Customer Reviews

The Summer Book

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My absolute favorite cookbook! I bought this a few years ago and my copy is dog-eared and splotched from so much use in the kitchen! Our favorite recipe is the roasted vegetables...so easy and healthy. And, when you get the winter blahs...just take out your copy of this book and your heart will be warmed and you'll look forward to summer with all of Susan Branch's illustrations; wonderful ideas for your home and life; and the recipes. It makes you want to take a trip to Martha's Vineyard. A must have...a great gift!

This is my all-time favorite book by Susan Branch! The recipes, the ideas, the personal stories all bring it home. When the dog-days of summer hit I reach for my copy and escape ~ she has so many ideas that don't take a lot of pre-prep. Her recipes are great (try the potato salad or the pacific coast peelers). A great addition to anyones cooking library and a must for those soon-to-be-brides! I have even given this book as a hostess thank you. You won't be disappointed!

When my daughter came back form her holiday in the USA 4 years ago, she brought this book for me as a present. It was in a "SURPRISE-PACKAGE" together with water-colored luminaries. Till now I haven't found such gorgeous things in Europe. I read this book every year at the beginning of summer and put myself into the mood. I feel, it comes from heart and goes to heart. It is so lovely, warming and caring. I wont miss it.

Susan Branch is a talented woman. Her cookbooks are beautifully illustrated with her drawings throughout. Her stories convey a warm sense of family and fun and will make you daydream about summer even in August.

Her recipes are simple and fairly easy to make and she leans heavily towards family friendly comfort foods with a little bit of pizazz. In fact, it is her ideas for presentation that make some of the recipes so special (the Bowl of Vegetables comes to mind...a simple twist on crudite that is elegant and delicious).

Those with picky children may find this book to be a surprising source of ideas (Lemon Linguini, Corn Salad, Lemon Chicken, Sweet Potato Fries, Kiwi Cups and Tortilla Roll-ups to name a few).

Her recipe for Crab Cakes is very good as is the one for Fish Tacos. Her recipes for vegetables are among her best; very simple and often quick ways to make vegetables special without drowning them in anything.

The Profiteroles recipe is my husbands favorite; the shells are simple to make and freeze very well. I love to make the Crostini for parties, the recipe is very flexible and all of the variations are a treat.

I love that she is not afraid to mix ideas and food and drawings and inspirational sayings all together in one book. You might not think that a quote from Gandi and a recipe for Jell-o shots could co-exist, but they do, and it works.

Having been the first Susan Branch book I've used, The Summer Book will always be my favorite. She reminds us of the little things in life that we should enjoy and cherish. Enjoyable for all ages (I'm only 23), you will yern for a more peaceful and sweet summer after all the craziness in our modern lives. More than just a cookbook, she shares her delightful thoughts on a summer garden to her personal summer memories. But of course, I must mention that the recipes in this book are absolutely delicious! She makes every moment fun and enjoyable.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! IT SEEMS THAT EVERY SPRING/ SUMMER WHEN THE WINTER BLAHS CREEP IN I GET THIS BOOK OUT AND REMEMBER LITTLE TIDBITS SUSAN HAS SHARED WITH US ALL! THE CAJUN SHRIMP IS EXTRA FABULOUS, AS IS EVERYTHING ELSE, MY POOR BOOK HAS COOKING SPLOTCHES ALL OVER IT! RUN TO GET THIS BOOK!

Susan Branch will make you smile with her stories and remember childhood dreams of summers past. You'll be thinking of all the people in which to share this book. The ideas will have you planning an intimate supper or a gathering of close friends. It was such a delight reading this book. I read it right to the end. Enjoy!

This is a unique book, full of beautiful illustrations, easy to use recipes, quotes and ideas for making Summer a special season.

I love her books...just wish she could publish more and quicker, but knowing the handwritten work is long it is appreciated that much more! I wonder how many of us that read and collect her books would like to be just like Susan! She is nostalgic and homey, whitty and relaxing. Can't wait for her next work.

Susan Branch's art gives "The Summer Book from Heart of the Home" a fabulous quality. It's a book you won't be able to put down. The illustrations are so great you just keep looking at them, discovering new things each time around. The recipes cover a wide spectrum, and this is a cookbook for people who want their recipes presented with true style. This book would make a great gift for anyone who appreciates all the best in life.