Customer Reviews

Breakfast (Williams-Sonoma Collection N.Y.)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the 6th book in the William Sonoma Collection that I have purchased. Each book has been a triumph in terms of the recipes included in the book. The Breakfast edition was no exception! I have tried 4 of the recipes so far and have found them all easy to make and superb in taste. I have not found a recipe in any of this collection of cookbooks that I wouldn't make again! I'm very statisfied. I wish they would make more of them!

This book was recommended to me by a B&B owner in Niagara On The Lake. After opening my own B&B I purchased a copy for myself. I consider it my "bible" of breakfast cookbooks. The recipes are varied, not complicated or time consuming and most important...they work!!
My friend has just opened up a B&B and I purchased the book for her.
I highly recommend it.

I love how this book is structured. As with all the Williams Sonoma books, each recipe has a full color picture to go along with it. The recipes are okay. The hashbrowns were tasty, but the French Toast turned out awful. The book recommended letting them soak in batter for 10-30 minutes, making them too soggy to be edible. Play around with the recipes in this one - you can't always follow the instructions verbatim.

I love to cook breakfast for people. There is something intimate and family-like about sharing your morning with those that you love while serving them delicious comfort food made from scratch. The odd thing is, although I really enjoy breakfast food, I don't like to eat anything in the morning. Fortunately, this makes it easier for me to cook and serve everyone as I don't have to take the time to sit and eat the food that I make.

I have many Williams-Sonoma cookbooks and I enjoy and use them all. This one is no exception; it is well thought out, expertly designed, beautifully photographed, and professionally printed. One thing to keep in mind though: this is not the kind of breakfast that most people want to or should eat on a daily basis. Many of the recipes have plenty of calories, fat and salt. The Introduction even mentions that these recipes were designed with a weekend breakfast or a leisurely Sunday Brunch in mind. The book contains the following chapters and recipes:

* THE CLASSIC - Perfect Fried Eggs; Cheddar Cheese and Green Onion Omelet; French Toast; Eggs Benedict; Oatmeal with Dried Fruit and Brown Sugar; Buttermilk Waffles; Homemade Granola

* PANCAKES AND WAFFLES - Belgian Waffles with Whipped Cream and Strawberries; Pumpkin-Pecan Waffles with Maple-Cranberry Butter; Blueberry Pancakes; German Apple Pancake; Swedish Pancake; Ginger-Pear Pancakes

* EGGS - Souffleed Omelet with Fines Herbes; Asparagus and Gruyere Omelet; Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Avocado; Coddled Eggs with Chives and Cream; Soft-Boiled Eggs with Toast Strips; Chicken Sausage, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Zucchini Frittata, Huevos Rancheros, Shirred Eggs with Spinach and Crisp Bread Crumbs

* BREAKFAST SIDES - Home Fries with Red and Green Bell Peppers; Lacy Hash Browns; Red Flannel Hash; Polentina with Bananas and Maple Syrup; Roasted Tomatoes; Citrus, Strawberry, and Pomegranate Salad; Melon Salad with Yogurt-Honey Dressing

* MORNING BREADS - Cranberry-Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping; Cinnamon Rolls; Blueberry Muffins; Classic Baking-Powder Biscuits; Almond-Currant Scones; Banana-Raisin Bread; Brioche

* WEEKEND BRUNCH - Cherry-Cheese Blintzes; Wild Mushroom Quiche; Goat Cheese and Spanish Ham Souffle; Focaccia with Smoked Salmon and Creme Fraiche; Pepper Jack and Jalapeño Spoonbread; Broccoli Rabe, Pesto, and Smoked Mozzarella Strata; Prune and Armagnac Clafoutis

* BREAKFAST BASICS - Tips, tools and techniques are explained and recipes are given for several Breakfast Toppings and Spreads

I find these recipes to be expertly written and the directions to be flawlessly described. I have tried many of them and they all produced wonderful, delicious results. One thing to be clear about though: if you are looking for cutting edge, usual or gourmet fusion-type recipes, you won't find them here. This book contains some updated versions of mostly classic dishes that are sure to please most people regardless of how sophisticated their palate is, or isn't.

The photography, by Maren Caruso, is excellent. Both the lighting and the sets are simple and not overly contrived, yet the results are extremely appetizing. Ms. Caruso uses the ever-popular "very shallow depth of field" technique but executes it precisely and with great skill.

This book would be an appropriate wedding gift for a young couple. I would also use it as a creative hostess gift. However, if you are looking for a book to challenge the most ardent foodie, there are better titles. Williams-Sonoma Breakfast is an excellent little cookbook that I will be referring to frequently.

Good recipes and good pictures but not near as useful as the other Williams-Sonoma cookbooks I have. I have always been very pleased with Williams-Sonoma and have several from this line of cookbooks. There aren't as many recipes in this book as I would expect and several of the recipes in this book are pretty common recipes. If you can get the book cheap, it's probably worth it, otherwise skip it.

I have several cookbooks but the Williams Sonoma series is a favorite because the layout is easy to use, a picture of the finished dish is provided, and a variety of menus is provided. I particularly like this series because the books are easy to handle and you are not overwhelmed buy sifting through non-related topics. You read about "Breakfast", "Soup and Stew", "Roasting", etc. Just follow the directions and it turns out superb.

I love these WS cookbooks and this one is no exception. Fantastic recipes! The huevos rancheros are now a weekend staple at my house, with him saying every time, "this is the greatest breakfast I've ever had." Can't beat that praise! Also the waffles and french toast are a big hit. And this book is so helpful with instructions I've mastered the art of eggs (frying, sunny side up) to everyone's liking. Informative and delicious!

This is one cookbook I turn to again and again...it does not disappoint and you will never make another French toast recipe ever again! Completely worth every penny and then some!

This is a excellent book. I like the way the receipes are detailed. I love William Sonoma Cook Books.

I really like this cookbook. It's beautifully made, with lovely photos of every dish (I appreciate that!). Also, there are some really great recipes too (I love the polentina)!