Customer Reviews

Marcia Adams Christmas In The Heartland: Recipes, Decorations, and Traditions for Joyous Celebrations

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

 

 

Once I found this book in the bookstore, I was hooked! It's much more than just a recipe book, but the recipes . . . oh my! If you're looking for a book that will remind you of the recipes that you enjoyed from your grandmother, this book is for you! Treats both old and new - dandelion wine, elephant ears, best-ever brownies... Even if you aren't looking for a new cookbook, buy this one for the breath-taking photography and captions that pick you up and drop you breathlessly into the middle of the Heartland. This is a feel-good book that offers culinary delights and captures the essence of the Midwest beauty and culture at the same time. Don't miss it!

Marcia Adams Heartland is a beautfully done cookbook.Ihave all her books and watch her tv shows.Irecommend it to any one who is a fan or just likes to eat good food.I am waiting for any new ones to come out.

This 258 page book is generous with color photographs of food, local people and regional scenes. There are ample recipes and plenty of information about many of the recipes, and all sorts of background material that gives one a richer "taste" of the bounty of the eight Midwestern states covered in this book. I am from the East coast, and much of this is new to me...so I'd happily rely on a true Midwesterner to really rate the recipes.

I'm picky about giving 5 star ratings, and this is over a 4 rating for most people, as some of the true 5 star books can be breathtakingly beautiful and/or informative.

From gamebird pie to snickerdoodles, Amish friendship bread to blackberry jam cake with sherry sauce, and "newcomers" such as Asian-American slaw with peanuts and jalapenos, this instructs about comforting foods, and leaves you more knowledgeable about delicious food that doesn't rely on "stacking", "foams", mismatched cuisines and spices (stretching the intent of "fusion") or other trendy artifice to satisfy your palate.

Learn about the Spoon River Anthology, Sinclair Lewis, Polish Pierogis, Poticia and antique apples...learn the best times to plant root vegetables, corn or apples while flipping the pages...this is a book to be savored, whether next to a wood burning stove or from a 24th story balcony overlooking a sunset...

The photos are wonderful in this book, and I've enjoyed quite a few recipies. The book isn't quite as completely appealing as the first Cooking From Quilt Country. I also find that there are errors in the recipies. I telephoned the publisher, Clarkson Potter, twice before finally getting an errata slip. A delicious muffin recipe had no flour in it!

The photographs in this book are stunning and highly appealing. The recipes I've tried are delicious. I particularly like the Swedish Pancakes, the Black Forest Torte, the Duck with Wild Rice Salad, and the Apple Pecan Pancakes. The recipes, however, are organized state by state, rather than by Appetizers, Salads, Soups, Entrees, etc. This makes the book great for skimming and finding an interesting recipe while browsing, but this also makes it difficult to look at all the appetizers, say, in one batch. As a result, I find myself using this cookbook less than I use others.

I was so happy to find a copy of Heartland: The Best of the Old and the New from Midwest Kitchens by Marcia Adams.
I had purchased a couple of Marsha's books when she was on PBS, but, due to unfortunate health problems (Heart transplant) no further series were produced. I have used many of Marcia's recipes and found none that my family didn't enjoy. There is much to learn about midwest, amish, and mennonite cooking in all of Marcia Adam's books.

Excellent Cookbook!!!! The receipes are just good home cooking from scratch!!! Marci Adams always puts together a good cookbook!!!!

This book is a companion to the PBS holiday TV special "Christmas in the Heartland" with Marcia Adams (I think it aired back in 1992.) Four different families are visited each sharing authentic holiday celebrations from 4 different time periods. A pre-civil war farm house, a Moravian holiday, a Victorian Christmas, and a contemporary holiday party are highlighted. Each family shares their authentic recipes, decorations, and traditions. This book is lovely with full color glossy pictures throughout. I especially enjoyed the Moravian traditions because I live near Bethlehem and have always loved the Moravian recipes and decorations during Christmas. I have only made one recipe/craft to date but I love to page through this book while listening to Christmas music to put me in the holiday spirit.

I was very disappointed in this book. The recipes and crafts didn't seem nearly as well perfected as in the authors other books. For example, applesauce cinnamon ornaments did not include glue (which makes them much sturdier, smoother, less breakable, and resistant to bugs). Had the author done any checking whatsoever, she would have learned this -- but seemed more eager in rushing to press than in perfecting the recipes/projects. I was very disappointed.

Are we on a wait too? for how many Months???