Customer Reviews

The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Though I've seen complaints that these aren't all Martha's "original" recipes, I think those are from people who are missing the point. This is simply a compilation of the most popular recipes--more than 1,500 of them, this is a BIG book--which have appeared in Martha Stewart Living magazine to date. Stewart makes no secret of the fact that many of these recipes come from chef's, friends and others who have either appeared on her show or contributed to her magazine.

I've looked at other Martha Stewart cookbooks, including the classic "Entertaining," and think that, for the money, this is the best Martha cookbook on the market. It offers a wide variety and hits on all the favorites from both her show and magazine.

While I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as the only cookbook to have in your kitchen, it does have a great mix of old-fashioned classics--those contributed by Martha's mom are my favorite (I'm addicted to her meatloaf)--and meals which can "wow" company, both with taste and presentation.

Alongside the classics--"The Joy of Cooking" and/or "The New Joy of Cooking," the "Betty Crocker Cookbook," the "Fannie Farmer Cookbook" and/or a Cook's Illustrated title (either "The Best Recipe" or the "Cook's Bible")--the voluminous and comprehensive "Martha Stewart Living Cookbook" will round out a perfectly balanced recipe collection for anyone who enjoys cooking, or just wants to be able to put together a smart looking meal now and again.

I have to disagree with another reviewer here. Every recipe I have tried by M. Stewart and her staff has always turned out well. This book is a nice collection of the recipes from the TV series. I made her mom's meatloaf, it was easy and my family thought it was very good. For Martha skeptics, check this book out of the library first, as I did, then purchase it once you find out what a good cookbook it is!

I purchased this book being a fan of Martha's TV show, but afraid that the recipes may be too complex and time-consuming for me (a 20-year old beginning homemaker). I was also expecting that many dishes would call for extra trips to the grocery store for exotic ingredients I would rarely have on hand. As it turns out, most of the recipes can be prepared with a few staple pantry items and really don't take much time at all. However, for those of you who want a few unique, impressive dishes to add to your dinner party menu, you'll find those in this book as well. The book is also appealing to the eye and looks great on any bookshelf or in the kitchen. For the beginner or the family's favorite cook, this book will be used over and over and it's recipes will become favorites not only of yours but of the others who taste them. By using this cookbook alone, I have improved my cooking and baking skills more than I thought possible in a month. I highly reccomend this cookbook for anyone.

I have been hoping for years for a cookbook that would include all the "101" recipes which are all excellent! This is a wonderful book and I had to give it five stars in spite of my one complaint: The print is soooooo small! I would gladly have paid more for a larger book with larger print.

I was very anxious when my book came in the mail. However, after reading through it I was disappointed. There are very few pictures. I am one who likes to see what the finished product is supposed to look like. There were no recipes for quiche (what I was searching for). And, I found some of the recipes hard to follow. I have several Martha Stewart cookbooks and have been impressed with all the others. This one is going to go on a shelf as a decoration. I won't get much use out of it. For a book that was supposed to be a compilation of years of recipes I found that Martha must really love dates and figs. My family is a cheesecake family and the 4 recipes for cheesecake that were offered were just not good enough.

Like good wine, Martha continues to delight the masses! I love this book! Many people have thought Martha to be out of touch with reality, and while I understand where they are coming from, I think she has done a wonderful job in not making this book too difficult to understand. The recipes are very well organized, and add a great compliment to her show and website. Martha, I love you!

This is by far the best -I have them all and this is the icing on the cake. An excellent assortment from the magazine that covers simple, healthy food to elaborate and challenging productions. If you are a cook, someone who loves to cook, or a collector of great recipes get this! It's not for beginners or kitchen/time challenged, however.

OK...I'm not a big fan of Martha, every time I see her on TV I can't help but wonder where the "creativity" comes from...she seems so bland. What I like about the cookbook are some of the "101" recipes, for basics with zip. The meatloaf is amazing, and my mashed potatoes are crowd pleasers. What I don't like is that there is no estimate on prep time, whether this is something good to freeze, and what would be good to serve with it, etc. So in a sense, a little outdated in presentation.

This book is culled from 10 years of the magazine, and that's great--if you don't own a bunch of the other books. I do, and I've noticed that a lot of stuff gets republished. I didn't buy the book "Comfort Foods," because I already had much of it elsewhere. But guess what? The Gingerbread Snacking Cake from "Comfort Foods" is also in this book. I am, however, disappointed, that my favorite apple snacking cake from october or November 1996 was not in this book; that has to be my all time favorite cake, where you make the applesauce and then make the cake--my Auntie still talks about that cake, and I hope to make it agani one day (if I can find the recipe in the old magazine.) It's actually a very good book, "the best of the best," they say, especially if you have only become a subscriber or viewer recently. But still, if you're buying lots of the other smaller books, you'll find some repetition. That being said, the Bacon and Egg Pie, which was published in May 2000 in an article on doing breakfast, is without equal. Rich, creamy, (any low-carbers and Somersizers paying attention?) and full of what you eat breakfast for. Mushrooms, fried crisp in bacon grease, slivered bell peppers, bacon (of course) Parmesan and goat cheese (I've used other white cheeses with great success)and--YES!--cream. Cup and a half. Make this on the weekend for the entire week, and maybe some home made sausage too, if you're of a mind to do so. Fabulous. The Lemon Poppyseed Snacking cake went over well at a religious activity, as did the Gingerbread Snacking cake. Not too sweet, and VERY good. Yum. If you like to cook (or eat), this would be a good addition to your collection, especially if you don't subscribe to the magazine. Enjoy!

I love fruitcake and I have sampled so many recipes that my friends call me Dr. Fruitcake! Martha Stewart's recipe is the greatest! It's more than just fruit and nuts loaded with rum. It has body, and character. No holiday table should be without this recipe and several others featured in this fine book.

James H. McGavran