Delia's Summer Collection [Paperback]

Delia Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2007

This is a celebration of summer and all its glorious ingredients -- Delia has distilled the essence of summer into a book that brings the sun into the kitchen whatever the weather. From early May to September a dazzling progression of summer produce brings with it a freshness, a sense of excitement and anticipation of what is new. Summer Collection takes that as its inspiration and introduces us to the more unusual ingredients that are growing in popularity; rocket and lemon grass, and herbs such as fresh coriander and sorrel. More familiar ingredients are transformed by the subtle influence of Californian, Italian, Greek and Oriental flavours and ideas.
 
Here new techniques for grilling and roasting vegetables are explained; here are stunning home-made ice creams, barbecues for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, a feast of fresh fruits, as well as a section on preserves to recapture some of the flavours of summer in the dark days of winter.
 
All Delia's recipes are tested again and again to make them totally accessible to everyone who enjoys cooking and eating. The Summer Collection also includes information on equipment, ingredients and menus for entertaining.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Delia Smith is a British phenomenon. Offering confidence-inspiring cooking instruction on TV and in print--more than 11 million copies of her books have sold--she's a U.K. culinary superstar known to cause national product shortages when she plugs ingredients. Delia Smith's Summer Collection, the American edition of her British bestseller, offers more than 120 easy recipes plus menus for a wide range of hot-weather dishes. It also includes innovative suggestions for grilling, meat and vegetarian barbecue strategies, and a selection of formulas for fruit preserves, among other light-handed instruction. Smith's friendly, in-the-trenches-with-you volubility and her evident food savvy should make the book a happy addition to U.S. cookbook libraries.

Recognizing the trepidation with which Americans may approach British recipes, Smith asserts the fine taste of her formulas and her intention to proceed "with lively optimism." She needn't have worried. Recipes such as Roasted Tomato Soup with a Purée of Basil, Barbecued Sardines with Summer Herb Sauce, and Angel Hair Pasta with Thai Spiced Shrimp make for happy dining here. Especially noteworthy sweets include Summer Fruit Millefeuille, Lemon Meringue Ice Cream, and Compote of Fresh Figs in Muscat Wine with Vanilla Custard. Though Smith offers some "returned-to-you" American recipes that can't be said to advance the culinary argument, even these are well conceived, and who would reject her hot fudge sundae, blueberry and pecan muffins, or half-pounders (more than a quarter-pound improvement on our burger specialty). With 50 color photos of the food in all its glory, this large-format book is as easy to welcome as its popular author. --Arthur Boehm --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Smith's name and face may be unfamiliar on this side of the Atlantic, but she has entered British households for years via a television program and numerous culinary volumes. Serving as her introduction to Americans, this beautifully produced book is filled with recipes highlighting warm-weather ingredients, such as asparagus, bell peppers, berries, fresh herbs, and crab. Although the fare displays a gourmet touch, instructions are clearly written. And, unlike more esoteric cookbook authors, Smith sometimes simplifies a recipe but still maintains its essential character. Considered by many to be Britain's answer to Martha Stewart, Smith, with her down-to-earth style, is as refreshing as the food presented here. Alice Joyce --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: BBC Books (March 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0563488700
• ISBN-13: 978-0563488705
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 0.5 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #901,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, September 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Delia Smith's Summer Collection (Hardcover)

You have to try the Roasted Peppers recipe - it's easy and I continually impress all dinner guests with the simple dish. The Chicken Basque is delicious and although the fresh fruit terrine needs 24 hours to finish, it tastes great, looks delicious and impresses everyone. It is my favourite cookbook!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Light reading; light cooking, November 24, 2007

By 

G. Stephen Decherney (Chapel Hill, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Delia's Summer Collection (Paperback)

If you are looking for light, fast to prepare, and delicious Summer recipes this is a great choice. As there are innumerable cookbooks available, I am highly selective in my cookbook library. Like every other foodie, I have a few cook-bibles (Marc Bittman, Cooks Illustrated, Fannie Farmer), but I do add the occasional unusual reference. Delia Smith's book is one.

The recipes in this book are clearly described, easy to follow, and range from appetizers to meals.

Most important, however, is that recipes in this book are not found elsewhere.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delia Rocks!, October 31, 2006

By 

voracious reader "m wivell" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Delia Smith's Summer Collection (Hardcover)

I've been using this cookbook for a few years and checked to see if she'd written anything new. The recipes are delicious. The cooking instruction is clear. She adds a special touch with her comments that make me feel that I have an expert guiding me in the kitchen. This American cook loves Delia Smith! My family, guests and neighbors love the recipes I prepare with this book and Delia's Winter Cookbook.