to make, and if you're pressed for time, each chapter starts off with "in a hurry" meals that you can prepare quickly. Who says cooking has to be so time intensive and complicated? A true gem!

To have the skill to bake and cook well is a joy. To know the people who cook and bake so well they have wrtten several cookbooks is even more wonderful. The Blanchards have been an "Upper Valley" treasure for years. They first started out with Blanchard and Blanchard Salad Dressings, and were the first to mix herbs and unusual ingredients into delicious salad dressings.

Mel and Robert Blanchard live in Norwich, Vermont and have a restaurant in Anguilla. Mel is not an educated chef, but a born and bred true cook. Her recipes are simple and so good. Cheddar Cheese soup, cheese and onion bake (tastes like the topping on french onion soup, and is used as a side dish for their New England Thanksgiving on Anguilla) One of the most delicious and unusual recipes is Vermont Picnic Ham with dark beer. Scrambled eggs with herb cheese and chives, surrounded by roasted small tomatoes is mouth watering. Pair that with peach, coconut breakfast bread and you have the makings of a scrumptious brunch.

The Blanchards use simple ingredients because much of what they make must be flown into Anguilla. They use the fruits and vegetables native to Anguilla. At the heart of their cooking continues the use of herbs, fresh and dried. Each recipe is unusual and can be made at any time. None of the ingredients are seasonal or that unusual. Their particular blending of the herbs and other ingredients, however, give their cooking 5 star quality. I recommend this cookbook for anyone, and it will be under the Christmas tree of many of my friends and family. Can't wait to get back to that ham. prisrob

The cover picture of Life at the Beach drew me to it-- reminding me of childhood days in Hawaii and adult vacations in the Carribean. I found the book delightful reading and my husband and I began planning a future trip to Anguilla. Imagine my thrill in seeing that the Blanchard's published this wonderful cookbook. I immediately bought one for a gift and one for me. It has become a household favorite!! First-- it is a TRULY user-friendly cookbook and cooking guide. It has quickly become my most-used cookbook. Many chef-written cookbooks on my shelf (and there are many) sit there because recipes are too involved for our lifestyle (too many steps and ingredients). The Blanchard's cookbook combines all the concepts one would want in a cooking guide--fabulous, fresh and creative tastes; beautiful and tantalizing pictures; clear, simple directions with manageable and available ingredients; AND tips for success from the chef. One of the real benefits of the book is the "In a Hurry" section at the beginning of EVERY chapter-- it lists quick, yet delicious ideas for weeknight dinners-- and include ingredients I usually have on hand. I really appreciated their care in writing each recipe with the "home cook" in mind -- they clearly want to share their joy of food with everyone-- whether or not you make it to Anguilla! Second, I really enjoyed seeing the pictures of all the "family" members at the restaurant. After reading all about them in Life at the Beach, it was fun to "see" them. Now, I can't wait to meet them all in person! Do yourself a favor-- buy BOTH these books-- you'll be taking a little trip to paradise each time you open them!

I've been to Bob and Melinda Blanchard's restaurant in Anguilla many times now. In fact, each time I vacation there, I must eat at Blanchard's for my first and last meal. This book perfectly compliments the restaurants and its owners. The recipes are wonderfully simple, with short lists of ingredients. At the front of each section they list "quick and easy" alternative ways to prepare some of their favorite dishes. All of my favorite dishes are included in the cookbook, and are complimented by the wonderful photographs of owners and staff. Blanchard's restaurant has one of the most gracious staffs I've ever encountered. It's wonderful to see how much the owners appreciate their staff. The love that they have for what they do clearly shines through.

I am in the middle of "A Trip to the Beach" and I can't seem to put it down. I stopped by the bookstore to let the owner know how much I appreciated her recomendation and she showed me the Blanchards' new companion cookbook. We have tons of cookbooks at home, that I never use, so I was reluctant to buy a new one. It was so pretty and the recipes looked quite simple so I thought I would try it anyway. I am so glad that I did. The recipes are terrific. They are fresh, simple and absolutely delicious. I made their version of chicken marsala last night and my husband liked it so much that he cleaned the whole kitchen! The photographs in this book are enchanting. They have pictures of the food, which is always nice to compare yours with what the end result is supposed to look like. There are beautiful photos of Vermont (The Blanchard's first home), Anguilla, their restaurant and the people that work with them in Anguilla. I couldn't be happier with this cookbook, it and "A Trip to the Beach" will be my Christmas gift for everyone.

We have dined at Blanchards in Anguilla several times and it is by far our favorite restaurant in the Caribbean. How thrilling to find out we could re-create our favorite dishes at home with this wonderful cookbook. It is by far my favorite!

Recipes to try: Cracked Coconut dessert, Orzo Pasta with Chili-Lime Vinegarette, Blanchard's Hummus, Skewers with Avocado Lime Dip, and Ginger Shrimp with Dipping Sauce, just to name a few. They are all wonderful and so simple to make with a short list of common ingredients. You won't be disppointed!

Like many who love to create great meals, I have a stash of cook books and recipes. At Banchard's Table has become my very favorite for can't-fail-delicious meals.

Not only are the recipes easy, the taste is incredible, and a bit unexpected. The Grilled Fillet Mignon of Tuna is personal favorite.

Whether you're entertaining guests or cooking for your family, you will not be dissapointed.

I actually don't like to cook and I LOVE THIS COOKBOOK! The recipes are great and it is a pleasure to read all of the interesting side notes about the locals who worked with the Blanchards at their restaurant on Anguilla. I'm reading "A Trip to the Beach" right now (the book that tells the story about their move to the Caribbean) and it is awesome as well --- very well written and such an accurate description of island living. Just one suggestion for the publisher: Use a better cover photo! It's called "A Trip to the Beach Cookbook," and it's the island story that makes this cookbook so special. Put a beachy picture on the cover! You could use a photo similar to the cover of the other book, with a fancy table for two set up on the beach . . . just a thought!

This is one of the best cookbooks we own (and we own a lot). Everything we have tried has turned out great and taste wonderful. Well worth owning

this book is a combination dietary and culinary delight.
perfect for the health conscious as well as for the curious palate.we have cooked from it since we got the book.it has such perfect photographs i had to buy my wife a recipe book holder so she would'nt ruin the pages.i bought this out of curiosity after reading their book,A trip to the beach,and heartily recommend it.It's fresh mango and lite whipped cream dessert tomorrow!!