Customer Reviews

Two Fat Ladies

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3 star:		(1)
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The Two Fat Ladies have released another fine cookbook to their saucy collection. I enjoy cooking elaborate or unusual meals for my wife, and I can attest that the recipies I have tried are a success! I can also assure you that even if you aren't a gourmet cook, you can master these recipies.

Warning: These recipies are NOT for the diet-conscious, but for the connisseur of good, hearty food with no-holds-barred cholesterol level! These contributions by the hilarious Clarissa and the late Jennifer are tailored for consumers who enjoy food for its taste and enjoy fully what life- and dinner- has to offer.

If you are a fan of the show (and even if you are not), I highly recommend this book. Within its pages are thirty-four chapters, each focusing on a favorite "Fat Lady Staple", such as lobster, chocolate, and butter. The chapters also contain little anecdotes from the humorous Ladies, guaranteed to make you smile. Within each chapter are several sumptuous recipies to frighten the bathroom scale. As Clarissa, one of the Fat Ladies, notes in the introduction- "Anyone who has watched the program... will know that one of the things that binds us is an unswerving passion for good food- no compromises, no second best." And the recipes that follow certainly adhere to this credo.

Many delightful European recipies can be found, with common ingredients and the unusual for special occasions. If you want to impress with the best, try these! Some examples of the delights that can be found are the delicious Roast Chicken with Herbed Salt, Chili Crab, Pheasant with Mostardadi Cremona (pheasant with bacon, white wine, butter, etc.), Portuguese Fish Stew, Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream, and the easy Spaghetti with Sour Cream. I only wish the Ladies had included more than a few recipes for each chapter.

Please note that for some of these recipies, some unusual ingredients may be required. You will need to find a good source for some of the spices or meats, but when you taste the results, you will be glad for the trouble exerted. (My wife sure was!)

To be honest, I bought this book primarily for the Fat Ladies' trademark wit and humor. In this respect, I was not disappointed, as the brief narratives preceeding each chapter and most recipes make for truly entertaining reading. many of the actual recipes intimidated me at first, but when I decided to try one of them out, I was absolutely thrilled. The cod with lemon sauce (located in the book's "Lemon" section) is one of the best recipes I've ever gleaned from a cookbook...it was a tremendous success. If you're a fan of the show, or just a fan of good, honest food, give this book a try.

Earlier books in the series provided recipies from the TV show, the Two Fat Ladies, but unfortunately Jennifer Patterson's lung Cancer caused a premature end to the 4th season. So in place of a book about the series, they produced a book about their passions. Each chapter dedicated to some item one of them found fun and what could be done with it- lemons, herring roe, garlic, sweat breads, salt, peaches, eels etc The start of each chapter had a few paragraphs from the lady in question and what they found so wonderful about them.

As usual the recipies are surprisingly easy for any home cook to follow. Dispite looking insanely difficult in the pictures, the ease with which they work out is amazing.

I will admitt to being a little confused by some, what the flock is a 'lardoon?' and finding others can be difficult in the US but certainly if you are a fan of the Ladies or just good cook books, this is well worth the read.

I received this book in excellent condition. I was delighted to read the favorite recipes of two famous chefs. Mainly old-fashioned cooking but with wonderful stories behind each selected recipe.Quite politically incorrect food for today's standards but therein lies its charm

if you 're a fan of the 2 fat ladies, then id suggest picking up their books, because a lot of the recipies they had on the shows are located in one of their *several* cookbooks.... id suggest getting them all!!!!! i just did and they're worth every penny..... id suggest picking up the series on DVD as well.

Many of the same recipes are in "cooking with Two Fat Ladies". Interesting to read, but I don't think many Americans would actually prepare any of the recipes. I love the videos, the cookbooks don't have the same charm.

Some exotic ingredients: Bull penis for one, some questionable hygenic practices, can the Brits get away with them because their climate is cooler? and I've heard that the recipes don't always come out right because the Two Fat ladies didn't measure and the editor guesstimates, but don't know if that's true. I haven't tried any of the recipes and they are heavy on fish recipes but there are many that sound terrific and I'd like to try.