Customer Reviews

Pure & Simple: An Incircle Cookbook

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although I have almost 2,000 cookbooks, this remains one of my all-time favorites, to which I turn again and again. I received a copy from a friend whose recipe was included in it -- and have since give copies to my own favorite people. Everything I have tried has been outstanding. The recipes were contributed by members of Neiman-Marcus's InCircle group of customers from all over the country, and almost all of the contributors included brief descriptions of the dishes, how they acquired the recipes, etc. They were then tested before publication. And all proceeds go to charity. I can't think of anything else I'd want in a cookbook -- delicious recipes, well-tested, described by the contributors, and all proceeds go to charity. And it ia a beautiful, professionally-printed book, to boot. VERY highly recommended.

Pure and Simple is full of great recipes. There are so many simple recipes in this book, as the title implies, yet many are also elegant dishes that are great for serving company. My shelves are full of cookbooks, but this one is the one I use the most!

This is one of our favorite cookbooks, every recipe I have tried has received rave reviews. For example, Savory Salmon Steaks, Cuban Black Beans, Garden Salad with Almonds and Oranges, Brie with Sun Dried Tomato's, Gazpacho de Blanco...all superb recipes and others!!! Makes a wonderful gift. Most recipes have a comment about it's origin along w/ suggestions for serving.

This is far and away the best cookbook I have ever had the pleasure of cooking from. I am serious when I say that every recipe is wonderful and easy to assemble. There are some that have even become family staples and are made frequently. Anyone who loves to cook should have this on their shelves.

I received this book as a wedding gift 8 years ago from my little sister in my soroity. Unfortunately, it sat on my shelf for two years until I finally got around to trying one out. Well, the first recipe was easy (Lemon bars) and a hit. (which built my confidence as I wouldn't call myself The "Galloping Gournet") Anyway, every recipe I've made has been great and I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone...."seasoned or not" in the kitchen. I especially like the chicken recipes...and the Christmas Stew has become a family tradition each Christmas Eve. I think of my sorority sister Leslie, every time I use the book and consequently thank her again each year in my Christmas card for giving me such a wonderful gift that has lasted all these years. I'm only disappointed that Neiman Marcus never came out with another one! Cheers!

This has been my favorite cookbook for a long time! Every dish Ihave made from this book has been excellent and is easy to prepare. Party Steaks are the only way to cook fillets...it's a foolproof recipe and very impressive!! Party Ryes are a fav appetizer...everyone always asks for the recipe. I have so many cookbooks but this is always the one I go to. My sister has it too and we always compare notes.

A friend of mine contributed one of the recipes to this book, and gave me a copy. Upon discovering it on Amazon, I ordered copies for many friends -- all of whom love it as much as I do.

This book is a collection of recipes from Neiman-Marcus's In Circle customers -- all of which were then carefully tested in Neiman-Marcus's renowned restaurant kitchens. As a result, everything is delectable and virtually fail-safe. I have tried many of the recipes, and have been unfailingly thrilled with the results.

Best of all, most of the contributors wrote brief descriptions of what makes their recipes so special and popular -- so the book is as much fun to read as to cook from, and virtually guarantees stellar results.

Although I own well over a thousand cookbooks, this remains my number one favorite. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!

Got one originally from NM & have gotten so many compliments on so many recipes I've purchased copies for friends! I highly recommend this cookbook & have gotten more outstanding recipes from it than I have from any other I own.

Nearly every recipe is a winner, very, very few "skunks", and some of those were probably just to my taste.

Winners/"Must Try"/Any of These are Worth the Price of the Book/I Fix These Over & Over Recipes: Cheesewiches (I make 3 batches at a time & freeze!), Kevin's Artichoke Dip, Roulades de Jambon (substituted gherkins for cornichons), Creole Corn Chowder, Layered Southwestern Salad, Salade de Homard en Petits Pains, Cranberry Relish, Twin Mallets Ranch Chicken, Perfect Party Steaks, Vegetable Souffle, Panned Carrots, Apricot Glazed Carrots, Corn Casserole, Corn Fritters, Crusty Potato Balls, Hummingbird Cake, Chocolate Joycies, Mystery Pecan Pie, Tarte Tatin.

I had no luck/didn't care for these: Roasty-Toasty Cheese & Onion Bread (too dry), Calla Lily Cookies (too thick, broke & wouldn't roll up), Margarita Pie w/Pretzel Crust (way too much crust & was tasty, but a lot of work for what you get), Gateau au Chocolat (bake 3 hours?--it came out like a large brown hockey puck), Clara's Chocolate Icebox Supreme (my guests liked it, just not to my taste)

In the early 90s when this was first published I borrowed it from my neighbor and my dog Gus chewed on the corners. I had to buy my neighbor a new one and keep the chewed one. It was the best thing Gus ever did for me (he was otherwise an annoying dog). My copy opens automatically to Cuban Black Beans (I've kept a batch in my fridge nearly continuously for almost 20 years), Momma Mae's Sunday Pork Chops, Chicken and Fettucine Casserole, and Mexican Chicken. The book is pretty beat up; I probably ought to buy a new one, but I'm used to the chewed corners.