Customer Reviews

Authentic Recipes from Jamaica (Authentic Recipes Series)

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

 

 

First let me say the only reason I gave this book 1 star to is offset the multiple "reviews" done by a reviewer with over 37,000 reviews, every one of which is 5 star. This reviewer is actually a company that uses volunteer reviewers, many of which openly charge a fee to the author to review their book. Why does Amazon permit this? It devalues the whole premise of readers giving insight for others who are purchasing sight unseen.

My actual review of the book would be 3 stars. The photography is gorgeous. The recipes are pretty good and cover a range of foods. The downside is that many call for ingredients that many people don't have available locally. In my experience, being an accomplished cook and owning dozens of cookbooks, this is one more for the coffee table than one that will get much use in most kitchens.

I have been making my own Jamaican food for many years, but wanted to branch out from my usual recipes. This was a great book to start with. The recipes are basic enough for a mainlander to use and find the ingredients! Tasty recipes! and you will learn about the great island country as well!

This is a response to a review that I read on this item. Yes I believe it is bad for publishers to hire people to review their items. But I believe that this recipe book is very good. It states that it is giving its readers authentic recipes which usually means that the ingredients are hard to find if this kind of food is not a part of the reader's mainstream culture. If you really are a die hard cook then you can find these items especially in areas in which Jamaicans can be found or just try to find a Jamaican grocery store. If you can't do any of the above then you'll just have to go to Jamaica for authentic cooking.

P.S. I was not paid by the publishers--- I am a regular nobody who loves to shop on amazon.com

I've made several recipes from this book and all were excellent and tasted authentic. I would definitely recommend purchasing this.

If you like periplus cookbooks and already own "the food of" version of this book, then reconsider buying this one. The new "authentic recipes from" series is just a rehash of the "food of series" with a few subtle changes such as relacing obscure recipes with more recognisable ones, bigger font and format, less on the history and some updated pictures.

Overall I kind of like the recipes in the new books more as there is less filler and odd recipes, but I do like the layout and format of the older hardcover "food of" books. So if you own "the food of" and want to get this book, be prepared to sell it off as you will only end up doubling up 90% of recipes between the 2.

As a Jamaican and a cook, I find this gives another perspective on mainstream items which allows them to be more readily accessed by non Jamaicans. It breaks down dishes to make them less complicated as often these items are just taught in family kitchens and to be honest I never had recipes for them. My favourite "new" recipe in the book ...I love the callaloo spring rolls in ackee sauce, I could eat them all day!

Overall, I'm very pleased with this buy; this is a great book to add your Caribbean cooking library.

There's always room for another Jamaican cookbook on the market. What makes Authentic Recipes From Jamaica appealing is a blend of traditional and new dishes gathered from the island's chefs and restaurants, paired with over 60 color photos shot on location. From a Smoked Marlin Salad created by James Palmer of Strawberry Hill to a variation of the classic Fricasseed Chicken created by Norma Shirley of Norma at the Wharfhouse, including pepper sauce, catsup, chili and thyme, it's these originals which delight.