Customer Reviews

Just Like Grandma Used to Make: More Than 170 Heirloom Recipes for Remembered Tastes and Cherished Traditions

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This well-conceived book assumes something that is utterly reasonable: Americans of all stripes long for many of the foods that their grandmothers (and their friend's grandmothers) served. Many wonderful ethnic American cuisines are represented. In addition, we might long for recipes that are simple to shop for and prepare. Most of the recipes call for no more than six or eight ingredients, all available at the supermarket. (Grandma would not ever have gone to three stores to bake one cake, remember). That's one of the best things about this book. There are no hard-to-find ingredients, or complicated, 'foodie' techniques required. There are tables of equivalents (US, British, and metric) and a good index. In addition, many different culinary "grandmothers" contributed, so I'd guess that just about anyone would find recipes that jog the memory - and appeal thoroughly. The sweets, "treats," and desserts are some of the best I've yet found in one book. A great collection and well worth its 'remainder table' price.

i picked this one up at my library. it has so inspired that i've put together my own little binder filled with my mom's recipes. there's almost nothing so potent with memories than cooking, smelling, and eating the foods from my childhood. JUST LIKE GRANDMA really helped me realize what i treasure i could lose if i don't take down my mom's old stand bys that she's made over and over through the years. my favorite thing in this book is the no-brainer recipe for pie crust. pie crust has always been shrouded in mystery for me. but the authors gave me courage. if generations of women can make nice crust from this recipe then i can! don't miss this book. it will add so much to your life. the recipes are simple and clear and understandable.

I find myself referring to this cookbook more often than I anticipated. (I have dozens of cookbooks.) The recipes are for warm, comforting "home-style" foods. If you want to make biscuits like grandma's, this is the book for you. There are a few recipes that I will never use, just based on my personal tastes, but everything I have made from this book has been quite good. Recipes use standard pantry staples. (No imported squid ink here!) If you're a person that likes church-fundraiser type cookbooks, or "The Amish Cook", you'll enjoy this one too.

These ladies obviously know their recipes. It made me nostalgic for MY grandmother's great cooking.