4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Out of this world recipes made easy, June 17, 2004
This review is from: The Sophisticated Gourmet: Quick & Easy Recipes from a Renaissance Man (Paperback)
I am very impressed by the range of dishes covered by Noel Tyl in this book. From pasta & sauces to duck and rabbit, Tyl not only provides recipes that are easy to follow but does so in every day language. Do you sometimes read a cookbook and have to look up the "chef speak" in order to understand it? You won't have to with this book - it's easy to follow and neatly laid out. Tyl uses ingredients that any of us can find in the supermarket or local store, so you won't have to make any trips to expensive gourmet markets (unless you want to!) Also, the cooking tips that he provides in the book's appendix are enough of a crash course to get you started on your way to impressing everyone with your culinary skills. This is one cookbook that deserves a space on everyone's bookshelf.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!, August 25, 2004
This review is from: The Sophisticated Gourmet: Quick & Easy Recipes from a Renaissance Man (Paperback)
If you are looking for a gourmet cookbook, but you are a beginning cook, then I may have found your book!
Noel Tyl has had a long career as an astrologer, and an opera star! I have to admit, when the publisher approached me to review this book, I was hesitant. I like reviewing good cookbooks, and I wasn't sure that an opera-singing astrologist could really cook! But, I was wrong.
This cookbook features over one hundred recipes for health-conscious people. The recipes are simple to understand and easy to prepare. They are designed for everyday meals, quiet dinners for two, and other festive occasions. If you are a beginning cook, but would like to prepare your recipes with fresh ingredients in lieu of packaged products, then The Sophisticated Gourmet is the cookbook for you.
The ingredients are easy-to-find. I was able to find mine at the local grocery store. So, there is no need to order any supplies online or find a gourmet shop, if you have one in your area.
There is a decent sized index with tips explaining what pantry items to keep in stock, as well as how to cut vegetables, herbs to choose, how to check for doneness and much more.
On the downside, if you are a person that needs photographs in a book, unfortunately, they are not here. There are quite an abundance of drawings! And the recipes are so easy to prepare, I believe that despite a beginning cook's skill level, that you would be able to prepare your meals without photographs documenting every stage of the cooking process.
Due to Noel Tyl's careers, astrology and opera, he has had the opportunity to travel all over the world, hence sampling international cuisines! Some of the delicious recipes you will encounter in this book are: Chocolate Pound Rum-Cake, St. Gertrude's Lobster Soup, Crispy Duck & Bean Salad With Peanut-Sesame Dressing, Royal Hunt Roasted Pork Tenderloin, plus many more. And as you may be able to tell, this is definitely a meat-eater's book. There are some vegetarian recipes, but you would need to be an extremely innovative cook with your tofu to utilize the majority of the meat recipes.
So, if you would like to try innovative recipes designed for the novice skill level, written in an easy-to-read manner, than Noel Tyl's The Sophisticated Gourmet is for you! I enjoyed The Sophisticated Gourmet, and I am sure you will too!
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Above average meals for the average cook, March 27, 2004
This review is from: The Sophisticated Gourmet: Quick & Easy Recipes from a Renaissance Man (Paperback)
With over a hundred recipes "The Sophisticated Gourmet" is sure to have several that are pleasing to even the most discerning palate. Don't let the title fool you, the recipes may have fancy names and an usual ingredient or two but they are not difficult to prepare. Anyone can prepare such excellent dishes as Tortellini with Pesto and Pistachios, Fettuccine Pasta with Alfredo Sauce and a touch of Prosciutto, or Chicken Breast with Prosciutto-Provolone Roll-Around. These are all very good dishes sure to impress anyone.
The various categories of dishes include pasta, fish, meats, nine full dinners, sauces, dressings, potatoes, vegetables, salads, and desserts. In each of the sections you will find anecdotes, tips, and background information to help you work with the various ingredients. Noel Tyl's "The Sophisticated Gourmet" is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in preparing meals that are sure to please and be the subject of conversation for days.
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