Customer Reviews

Chesapeake Bay Cooking

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As a native Marylander (born and raised)currently living in Texas, I bought this book at a Texas bookstore, sat down and browsed through it and almost cried for the Chesapeake regions cuisine. The book made me feel like I was home again. When I tried some of the recipes, I was even more homesick. You begin to yearn for the smell of crabs steaming in the Bay Seasonings and a pitcher of beer while sitting in a loud crabhouse. My favorite aspect of the book is it takes you through all regions of the bay and lets you experiment with not only crabs, oysters and shrimp but other treasures you might not expect to find like Southern Maryland Stuffed ham. If you haven't tried this gem, you haven't lived! Congratulations to John Shields on capturing every aspect of cuisine in the Chesapeake Bay area. I own several other cookbooks of this variety and this one is by far the BEST!

I watched the PBS show that this book originated from and immediately ordered the book. I already own over fifty cookbooks and this has become my favorite. As a native "Baltimoron", I've thoroughly enjoyed the stories and info about Baltimore. The recipes are fabulous. You must try a "Dirty Gertie". Fantastic. These recipes are the best that Maryland has to offer. John, hats off to you! Living in Ocean City, we can sample the best seafood in the world. Now, my kitchen is the best in town. Thanks.

This book was a Christmas gift from my husband, and it has to be one of my all-time favorite cookbooks. I thought I knew a lot about this region's cooking, but I learned a great deal from this book. The recipes for Baked Squash & Tomatoes and Oyster Stew have become standbys in my kitchen. Not only is this book full of fabulous recipes, but the stories woven through the book are worth reading just on their own. John Shields is truly a "Bawlamor boy" and one of the state's greatest assets. Highly recommended!

Kathleen

Wow, did I over estimate my "knowledge" of this area's cuisine and natural resources! This book is an excellent primer for cooks of all levels who feel the need to know about C-bay cuisine. Terrific recipes and a great insight into the quality of life in the area.

This treatment of the region's classic ingredients makes you want to put down the book and go right to the grocery store. In fact, upon reading the recipe for Chesapeake Bay Crab Salad, I did just that! The tomato tart - divine! Peaches in vanilla cream? Yum! You don't need to live here or to watch the TV series to love this cookbook -- a captivating addition to your collection. It might even make you want to invite people over for dinner just to have the fun of preparing these dishes. Highly recommended!

I ended my search for the perfect crabcake recipe with this cookbook! His crabcakes are wonderful, the best ever. And the rest of the recipes and narratives in this book are delicious and entertaining, Shields provides an inviting glimpse into the Chesapeake culture and cuisine. Makes me want to visit the area someday.

I love this cookbook! It has everything I want in a cookbook: fantastic recipes which are very straightforward, a very funny and chatty author who tell the story behind almost every recipe, and pictures. Granted, you'll get more use out of this book if you live somewhere that sells a variety of great, fresh seafood, but even if you don't, this book is a treasure. The side dishes are mouthwatering. No exotic ingredients needed. These are classic old-school, good recipes that usually aren't written down. Classic recipes with great oomphh. John Shields is the kind of guy you'd love to hang around with on a lazy Saturday or Sunday, looking for a great undiscovered restaurant or church supper, which offers delectible cuisine at reasonable prices. Ok, so you can't have John in person, but this cookbook is the next best thing. One of my instant favorites.

I have owned this book for about 2 years and have tried many of the recipes. It contains fabulous recipes and is filled with lots of history and humor. Anybody who loves the food of the Chesapeake region(and who wouldn't)must add this book to their collection!

I grew up on Maryland's Eastern Shore. These recipes reminded me of time spent in my grandmother's kitchen. A wonderful collection of recipes intersperced with colorful history - a keeper!

This is such a wonderful book and describes the area, culture and ethnic communities so well. The receipes are so simple yet so divine. I am giving it to a friend who is living in Houston where I also live who grew up in a suburb of Baltimore.