The Cheese Lover's Cookbook and Guide: Over 150 Recipes with Instructions on How to Buy, Store, and Serve All Your Favorite Cheeses (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "CHEESE IS VERY NUTRITIOUS..." (more)
Key Phrases: sanitized bowl, sanitized spoon, enameled stockpot, United States, Mozzarella Company, Grand Marnier (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Twenty years ago, Paula Lambert was just your average Texas housewife. But when she became addicted to fresh mozzarella while traveling in Italy only to return home and find there was no fresh mozzarella in Texas, both an entrepreneur and a cheese factory were born. In The Cheese Lover's Cookbook, Lambert shares the vast knowledge she's garnered in two decades at the helm of the successful Mozzarella Company, which now boasts 35 types of cheese and twice as many awards.

Lambert's passion for cheese shines in enticing recipes that draw on her Southwestern, Italian, and Southern influences. The book flows effortlessly between such down-home favorites as Cowboy Cheese Dip (made with Velveeta!) and more adventurous treats such as Baked Gnocchi with Sage-Parmigiano Crust or Blue Cheese Quesadillas with Mango Salsa. Chapters cover brunch through dessert, including appetizers, salads, soups, pastas, vegetables, meats, and breads. For brunch, Ricotta Pancakes with Banana-Pecan Syrup--a moist, fluffy, invitingly rich concoction reminiscent of the famous New Orleans dessert Bananas Foster--fits the bill. Crustless Cheddar Quiche with Onion and Bacon Topping (more like a savory flan than a classic quiche) would be equally satisfying for brunch or lunch. Entrées range from the vegetarian Layered Vegetable Gratin Provencal bound by strongly flavored Gruyère, to tangy Poached Salmon with Feta Mayonnaise, to succulent Rack of Lamb with Goat Cheese Crust. An array of inviting desserts, from the intensely chocolatey Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies to the wonderfully refreshing Cinnamon-Ricotta Sorbet, rounds out the recipe section.

But this is much more than just a cookbook: it's an informative guide that details the history of cheese, provides nutritional information, and offers tips on how to buy, store, and serve cheese. For the truly ambitious, Lambert includes step-by-step instructions for making both fresh and aged cheese at home. A chapter on pairing wine with cheese takes the mystery out of finding just the right match, and indispensable charts expertly guide those interested in substituting or experimenting with more unusual cheeses. For any cheese lover, this practical and wonderfully entertaining guide is a truly comprehensive resource. --Robin Donovan

Review

Stephan Pyles chef, author, and host of the national PBS series New Tastes from Texas While most people recognize Paula Lambert as one of the most gifted cheesemakers in America, not everyone realizes just what an accomplished cook she is. The Cheese Lover's Cookbook and Guide not only showcases her dedication to the craft of making cheese, but also shares her enthusiasm and passion for life, food, and wine. After reading all the delicious recipes in this book, I have come to two conclusions: (1) I want my last meal on earth to include cheese, and (2) I want Paula Lambert to prepare that meal. -- Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (November 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684863189
• ISBN-13: 978-0684863184
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #268,814 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheese Intrigue!, November 27, 2000

By	Rebecca Johnson "SeasonedwithLove.com" (Washington State) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

The flavor of cheese can be buttery, rich, pungent, sharp, salty or delicate. Cheese is made from nutritious milk. The type of milk adds subtleties to each cheese and makes it unique. I enjoy Mozzarella made from buffalo milk. While I am hardly a Turophile (A connoisseur of cheese), I may soon become one after reading this book. "Tyro" is Greek for Cheese and "-phile" means "lover of."

If you are a border-line Turophile or are just curious about cheese, I recommend this book very highly. This is so much more than a cookbook. It is a love affair with cheese! There is a concise overview of cheesemaking, a collection of over 150 eclectic cheese-based recipes and a comprehensive list of sources for your favorite cheeses.

After working in a specialty store, I decided to try a different cheese as often as I could. I learned to love smoked Gouda, creamy Havarti with dill, Pecorino Romano from sheep's milk, blue-veined Roquefort in salad dressing, Provolone in an Italian salad, Ricotta in lasagna, and lately Mascarpone in Tiramisu. In "The Cheese Lover's Cookbook and Guide," Paula Lambert provides many unique recipes using Mascarpone, but how is Marscarpone made? Believe it or not, there is a recipe on page 73.

Does your mind crave explanations for how cheese is made? Do you wonder about how cheese was invented? Will Paula tell you? Yes, and she will also lead you through your own discovery of cheese making

Finally, you will know the secrets of Crème Fraîche and discover how easy it is to make homemade cottage cheese. Yes, Paula Lambert is ambitious and creative. She has the heart of an artist, the soul of a chef and the spirit of a cheese artisan. "The Cheese Lover's Cookbook and Guide" is truly filled with a passion for cooking with cheese.

Paula Lambert also loves to travel. After spending five years in Perugia, she learned to love fresh mozzarella. Her search to learn how to make fresh mozzarella resulted in the founding of "The Mozzarella Company," a cheese factory in Dallas, Texas. With the guidance of a cheese professor, Paula immersed herself in the cheesemaking process and went on to produce thirty-five different types of cheese. These cheeses are now distributed to restaurants, gourmet stores and directly to individuals throughout the United States.

Paula Lambert has become a renowned cheese maker. Her cheeses have earned over seventy awards for superior cheese flavor and consistency. In order to perfect traditional cheesemaking techniques, Paula traveled to many countries. Her enthusiasm shows how fascinating the art of cheesemaking can be.

I loved her section on Cheese Classification. She divides cheese into over 15 categories and illustrates them with common and exotic cheese varieties. Did you know that Mozzarella is classified as a Pasta Filata Cheese? I didn't either.

Paula also includes a nutritional breakdown for many cheeses, a cheese-buying guide, a list for substituting cheese by type, a list for selecting cheese by flavor and finally a list for selecting cheeses by country of origin. She includes a helpful section on mail order cheese sources, complete with Web site information, which is very thoughtful.

There are also many international cheeses you will want to try. No longer will the cheese section be a daunting place. You will go to the store with a new confidence and walk right past Velveeta Ville. You may find yourself asking for Boursin from France (a cheese flavored with herbs and garlic), Cambozola or maybe even Liederkranz. You will know the difference between a ripened aged cheese and an unripened fresh cheese. You will know how to select the freshest cheese and how to store them. When they are just little piece of leftover cheese, they can start a new life as a wonderful "fromage fort." (Cheese with garlic, cream, herbs and pepper.)

Most cooks agree: If you find one memorable recipe in a new cookbook, it is worth the price. In this cookbook, you will find so many recipes you will love! The picture of the Ricotta Pancakes with Banana-Pecan Syrup may just inspire you enough to make it the first recipe you want to try. I made them and they are delicate and almost cake-like. The heavenly sauce is a combination of pecans and bananas sautéed in butter with maple syrup. I used real maple syrup.

Most of the recipes are influenced by a prominent culture or are influenced by "fusion" cooking. The "Cheddar Cheese Grits with Roasted Garlic" is definitely Southern." The "Risotto with Asparagus and Parmigiano" reminds me of Italy. The "Ultimate Cheese Omelet" is very French. Since Paula lives in Texas, she also has a flair for using local ingredients. "Southwestern Chile-Cheese Corn Bread" is an example. Paula's recipes have a touch of sophistication and are easy-to-make gourmet treats.

Each recipe is presented on its own page, or two. You hardly ever have to turn a page to complete a recipe. The headings are bold, the headnotes are interesting, and the instructions start with a few words in a gold text, which is quite pretty. Paula's writing style is easy-to-read and her precise instructions are very helpful. The hints on decorating are wonderfully unique. I loved the dragonflies made from bell peppers on the "Savory Herbed Cheesecake." These are the types of recipes you will want to add to your kitchen repertoire. The 16 full-color photo illustrations will inspire you to go shopping for cheese.

Some of the recipes are modernized classics. "Bacon, Egg and Cheddar Scones," "Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust" and "Grilled Shrimp and Smoked Mozzarella Pizza" are good examples. Many are perfect for entertaining. "Baked Brie with Mushrooms, Walnuts, and Dried Cranberries," will be spectacular. There are soups for winter and salads for summer. I just made the Bed & Breakfast style "Bacon, Egg and Cheddar Scones." They will have you saying: "More Cheese Please!" This is truly a dreamy cookbook for all cheese lovers. Thank you Paula, you are an inspiration to us all!

~The Rebecca Review

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IF YOU LOVE CHEESE, YOU MUST GET THIS BOOK..., July 6, 2001

By	Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

I love cheese. A world without cheese is almost unimaginable. I have never met a cheese I didn't like. It is one of the most delicious and flavorful foods on Earth, as well as one of the most versatile.

You can have cheese as an appetizer, a soup, a salad, a main course, or even as a dessert. If you should have any doubt about my somewhat sweeping declaration, you need only open this book. It contains over a hundred and fifty eclectic, mouth watering, delicious recipes, where cheese is a prime ingredient.

I came upon this book at a school auction, coupled with a lovely cheese board. I placed a silent bid on the set, and to my surprise, I was the successful bidder. I took the items home, and being a bookaholic, began perusing this book.

To my surprise, I discovered it to be much more than a cookbook, as it gives the reader precise instructions on how to buy, store, and serve just about every conceivable variety of cheese. All this information is imparted in a conversational tone, making for easy reading.

The author tells the reader how her love of cheese motivated her to start her own cheese factory, the very successful "Mozzarella Company". She also starts the reader from scratch, telling one what cheese actually is. She also gives the reader a fascinating overview on the history of cheese, as well as a chapter on cheese and nutrition.

The author goes to great lengths to describe the various types of cheese, categorizing it by texture, flavor, and country of origin. She gives tips on buying and serving cheese, as well as tips on what to do with leftover cheese. She also gives suggestions on what wine to pair with certain cheeses. For those who are ambitious and so inclined, the author even has a chapter on making your own cheese at home.

While these extras are all well and good, the recipes alone are worth investing in the book. My own personal favorites are the "Bruschetta Topped with Goat Cheese and Tomatoes", "Green Salad with Apples and Goat Cheese", "Crustless Cheddar Quiche with Onion and Bacon Topping", "Uptown Get-Down Macaroni and Cheese", "Bell Peppers Stuffed with Rice, Ricotta, and Jarlsberg", and "Carrot-Ricotta Pudding".

Of course, the recipes I like are all fairly basic and easy to put together. There are also many, more ambitious and delicious sounding recipes for those with an affinity for cooking. They reflect a variety of diverse influences. Contemporary in feel, ranging from the gastronomically creative to the traditrional, they are international in scope. There is simply something for everyone. It is not just for cheese lovers only.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and Informative addition to your cookbooks!, July 7, 2006

By	Pamela "pgmaxtwo" (Longmont, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This book isn't just technical info about cheese, it's mostly a cookbook with really great cheese information. It's perfect for a beginner delving into the world of cheese (outside that of processed and plastic wrapped slices). The recipes are simply laid out, easy to make and the pictures are fabulous! This is a keeper and would make a great gift for anyone who enjoys cooking.