Customer Reviews

500 Treasured Country Recipes from Martha Storey and Friends : Mouthwatering, Time-Honored, Tried-and-True, Handed-Down, Soul-Satisfying Dishes

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Absolutely fabulous. The first section on kitchen know-how walks you through measurements, terms, and techniques with handy reference charts. Next you'll enter the basic and well-stocked kitchen with great ideas for the novice and pro. An endearing section called Grandma's Gadgets follows with items from pea shellers to pickle forks.

Pantry staples with detailed items and storage suggestions along with a quaint glance at her "company pantry" chock full of home made goodies.

The recipes stem from old-fashioned to modern and everything in between. Martha will make your mouth water with recipes for Greek Omelette's, Orange French Toast, Waffles and Crepe's, Blueberry Cinnamon Doughnuts,and Fritters in the breakfast category.

Meal ideas and recipes are available from Hummus to Pumpkin Tempura and everything in between.

In need of a yummy dessert? Search through page after page with possibilities of Swiss Braided Bread, Soft Pretzels, Ginger Scones, Johnny Appleseed Cake and so much more.

Learn about jam's and jellies, sausage making, proper freezing methods, gift ideas and a bit of history all with a delightful country living feeling.

A wonderful addition to any baker or cooks shelf.

Martha Storey (and Friends) certainly did put together an amazing cookbook here. The recipes are authentic and having made a number of them already, I might add quite delicious. (I particularly enjoyed the Johnny Appleseed Cake). Believe it or not it even has a great number of techniques and tools for making your own cheese, cured and smoked meats, root beer, real beer, wine, and even liquors. I was simply blown away by the amount of information given in this tome of the country kitchen.

I have to say, though, I was at times disappointed with the amount of recipes in the book. It seems to spend so much time on the quantity of genres and ingredients, that I felt it lost a little on the quantity of each individual section. For example, I believe there could have been more than the paltry sum of beef or chicken recipes, not to mention the soup section, which while divided up nicely into different categories really could have spent more time on soup as a whole and incorporated more authentic country dishes. I also felt one or two of the entrees were not quite that 'country' or authentic for that matter.

Still, on the whole, I would have to say that 90% of the book is authentic and country. The techniques for making your own country foods is alone worth the buy. Maybe you will find that the quantity of courses and genres therein makes up for the mere 2 pages some of them are treated with. In which case, ignore my 4 stars and give it 5 of your own. I'm sure whether or not you agree with my one star difference, you will enjoy it just as much as I do on a constant basis. I still use it all the time and find it a constant go-to in my kitchen. I know you will agree.

When I got my first apartment, I bought The Joy Of Cooking, thinking I could make as much of a mess in the kitchen as I wanted without worrying about a roommate seeing it. All I wanted to do at first was make a good beef stew (my own trials were OK, but nothing I'd share with anyone). Well, in The Joy Of Cooking, the task was comparable to building a nuclear power plant from scratch. Fortunately, I got this book for Christmas that year (2 months later) and have since made all sorts of dishes I wouldn't dare to try with the recipes from that "other" book. Beef strognoff - fewer than 10 ingredients. Mac and cheese - 6 ingredients. Cheesecake - 4 ingredients. And they all taste great! I'd give this book 10 stars if it were possible.

This is a must have recipe book for anyone who has even the slightest inclination towards cooking. The recipes are easy to follow, easy to make, and absolutely scrumptious! Ms. Storey explains everything from cooking utensils to cooking techniques- this is one treasure of a recipe book ;)

This is another wonderful book by the Storeys. There is a collection of great recipes for every occasion, as well as information about how to make your own cleansers, a few nice crafts, even some info about canning, storage, and pickling. I love this book and have had great success with what recipes I have made from it so far. The directions are easy to follow, and there is definitly no shortage of great recipe ideas. A definite winner!

Just received my second copy of this book. I literally wore out my initial copy that I got 10 years ago to the point that it was falling apart. This is a frequently used book, because the recipes are delicious! There are many good recipes, but Sally's Best Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Frosting is the best!! I think that I would agree with a previous reviewer that she could have cut down on a lot of the narrative and put in more recipes, but that is my only criticism.

If you are searching for a book to give a novice cook, or for a new addition to a seasoned cook's collection, "500 Treasured Country Recipes" will delight them both! While the book is written in a warm, down-to-earth style that feels like home, it is much, much more than a "country" cookbook. It is really a hefty, charmingly illustrated, all-inclusive volume of cookery, crafts, housekeeping, gardening, and useful advice. Written by Martha Storey and friends (an impressive roster of talent featured as contributors at the book's end), this expansive resource of recipes and more offers tempting treats to please every palate. On the savory side, you'll find dishes like "Zucchini with Mozzarella and Parmesan", which begins with bacon, onions and garlic sizzling in the skillet. "Southwestern Cranberry Sauce" blends the flavors of fresh cranberries and jalapeno peppers, and refines them with sugar and seasonings. "Onion & Mushroom Gravy" made with rich pan drippings, onions, mushrooms and seasoned stock may cause you to forgo a formal meal and stand at the stove dipping chunks of bread into the gravy pan. The desserts are delicious, decadent, and downright divine. Try to resist "Soul Satisfying Rice Pudding", "Baked Bananas in Maple Rum Sauce", or "Blueberries Romanoff". I won't even try to resist--I surrender! You'll also find detailed, illustrated instructions for making butter, cheese, beer, wine, and even soda pop. If you're a crafter, you'll really enjoy the sections featuring handcrafts, holidays, and homemade gifts. I don't have enough words or review space to detail all that this wonderful book has to offer. I will just say that it is indeed a "treasure", and you will reach for it time and time again.

Review Copy Gratis Storey Publishing

This worthy cookbook, along with the usual chapters on soups, salads, entrees and sweets, offers sections on kitchen know-how, tools and staples, as well as seasonal and holiday suggestions. Carryouts are here, including picnics, potlucks and bake sales; so too are kitchen arts, encompassing making yogurt, cheese, jams, pickles and curing meats. A chapter on kitchen crafts and kitchen gardens concludes this fascinating "Storey" of a kitchen from a skilled Vermont cook, Martha Storey.

I've owned this book for quite some time. It is one of my favorites out of all my cookbooks.

I love how so many recipes have a sweet little family story to go with it. I love how nothing in here is complicated. I love how it encourages me to make my own vinegars and cheese and sausage. I love how it tells me what I can make from foraged items in the wild, should the need arise. I love how it has recipes for homemade cleaning products and beauty aids. This book is entertaining, practical and useful.

great book with many interesting recipes and good tips

a must for serious cooks