Customer Reviews

Secrets from the Southern Living Test Kitchens

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a good, informative book, but the title is misleading. It is actually an encyclopedia of general cooking knowledge with a few tips thrown in.

It has 5000 short articles, in alphabetical order, primarily on cooking ingredients and dishes, but also cooking techniques, equipment and a few recipes. The articles are from 2 lines to 1 page with an average of 9 per page. It calls them `secrets', but descriptions of basil and banana pepper are not secrets or tips. However, it does have a few sidebars that qualify as secrets and tips.

It spite of the misleading title, it is a good book and I recommend it. It has useful information for beginner to intermediate cooks. Because it is an encyclopedia, it is not a good choice for a book to just sit down and read or to learn cooking from. For that, try `Cooking' or `I'm Just Here for the Food'. It is most useful when you need to know something specific, such as how to knead bread, what is kosher salt or which knife to use.

I've used several of the recipes in this book with my high school cooking classes. So far, they've all turned out to be really good. Besides recipes, the book also includes information about different foods, not all necessarily Southern although that is its focus. You do have to get used to the alphabetized format--but it also has an index in case you don't know where to go looking for a recipe.

What a pleasant surprise!!!!!! Southern Living always publishes great cookbooks, which is exactly what I expected here. But, this really isn't a cookbook. It's a great reference book. The lay out is like a food dictionary with an alphabetical listing of cooking terms and ingredients and along the way there are recipes that accompany the ingredient or term being referenced. You will pull this one from the shelf over and over again.

By far one of the best books out there for people who find themselves in the kitchen alot. I have been cooking for too many years to count and I still reference this book frequently. Most of my friends and family own this book because I have recommended it or given it as a gift.

I received this as a gift and love it! I cook a lot and sometimes the recipes ask for ingredients or give instructions I am not sure of so this was a wonderful asset to my cookbook collection. All entries are in alphabetical order so things are easy to find. There are also great recipes in the book.

I love this book. Yes, there are some recipes but the main purpose of the contents is to give the reader easy access to just about any subject involving cooking or the kitchen. Like some of you I first assumed this would be a nice cookbook. But don't let the publishers fool you, it is an easy-to-read alphabetized source of kitchen terms. Also packed into the pages are test kitchen secrets, timesaving and reader tips, Southernisms, and, as told to you before, a limited amount of recipes.

Not only would it make a wonderful gift for someone just starting out in the kitchen but I would think of it as a favor to anyone who loves to cook. How do you prevent a skin from forming while cooking a pudding, what is the best way to remove dirt from leeks, and is cholesterol actually related to cooking fats and oils? What is an oeuf? Why do so many recipes call for roasted nuts? What do you use a jelly bag for? Conventional and not-so common details are listed. I love the format of the knowledge listed in this book and I think you will, too.

I've been cooking for 29 years and still find a need to use this book on a regular basic. I LOVE IT - no home should be without it!!!!

Bought used. The book was in great shape. Got it alot sooner than expected. Cheap and shipping was not bad. Will definitly order again.

Southern Living never lets me down. I have never tried a recipe from them that is not outstanding. This book with helpful hints and tips will be much used.