Customer Reviews

The Frugal Gourmet Keeps the Feast: Past Present and Future

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Jeff Smith gives some incredible instruction on food history and what feasting means to humanity before he ever gets to the recipes in this book. I love how he moves from past to present. Food is so very social and this man communicates well how important a sense of community and dining are linked. Makes me yearn for more extended family meals that have significance. The way I think about entertaining is altered after reading this book. Give yourself some time, sit down with a cup of tea, and give this book a good read. It is much more than a collection of recipes.

...is how this so-much-more-than a cookbook cookbook reads. Beyond tasty recipes, I found Smith's reintroduction of the concept of meals a true inspiration. His lively Biblical interpretations, witty lines, and tender family annecdotes are truly enjoyable but not cloying. All readers, cooks or not, can benefit from and enjoy Smith's insight into the historical and metaphysical elements of sustenance.

My title blurb say it all. This book is filled with great recipes, history and tradition! Jeff Smith spoke about interesting traditions and origins on his entertaining PBS show. Before 'The Food Network' we had the witty and talented 'Frugal Gourmet'. This book deals with some simplistic, yet very good classic family dishes. Nothing fancy, just great traditional family food! Something the world seems to be missing these days is time spent in the kitchen with the family preparing meals for "get together". Make time for this book, your family and friends! Even if your not a "religious" person these are words to live by.

This is yet another excellent cook book by Jeff Smith! It's full of great recipes and stories by a very talented cook and writer. This one focuses on old world cooking. I have used many of these recipes and found them to be very good. Being a home grown cook myself and having had many of my grandmother's classic recipes handed down to me, I found this book to be very helpful in expanding my culinary taste buds.

Jeff Smith entertained us for years on his PBS program 'The Frugal Gourmet'. Not only did he teach us many savory dishes, he also educated us. Not satisfied with just cooking delicious meals for his viewers, he would give detailed history lessons about the origins of the dish and made it all a lot of fun!

This may be Mr. Smiths best cook book and it is a worthy edition to everyone's cook book library. I own and have read many, if not all of his cook books, not only for the man's knowledge of cooking, but his incredible wit! This guy was funny and I would have loved to have hung out and throw a few beers down with him.

Unfortunately, this man had some very seriously bad press released about his personal life and well..... I am not one to spread rumors.....he seemed like a great guy and sadly he died before he was able to clear his name.

R.I.P. Frugs!

I first encountered this book 15-20 years ago - and loved it. I recently ordered a used copy for my nephew who is a great cook & and active man in his church. I thought the unique recipes with Biblical background information would be right up his alley. Jeff Smith's books and TV shows were always educational and entertaining. May he rest in peace.