Emeril's TV Dinners: Kickin' It Up a Notch with Recipes from Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Contrary to what the title may suggest, this is not a cookbook for the meals that come packaged in those nifty foil trays for your convenience. Emeril's TV Dinners is another stellar cookbook from master chef and television star Emeril Lagasse. This is the man who succeeded legendary chef Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans and then took the rest of the food world by storm. His rise has included a few award-winning cookbooks, including Emeril's New New Orleans Cooking, Louisiana Real and Rustic, and Emeril's Creole Christmas. At the same time as Lagasse was turning out terrific food at his restaurants and recipes in his cookbooks, he was hosting the widely acclaimed Emeril Live and The Essence of Emeril on the TV Food Network. And that is what Emeril's TV Dinners is all about--150 of Emeril's favorite recipes from his award-winning shows. But this cookbook isn't simply a revisit to some old television shows; this is vintage Emeril--great recipes from one of America's best chefs. Like all of his books and shows, the most refreshing thing about Emeril's TV Dinners is the approach. As he is fond of saying, we aren't building any rocket ships, we're cooking--plain and simple, and he's an expert at making great food easy and fun. His enthusiasm is infectious. You can almost taste Pecan Crusted Mozzarella with Baby Greens, Rock Shrimp Stuffed Flounder, or Emeril's Potato Truffle Charlotte. If you didn't see the shows, Emeril's TV Dinners offers another chance to find out why Emeril is still one of the best chefs in America today. --Mark O. Howerton

From Library Journal

Lagasse's cooking series on the TV Food Network have become incredibly popular, making him one of the best-known chefs today. Enthusiastic (not to say over the top), talented, and full of energy, Lagasse recently opened his third restaurant in New Orleans; he has another restaurant in Las Vegas, and he's written several other cookbooks, including Emeril's Creole Christmas (LJ 11/15/97). His latest book includes favorite recipes from the series Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril, gathered in chapters such as "Pork Fat Rules," "Singin' Sweets," and "Emerilized Starters." Sure to be in demand, this is recommended for all cookbook collections.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks; 1 edition (September 29, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688163785
• ISBN-13: 978-0688163785
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #615,887 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bam! This book is good!, August 11, 1999

By A Customer

I have just recently become a fan of Emeril's. I was not working for a few months and accidently surfed to the Food Network. Eventually, I saw Emeril Live. His show made me so hungry and made my mouth drool! I purchased two of his books: Emeril's TV Dinners and Louisiana Real & Rustic. I love them both. A few of the reviews I read criticize his use of heavy cream, butter, etc. But most people realize you have to use recipes like those in moderation. Most people don't eat like that every day. I like light cuisine, but I also like REAL GOOD food, too.

I have enjoyed cooking since I was 12, and I find it impressive that Emeril will give up his secrets. I have tried many of his recipes in both books, and none have disappointed me. Everything has come out delicious and very tasty.

As far as the so-called "commercialism" of the book, I believe this was done for the people who genuinely are fans of Emeril. I got a kick out of seeing the pictures that are behind the scenes. I can see why people who wouldn't know too much about him would think it was "too much".

Cooking is my hobby, as well as collecting cookbooks. I have a whole double bookcase of cookbooks, and I am proud to have Emeril's TV Dinners in it. I plan on collecting all his books.

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good cookbook - captures the "Essence" of Emeril, November 18, 1999

By	A. Wildcat (Kansas City, Missouri) - See all my reviews

I've had this book for nearly a year now, and am not disappointed in
the least. I've made several of the dishes in this book, as well as
dishes from his show...and all have turned
out to be delicious. Try the Delmonico Chicken or Shrimp Creole. The
dishes take time and preparation, and some take practice and will be
better the second time you make it, but they are excellent. One
downside is that, for me in the Midwest, a lot of the fish/shellfish
ingredients aren't readily available.

I wholeheartedly recommend
this book for the cooks out there who are adventurous and willing to
experiment. You will enjoy it. Those who are more at home with
macaroni and cheese from a box, stay away.

71 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A disappointment, November 29, 1999

By	"retiredchef" (the South) - See all my reviews

I have followed Emeril for quite awhile now. A couple of years ago I bought Real and Rustic to try out his recipes, becuse they all looked so good. There were some accuracy problems with the quantities, but by and large the recipes turned out okay. I bought this book thinking it would provide newer recipes. Instead, a lot of them are just updated reprints of recipes that he has been using for years. The book also is like a coffe table book, because it is mainly pictures of him on his set. Save your money. If you want to see Emeril, turn on the TV. If you want the recipes, by one of his older books.