Customer Reviews

Marie Claire Breakfast

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

 

 

Compiled by recipe writer and food stylist Jody Vassallo, "Lunch" is the latest addition to the Marie Claire cookbook series from Thunder Bay Press. Showcasing ninety-five lunch recipes, each of which is illustrated by a full-page color photograph of the finished dish, "Lunch" offers a culinary wealth of mouth-watering, appetite pleasing, gourmet quality recipes organized into chapters devoted to soups; pasta, noodles, and rice; seafood; poultry; meat; vegetables, and desserts. Of special note is the beginning section dedicated to 'Quick Ideas', a gallery of lovely photographs of quick and easy offerings that range from thickly sliced Turkish pide bread with olive tapenade and springs of thyme, to crunch grissini served with guava juice and soda., to a scoop of ice cream in a chocolate waffle cone pressed with gold leaf. An elegant yet thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' compendium of wonderful dishes that would grace any luncheon table or special occasion, "Lunch" is an enthusiastically recommended and inexpensive addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

I just recently purchased this book. It was the cover photo that actually sold the book. That asparagus was so beautifully presented and photographed.

Now, I have cooked for many years and really did not expect to have any difficulties with the recipes; however, the first one I made was a bit of a disaster. It was the Vegetable Pasta Torte that was drop-dead gorgeous in the photo with tomatoes, sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, cheese and pasta suspended in this egg mixture. I will admit... there was a warning in the recipe: "be careful not to burn the base", and guess what... it burned! I think the cooking time of 15-20 minutes could not have been correct and I was terribly disappointed. I proceeded to scrape off the burned part, and I must say, it was quite delicious underneath, but not a good beginning for my first try from this book.

The next recipe I tried was the Salmon Niçoise with Little Pasta Ears, and it was delicious. Please see the photo I have posted.

Until I try a few more recipes, I will give it 3 stars and will update after I try a few more.

Also... be aware that some of the ingredients called for in the recipes may not be easily available in your area... things such as: dashi granules, red miso, Kaffir lime leaves, Peking duck, poppadums, green papaya, kecap manis, etc.

I will update this review as I try more of the recipes... please, stay tuned!