Customer Reviews

Island Cooking: Recipes from the Caribbean

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

 

 

My sister has this book and I was impressed by the range of recipes it carries. (see the Search Inside the Book for a sampling)
The format is easy to use, with the list of ingredients down the side of the page next to the instructions. At a glance, you can see if you have on-hand what the recipe requires.
Some ingredients are not on the average American's cupboard shelf, but the author tells where to search for them (Hispanic grocery stores) or suggests a substitution. The glossary goes into more detail on this, such as explaining the six forms of coconut (grated, shredded, coconut water, milk, cream & oil).
Cook up an island feast for a party of friends or just treat yourself. This book makes it easy.

the recipes in island cooking cookbook are great and easy to follow. it has allow me to keep in touch with my caribbean roots by trying out and tasting the delicious recipes. Bigup to Dunstan Harris for a job well done. I recently purchased the Island BBQ cookbook and look forward to trying the recipies. I would recommend this book to my family and friends.

Serious mistake:
The author chose to reduce the traditional level of heat in these recipes to accommodate a bland North American palate. Wrong move. He should have left them painfully spicy and suggested ways to reduce the heat if desired. As a result, I can't give the book more than two stars.

Minor irritant:
What I thought was the vegetarian section turned out to be a handful of veggie dishes listed within a chapter full of meaty dishes. I should have read the chapter title more carefully- "Rice and Beans, Vegetarian Main Dishes, and Side Dishes" turns out to be mostly meat...even the rice & beans have meat in them.

I love this cookbook. It always makes me want to go on vacation when I'm cooking from it. I appreciate that the author took the time to tell you some of the history/culture of the islands the recipes come from.

All the recipes I've used have gotten nothing but rave reviews from my family and friends. I've purchased 4 of these cookbooks as gifts.

Some of the ingredients are not commonly used in the US. However, many Latino, Hispanic, Indian or Asian stores carry some of the ingredients. And you usually can get them at a much lower price than the grocery chain stores.

This cookbook is a fun way to introduce your family to a different culture.

have been using this book for a few months now and really enjoy the recipes.

I was not impressed. Many of these pedestrian recipes are "carribean" mainly on account of the addition of an ingredient such as soy sauce, or lime juice, or coconut oil (for frying). I gave it away.