57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feast your heart out!, March 8, 2005
This review is from: Christmas (Williams-Sonoma) (Hardcover)
There are a number of recipes that I love in theory and usually only like in practice. These recipes involve ingredients and concepts that I find very appealing, but there's just something about the way the individual recipes get executed that leaves something to be desired. Stuffed mushrooms fall into this category. Recipes like this make great test recipes when I'm evaluating a cookbook because usually their quality is highly dependent on a careful balance of flavors, good technique, and adequate kitchen-testing. So, naturally, one of the recipes we made from this cookbook was the stuffed mushroom recipe. It turned out to be the best stuffed mushroom recipe I've ever had--everything that I've always felt stuffed mushrooms ought to be but rarely were. They were buttery, slightly crispy, flavorful, easy-to-make, and absolutely delightful.
My only reservation, and it's a tiny one, is that the cookbook sometimes sticks with older, stodgier techniques when newer, faster ones do the job just as well. I'm sure it would stick in many chefs' throats to suggest that you could spray the mushrooms with olive oil cooking spray instead of painstakingly brushing them with olive oil using a pastry brush, but I did half of the mushrooms one way and half the other and honestly couldn't tell which mushrooms were which--there were no identifiable differences in the finished product.
The full-color photographs that go with the recipes are simple, elegant and lovely. The layout is easy to understand, with the different elements of the recipes set off visually from one another and the instructions broken into bite-sized chunks. The recipes are surprisingly uncomplicated, although as mentioned in some places they could be even simpler; certainly for elegant holiday fare this is easy cooking.
The point is, no matter what I pulled from this cookbook--new, old, doubtful, sure thing--it rose to the occasion. Every single recipe delighted us. Each one left us sighing with happiness. So whether you want to make crab bisque this Christmas (or Thanksgiving, or Easter, or New Year's, or other holiday of your choice), butternut squash and apple soup, rack of lamb with cranberry-chile relish, brisket braised in red wine, wild rice pilaf with dried cranberries and pecans, chocolate mousse cake, chicken hash, panettone French toast, gougeres, eggnog, or even chocolate truffles, I highly recommend picking up a copy of this cookbook. It's definitely worthy of any special occasion you might wish to celebrate.
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19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Book, February 23, 2006
This review is from: Christmas (Williams-Sonoma) (Hardcover)
This book has amazing illustrations, and simple instructions which ake it a pleasure to use. I made a few dishes the first day I got it, they came out as beautifual and delicious as they looked in the pictures! The collection of dishes is AMAZING many are dishes I had in great restaurants and couldnt find the recipe for anywhere. I love this book!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great festive occasion cookbook!, January 25, 2011
This review is from: Christmas (Williams-Sonoma) (Hardcover)
I bought this book some years ago and have used the recipes. They come out good. Some cookbooks aren't tested but these recipes have been tested, judging by the results. We like the brisket of beef recipe. It's simple and it fills the house with a delicious aroma as it cooks. I buy this book as gifts for my friends' children who have grown up and are taking an interest in cooking. It's a really good cookbook.
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