Customer Reviews

The Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Cookbook: Wine and Recipes to Celebrate Every Season's Harvest

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By Bill Marsano. If you haven't heard of Jack and Dolores Cakebread it's probably because their wine is so fine it's always on allocation--there's not enough to go around, so the annual production is allocated to customers and restaurateurs who supported the Cakebreads when they founded their family winery in Napa in 1973. Still, you can get a taste of the Cakebreads and their way of life through this handsome book, written with their resident chef, Brian Streeter. One guiding principle here is the seasons: They dictate life at the winery, and so the recipes are seasonal as well. Another guiding principle is "Napa style"--the kind of relaxed elegance the area has become known and envied for. It's simple, stylish and superb. The recipes are clearly presented one to a page in legible type, and they come from many sources. Of course one expects Hispanic and Italian dishes--the Spanish discovered the place and the Italians were among the first to grow wine there. But the Cakebreads have cast their net wide to cover most of the Mediterranean basin--southern France, Morocco, Greece are also included--and there are Pacific Rim and Asian influences as well. And just for lagniappe, there are several recipes contributed by guest chefs at the Cakebreads' annual American Harvest Workshop. After a few pages of this you are going to have a powerful inclination to get yourself out to Napa. You could do worse. --Bill Marsano is a James Beard award-winning writer on wines, food and travel.

SPECTACULAR PICTURES, Informative Introduction and Mouth Watering Recipes. If anyone has been lucky enough to have visited this Winery up in Napa or better yet fortunate enough to have had the pleasure of a glass of Cakebread Chardonnay (or even if you have not) this book is wonderful in presentation and perfect for a Gift no matter what the occasion. Gift Ideas; for that Boss that has everything but appreciates good wine and good food, Housewarming, Present for that Culinary Art Student. If you have friends who love to entertain and your going over during the Holidays... instead of bringing a bottle of wine (like everyone else) give this book, Holiday Gift Basket (with of course of bottle of their wine)((Smile))

I purchased this book the first day it came out and went over it with my Executive Chef; we are always looking for new ideas especially with all the Holiday parties coming up. Recipes are set for each Season throughout the year. I am only giving it 4 Stars because I would say the instructions are not for the novice cook/chef at home, I think the recipes are written as if you know (and I mean "KNOW") your way around a kitchen. The authors have tried to balance the "fancy recipes" with the easier ones to prepare and that is pretty consistent throughout the book from the Salads to the Desserts. I collect a lot of cookbooks and I am famous for collecting cookbooks that I will never use but still want them in my library(just check out my other "Listmania Lists").....I'd have to say that there are a few good recipes in this cookbook that I definitely feel confident enough to try on my own:

Phyllo Purses filled with Goat Cheese, Chives and Lemon Zest
Warm Goat Cheese Salad with Pancetta, Shaved Fennel, and Sliced Pears
Pan Roasted Halibut with Orange, Sherry and River Ranch Honey
Baby Back Ribs with Red Wine Vinegar, Rosemary and Sweet Peppers
Roast Pork Loin with Apple Brandy and Whole-Grain Mustard Sauce
Apple and Cranberry Crisp

I must add in respect to Desserts there are only 2 that are standard the rest are pretty fancy.

Respectfully Reviewed

I am fond of cooking and cookbooks, and picked this one up sight unseen. While I enjoyed reading the recipes, I confess that the majority of meals look expensive to me and include lots of specialty ingredients that I just don't think will be easy to find or will appeal to my family. I don't cook with lamb, rabbit, or fancy seafood, duck or venison, and while reading about the recipes was different, I confess I was disappointed I was not hankering to make any.

I was able to find a few recipes in the main menu, and quite a few in the desserts section, but overall I confess the food looks a bit too epicurean for my tastes and I don't see myself using this book that often. I just don't have a lot of people who will eat "Soft Tacos with Chipotle-Braised Rabbit, Black Beans, and Pickled Cabbage", including myself.

My advice would be to check out the recipe list included before buying to see if the meals are your speed.

Great Photos, Nice exerpt from the Cakebread Family.
I have been to this winery in California and it is wonderful.
Great tours, great hospitality, and a great tasting room.
The recipes are very detailed with very nice photos throughout.
Makes a great centerpiece when not being used in the kitchen!