Cooking Bouquet: Feeling At Home in the Kitchen (Hardcover)

~ Arlene Stolley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An inviting basic cookbook with clear advice and simple, seasonal recipes. [P]erfect for any novice." -- Kirkus Reports, June 28, 2006

"Stolley's appealing menus and irresistible recipes lure us to the kitchen. Her friendly, confident voice...make us feel at home." -- Pam Anderson, Food Columnist for USA Weekend

Product Description

An inviting basic cookbook with clear advice and simple, seasonal recipes.

For many, the kitchen can be an intimidating place. Stolley not only instills in readers the tips and information they need to be a competent home cook and entertainer, but she also presents it in a remarkably warm and accessible way. She begins from the beginning, demonstrating how to pick out kitchen equipment and tableware, and how to shop efficiently, handle food safely and stock a pantry. Her mouthwatering recipes are organized into seasonal menus, which makes planning and preparation easy, and her step-by-step directions are clear enough for anyone to tackle. From a festive brunch including "Vegetable and Bacon Frittata," "Scrambled Egg Muffins" and "Peach Smoothies," to a traditional Thanksgiving feast of "Spice-Brined Roast Turkey Breast," "Home-style Corn Bread Dressing with Fruit and Pecans" and "Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Syrup and Pecan Strussel," her menus provide an immediate repertoire to get you through that first year in the kitchen—and set you up for many more to follow.

A homey and gentle introduction to cooking, perfect for any novice. —Kirkus Reports, Cooking & Entertaining, June 28, 2006

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 329 pages
• Publisher: Brown Books (June 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933285281
• ISBN-13: 978-1933285283
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #614,506 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Setting up your 1st time kitchen successfully, July 28, 2006

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (7/06)
If you are thinking about setting up your kitchen for the very first time, I highly recommend picking up a copy of "Cooking Bouquet". All aspects of equipping a kitchen properly are included here. This book would make an excellent gift for a bride-to-be or for a newlywed couple's wedding gift.

"Cooking Bouquet" is set up so that the reader may start at the beginning and read straight through, unlike most cookbooks where one searches for a particular recipe in a specific category. "Cooking Bouquet" has a chapter for each month of the year with recipes appropriate for events occurring in that month. For example, January's feature recipes focus on soup and dishes that go well with soup while June offers recipes and ideas for the perfect grill out. Each section offers wines recommended to be served with the recipes given, and tips are shared to help make the monthly get-together a success. Also included at the end of each chapter is a section entitled Parties with Panache, which gives ideas the host may employ to make the dinner party or get-together just a bit more special and unique with ideas for decorating, special effects, music and special foods to try.

I really cannot say enough good things about this excellent resource. So much good information about cooking and everything in a kitchen is included here. Setting up your dry pantry and storing smartly, to how to properly stock a refrigerator and freezer are included here. Common equivalents, a glossary of common terms, and seasoning and spice substitutions are also helpfully encompassed.

I believe the included recipes are just what a new cook might find most helpful; good basic dishes using common ingredients that are not too difficult to locate or prepare and yet are filling and tasty. All the recipes are ones I personally will use, and I picked up some ideas with all the helpful tips. Under May's Picnic Parade, a good basic Chocolate Cake and Cherry Crisp, plus the always popular Chocolate Brownies are sure pleasers. Homemade Lemonade and tasty variations with flavors such as peach, raspberry and pineapple will provide a mouthwatering accompaniment.

The book's design is attractive in pastel colors and picture drawings in neutral tones. A ribbon bookmark will allow the reader to readily find a favorite page. The book does have a nice binding and spine which makes for a good-looking book, but experienced cooks know that this sometimes makes it difficult to keep your page opened to the appropriate spot. The matching book jacket will help keep the book protected from spills. However, Cooking Bouquet is very aesthetically pleasing with its tastefully done drawings.

This book will make an excellent gift for anyone who will be getting familiar with a kitchen. I would definitely pick up two copies though, for you will want to keep a copy for yourself!

4.0 out of 5 stars A great gift!, June 13, 2006

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Cooking Bouquet by Arlene Stolley is more than a cookbook. It is an extraordinary reference manual. It's a perfect gift for students or newlyweds setting up housekeeping for the first time, as well as the cook who needs some confidence in the kitchen.

Stolley explains the basics for setting up a well-organized kitchen, including necessary items such as pots, pans, and utensils. There is practical advice for the savvy shopper, proper food handling, setting up a pantry, shelf life for food, how to stock a refrigerator and freezer, common equivalents, and glossary of food terms. My favorite: the top five of everything you need to stock your kitchen for fast-and-easy food preparation.

The menu section is broken up by month and includes ideas for tabletop centerpieces, the proper setting of a buffet table, picnic pointers, grilling tips, and so much more.

Stolley offers fun and delectable menus with instructions for all twelve months of the year. For the novice, it is perfect for making a meal from start to finish without the fuss and muss of figuring out what and how to accomplish the perfect meal.

I highly recommend this great cooking manual.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a wonderful gift for that special person in your life that is setting up housekeeping. While it does contain complete menus, it is limited in actual recipes.