Customer Reviews

Deidre Hall's Kitchen Closeup

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You know them: the friends whose tables always look perfect, whose food is always nutritious, and whose kids can't get enough of whatever they're serving. Have you ever wanted to sit down with one of these people and have a warm chat, just asking them: How do you do it? What are your secrets? This book is your chance. Soap star Deidre Hall, who looks just as good now as she did when she debuted on Days of Our Lives 34 years ago, has written (with co-author Lynne Parmiter Bowman) a warm, witty, wise, well-informed, all-around-wonderful book, sharing the highlights of her knowledge of nutrition, cooking, and health. "Deidre Hall's Kitchen Closeup" begins with a discussion of what foods and appliances a kitchen should contain, continuing with specific recipes and cooking techniques. Hall's irreverent tone disarms even the most culinary-phobic reader; the title of the chapter on vegetables, for example, is "Make some new friends in the produce department", while the twelve vegetables with the largest pesticide count per serving are "The Dirty Dozen". Hall boils down (so to speak) her wealth of knowledge into a slim, conveniently-sized volume, yet she manages to include discussions on daily calorie count, ideal meal size, nutrition books, fruits, vegetables, grains, and even salts. Her tone is far from preachy: in an endearing twist, the dessert recipes are featured before soups and main courses, and Hall encourages her readers to "loosen up and eat some sweets" with their children to "make sure they know the difference between empty, sugary calories and really good treats." The recipes themselves are alluringly simple; most feature quantities such as "a couple" or "a handful", and a recipe for Pasta Verdi even encourages the reader to "whack [the greens] all up into small pieces and throw it in the big bowl you will serve it in." After the recipe section, Hall closes by thanking her readers for spending time with her. However, it is the readers who will undoubtedly have gratitude to Hall for sharing her secrets with them. If you want to see a closeup of anyone's kitchen, make it Deidre Hall's.

I am a huge Deidre Hall fan and I am so sorry to write a negative review on her book. I could write nothing, yet I have spent a lifetime also learning how to change my eating, cooking organically and learning all things holistic. I too follow Dr. Mercola and the other experts she mentions in her book. I think that $12.95 is an awful lot of money to charge for such a slim 78 page book that has so little information with most of the pages only half filled. This book has no depth. The authors often elude to having more information but send you to other resources to "do it" yourself. The soup recipes are repetitive and could have almost been condensed to one page. For example the carrot soup page could say. "Try this with red peppers" for the red pepper soup. I felt like I was reading an organic baby book for someone who has NEVER made a healthy dish in their lives. Yes Deidre some of your soap wathcing fans are intelligent and can easily afford your book. I do think you are knowledgeable but I dont think you pulled it off in this book by rushing it to press. Ms. Bowman is barely visible as a co-writer and with approx 17 recipes to offer your readers over a lifetime the two of you spent around the kitchen table is surprising. My girlfriend and I could pull our recipes together and have easily 1000's. 3 offerings include Borscht, coleslaw, and spinach soup to give you an idea. I have invested in two of your recommendations purchasing the smoked salt and the truffle salt (the later at Williams Sonoma for $28.00) and I look forward to trying these flavors in my cooking. I will be a fan of yours always and truly your expertise lies in front of the cameras. You were born to be a star and shame on DOOL for taking you away from us after all these years. I would love to see you back on DOOL. I'd also love to see you on anything primetime or in a major motion picture.

This book is awesome. It's funny and full of usefull information. It's like reading a long email from a gorgeous friend who is telling you how to become as gorgeous as she is. I hardly cook but after reading this, I'm ready to try some of the recipes. One thing that I like a lot in this book, is that the ingredients in these recipes are the kind we can get here in Europe too. Great book, I can warmly recommend it. :)

Funny, smart, inspiring... Simply fabulous! I love the "what to read" book suggestions and how absolutely uncomplicated the recipies are. I am definitely looking forward to hearing more from these two lovely ladies!

It's a cookbook that you'll actually enjoy reading cover-to-cover! Seriously! You feel like you're reading the words of an old friend. You'll be laughing, getting informed, and getting some great recipes all at the same time! Great book to grab for yourself or friend. It's the perfect book for those taking the first steps to a better, healthier life. It doesn't overwhelm you with information, but just gives you some raw facts and the resources to educate yourself. And I like the fact that the book itself is green too. All around great book! Like I said, LOVE this book.

Deidre and Lynn's "Kitchen Close Up" is an easy, fun read with great facts (list of fruits most sprayed with pesticides), healthy tips (truffle salt), and the best part about it is that it's GREEN! I have done much research on healthy foods and snacks over the last 5 years and they've hit it right on the nose- whole grains, ORGANIC veggies, ORGANIC fruits, and healthy fats. I've been making the Super Breakfast Smoothie with almond milk and rice protein and its YUMMY! Who knew to add a green like kale (my fave) or spinach?! I am so looking forward to making squash spaghetti. For those of you who try to avoid carbs (i.e. pasta) MUST try this!

The one and only thing I'd overlook in the book (and I hate to even write this but I feel the need to) is an artificial sweetener (like Splenda) as an ingredient in ANYTHING. Don't do it!

Other than that, here's to our health and happiness! Thank you, Deidre and Lynn!

Soap Queen Deidre Hall can do it all! I was thrilled to read her new cook book and find that it was so much more than I expected. Yes, the recipes are quick, easy, inexpensive and delicious, but the helpful tips put this book over the top! "Deidre Hall's Kitchen Closeup" also makes a great gift, so it's at the top of my list for Christmas. Thanks, Ms. Hall!

A lifelong fan of Deidre Hall, I was thrilled to receive this book and couldn't wait to read it when it arrived. Full of great tips and written in the most light, conversational and easy-to-read manner, this book reads quickly and left me more motivated than I have been in a long time.

After being injured at work and subsequently having several reconstructive knee surgeries, I have gotten more out of shape and gained more weight than ever before due to my inability to exercise. I think I have just been feeling disgusted with the whole multiple-year situation, but the encouragement and ideas in this book really helped perk me up, kick me in the butt and get me started back on the road to the fitness I have so missed. I haven't gotten to try all of the recipes or tips just yet, but the ones I have tried have served me very well. I look forward to trying the others as I continue to rehab, plan to buy copies for a number of my family and friends as gifts and do hope to see more great books from Deidre in the future!

I love this book. Deier has some great dish in it and they are very easy to make. Keep up the good work Deiedre

When i heard D was comming to Australia for her Health and beauty tour i was sooo very excited until i saw the daes she was here. I was still overseas and completly devastated that i couldnt go....So you imagine how happy i was when i could order her book through Amazon!!So when i returned home from my trip i was pleasantly susprised to find it waiting for me in my mail... I read it immediatly and loved every minute. Not only can the lady act, she can write.. It was fun and witty just like her and I'm really looking forward to thr rest of her books!! Deidre is truly a amazing and beautiful women. All of her fans will support her in everything you she does. We love you!!