Customer Reviews

The Hali'imaile General Store Cookbook: Home Cooking from Maui

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those fans of Bev Gannon who have eaten at the upcountry Maui restaurant, first the bad news: the recipie for the crab dip on boboli is not included here. What's worse is the way Gannon teases the reader with this, sending you to four different pages before she tells you that she will take that recipie to her grave. For the good news, though, there are plenty of other tempting dishes here, many of them HGS "classics", such as the Chinese Chicken Salad and the Chocolate Macademina Nut Pie. Particularly enticing for special occasions are the Salmon Studel (her daytime wedding entree from her catering days) and the Herb Roasted Filet Mignon with Grilled Jumbo Prawns and Mushroom Ragout. I'm also excited about the Chicken with Artichokes, Sundried Tomatoes, and Pine Nuts as well as the pasta dishes and desserts! Almost all recipies rely on fresh fruit and/or Asian ingredients, and as we can expect from a Maui restaurant, fresh fish features prominently. Although some of the dishes seem straightforward and even simple (particularly the soups), many of the entrees have long lists of ingredients that will be more appropriate for weekend than weeknight cooking. Still, the contents are unique and unusual, and this cookbook promises to add at least one unforgettable dish to your repertoire. The dishes are also arranged by season, a format some cookbook lovers do not prefer. Still, if you're a fan of the restaurant and can't get there often, this is great reminder of a special dining experience. If only it included the crab dip....

The Portuguese Bean Soup recipe is really the best I've ever had.

The book is broken down by seasons which I found to be more authenic as well as easy to use. Most people don't realize that Hawai'i does indeed have seasons-other than the tourist season.

My step-father, a native of Hawai'i, and I have had much fun shopping for some of the ingredients here on the "mainland". We have been able to find just about everything to make several of the recipes (and neither of us live in a large town).

For some great Portuguese Bean Soup, you have to get this book!

I loved the recipes in this book, the layout etc. but thought it was strange that while there are some lovely photos of the finished recipes, there were also a lot of photos of just flowers. That's nice, I guess, they looked like native vegetation but if you were going to put a photo in that spot, why not a photo of the food? Other than that, great purchase and fast shipping!

I collect cookbooks, and play in the kitchen daily. This is the only one that stays on the counter! LOL A must have! Loaded with the most mouth watering~unique dishes of any cookbook I own~PLUS loaded with full color photos of food~Hawaii~etc with personal stories from author that make it a Great read whether using recipes or not! But , you would be crazy NOT to use the recipes....too very hard to pick a favorite! Go Bev! You rock, girl!

If you've ever been to the Hali'Imaile General store, you know this is going to be good. It's a great souvenir of your trip, even if you can't cook. The photos of the restaurant are wonderful as are the little opening stories Bev writes before each chapter begins. You do need to know a bit about cooking for some of the recipes.

Gannon was one of the founding members of Pacific Rim Cuisine in Hawaii, which takes advantage of local ingredients in creating a fusion of East and West. Her cookbook typifies that type of cuisine. My favorite recipes are the desserts, especially the lilikoi tart. Wonderful book, beautiful photos, but don't buy it solely for the crab boboli dip recipe, because it is NOT in there!

I love love love this cookbook! I have purchased it for myself and as gifts for my "foodie" friends. Been fortunate enough to eat at the restaurant when visiting Maui. Beautiful pictures and lots of wonderful recipes.

I think we've been to Bev Gannon's Hali'imaile General Store at least half a dozen times!
It's a great place in what the locals on Maui call "Up Country". Now you can share in the joy
these recipes bring. The Book is a great size. It fits nicely on a cookbook stand and is easy to read.

I hate to go into details that others here have already illuminated, but if you are looking for great
collection of Hawaiian inspired dishes or like our family; you are a fan of Bev and her lil' store, then look no further!

BTW - Food Network now has the recipe for Macadamia Nut Pie posted for all to enjoy!
[...]

Great cookbook. I made the chocolate mac nut tort this weekend. Yes, it was rich and delicious. The recipe is simple and uses more nuts and butter than other versions. I would not change a thing.

I have over 350 cookbooks, including more than 10 that are dedicated to Hawaiian Regional cuisine. Although many of the recipes have a Tex-Mex flavor, due to Bev's Texas roots, all that I have tried (many) are flat-out wonderful. The recipes are easy to follow and require mostly readily available ingredients. This is a must-have cookbook. The kahlua pork enchiladas are awesome! Add the cilantro cream sauce from an earlier recipe. This is how it is served at the restaurant.