Customer Reviews

Moosewood Restaurant Cooks for a Crowd: Recipes with a Vegetarian Emphasis for 24 or More

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

 

 

I originally bought this book for the kitchen at our organic farm, where we regularly feed >15 people a day. After reading it myself, I wanted a copy for home too. Anyone who's vegetarian will need to cook in quantity at some point (dinner parties, etc.), and this book makes it easy to do so. No more multiplying like crazy and ending up with haphazard results. I also liked that the ingredients were given by weight, which makes it much easier to measure out.

The best thing about this cookbook is that the quantities of ingredients are all set. You don't need to double or triple the recipe. I bought this cookbook especially for today b/c I was in charge of preparing a lunch for 20 people as part of an all day workshop at work. I made the cream of broccoli soup, the black bean soup, and the greek salad pitas. The only recipe I would make again would be the greek salad - which was wonderful. The cream of broccoli soup was so bland that I was desparately tried to fix it. What saved me was that I created a red pepper pesto type paste to add to each bowl. Without it, I didn't even want to serve the soup. The black bean soup lacked luster as well. I was not proud to serve either soup. Like I mentioned earlier the large quantitiy recipes made grocery shopping and preparation easy. But who cares if it is easy to make mediocre soups - no thanx. I am disappointed in Moosewood. Also I specifically chose two soup recipes that the cookbook raved about as 'a time-honored favorite' and 'one of the most poplular'.

This is the ultimate book on cooking vegeterian entrees. It's based on volume but don't let that scare you away. With a few simple reductions you are on your way to preapring some of the most mouth watering, vegetarian items from the tried and true recipes of the Moosewood Restaurant.

The recipes are easy to follow and will come in handy in large scale kitchens. The new trends are involving clients that not only know their food but demand quality and consistency while maintaining a healthy diet. This book will help you meet those demands, and set new standards for your vegetarian items.

Pick it up and give it a whirl. It's a great book for home or your production kitchen.

After all these years you would think that Moosewood cookbooks would get stale and repetitive. But just like the meals still served in this "gee it's good to be back home" Ithaca restaurant, there is always something new to delight those who love to both cook and eat! And we are not talking about your normal American meal here - Moosewood, if nothing else is known for its creative combination of flavors, blending herbs, spices, and other ingredients to create another divine experience for your palate.

"Cooks for a Crowd" is a wonderful compendium of recipes, cooking and entertaining hints, serving suggestions, and themes for those facing large gatherings. As someone who is hosting a holiday party, a celebration, a dinner, wedding, or any other large event, this is a great resource for delicious and unusual - but not weird - ideas on what to serve. And while the thought of new recipes and hosting a large party may sound daunting, the advice offered here by the more-than-capable Moosewood staff is actually stress-reducing! The recipes are simple but delicious; the party suggestions are commonsense, fun, and completely doable by even the most unsociable of us!

The book also suggests menus if you need help putting together the whole shebang. It is a great addition to any cook's shelf and another winner from those Moosewood people.

I bought this when I was working for a 5* Deli and bakery. I was in charge of making the salads and soups. It was so wonderfully easy to follow and different enough that I was able to make some very creative dishes that our customers were asking for the recipe. I highly recommend it.