Editorial Review

Getting ready for your first turkey or dissatisfied with the dry results you got last year? Not to worry--"Mr. Thanksgiving," Rick Rodgers, is here to teach Read more

Reviews (23)

The Must-Have Book for the Holidays
I am not a newbie to cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas (around 15 years+), but this year's turkey was the best thanks to Rick.I have had this book for about 5 years, and it is the best resource for Thanksgiving and Christmas recipe ideas.This year I made the Chutney and Cranberry-Orange Relish that I used to buy, fairly pricey for a small amount.That will never happen again, now!He talks about the pitfalls of the great ideas that you hear of the different cooking methods for turkey and the problems with them.He kept me from making my turkey look like it had been in an accident (pg. 36).You will write in this book and stick your favorite holiday recipes in the pages like I did.Have fun with Rick!

Give Thanks to Rick Rodgers
This book is mistitled. It's not just an introduction to Thanksgiving preparation,it's a graduate course.
Excellent Book For The Beginner To Thanksgiving
I found this book in a Harry & Davids store last year.I loved the book and I read it from cover to cover! All the classic recipes are there and there's different menues to choose from.You can go from classic to elegant.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - General    4. Holiday cooking    5. Thanksgiving Day    6. Thanksgiving cookery    7. Cooking / Holiday    8. General cookery   

Reviews (2)

Great recipes -- beautiful illustrations -- delightful menus
Hope that this book is reprinted -- we've had it for years and use the recipes in it frequently.It's nice sometimes to be able to open a cookbook and get an entire menu with all the items complimentary.The lamband papaya skewers are perhaps the best -- ALWAYS a hit at parties!TheChristmas menu is also a good one.

Delicious recipes and tasteful art found on every page!
This is such a nice cookbook. I have had it for years and years. Just reading through it makes me want to embrace all the lovely things that life has to offer and to give back as much as I can. By the way, Crabtree &Evelyn owners, I am so glad that one of your stores has recently openednear me. Thank you for the enduring quality of your products! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Crabtree & Evelyn (Firm)    5. Holiday    6. Reference    7. General cookery   

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Holiday - General    6. Seasonal    7. Cooking / Holiday   

Reviews (1)

Another Golden Gooseberry
For those of you who are familiar with the Gooseberry Patch Co. series, you will not be disappointed with this great cookbook.For those of you who are not familiar with it, what are you waiting for?This series (as well as Holidays at Home specifically) has recipes that are so easy to use, it doesn't matter if you're Julia Child or a 20's male bachelor (heh heh), it's easy to make everything in here.And it's delicious!Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas decorations    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Holiday - General    6. Holiday cookery    7. Holiday decorations    8. Seasonal    9. Cookbooks    10. Cookery    11. Cooking / Holiday    12. Recipes   

Editorial Review

For every season there is a baked good--challah for Shabbat,matzoh for Passover, jelly donuts for Hannukah--and Joan Nathan'sRead more

Subjects:  1. Baking    2. Cookery, Jewish    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Holiday - General    6. Jews    7. Methods - Baking    8. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher    9. Social life and customs    10. United States    11. Cooking / Jewish & Kosher    12. General cookery   

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas decorations    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Ethics & Morals    6. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    7. Holiday - General    8. Seasonal    9. Cooking / General    10. Main courses   

Reviews (10)

What Do I Do?Buy This Book!!!
This Book it exactly what I have been looking for.A complete party how to book, from Bat Volleyball to Witch's Bubbling Brew. Halloween School Parties:What Do I Do?
A wonderful book and many ideas to use for Halloween Paries, not just at school. The craft ideas are so cute and adaptable for any age.We have used these ideas at church parties.The What, Why, and How of Room Parenting chapert is useful for any entertaining event.Suggestion:Purchase a complete set.

Caution! For classroom settings only!
I bought this book to get ideas for the large Halloween party we throw every year. This book is strictly sighted at school parties, including classroom crafts and games designed for a school setting. Since so many schools don't even allow "Halloween" to be mentioned (my kids have attended two schools that dictate "Harvest" themes) this book is of little use to me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Arts And Crafts    3. Children's parties    4. Cookery    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Crafts & Hobbies    7. Crafts for Children    8. Entertaining - Party Planning    9. Halloween    10. Hobbies/Crafts    11. Holiday - General    12. Seasonal    13. Etiquette & entertaining    14. Handicrafts   

Reviews (4)

It Lacks Pictures...
When I ordered this book, I was impressed by the title and the beautiful marzipan rose on the cover. I am very disappointed to find out that it lacks pictures. It has NO pictures at all. The font and the layout are very nice and the instructions are clear. Most of the recipes are set as menus and the ingredients are not hard to find. However, I do not enjoy reading the recipes nor feel like trying them because I do not know what they will look like. I have had the book for about a year and have not tried any of its recipes yet.

Valentine Day Treat
I loved it!I will be using this book to cook something special for my girlfriend for valentines day.

What a great book....
I love this book ! It is so wonderfully written and interesting.The authors are so creative in the way in which they have organized the book---Bravo and well done ! A must for Valentine's Day or any otherspecial day for someone you love. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. General    6. Holiday - General    7. Menus    8. Methods - Cookery for Two    9. Methods - Professional   

Editorial Review

Finally, you can put aside those yellowed newspaper clippings this holiday! Read more

Reviews (12)

In response to the comment below titled "totally not for orthodox cooks"
I am ultra-Orthodox (Chareidi) and I DO use matzo meal on Pesach.You are right that some will not, but the rest will.And as for vegetables that cannot be pealed, of course we use them!Even if we want to be extra makbid (strict), we can always use the Bodek kind (already checked for bugs).
An absolute necessity if you ever prepare a seder meal!
This cookbook is so wonderful, so essential, I can't recommend it heartily enough.Perhaps my greatest endorsement is this:I really use these recipes THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, not just at Passover! great book
This cookbook is fantastic.Try the carrot souffle on page 110.It is delicious and has a unique texture.It is somewhat like carrot cake.However, the recipe doesn't tell you to turn it out of the pan, which you should do.Some of the recipes are difficult to make if you live in a community, as I do, that doesn't have a kosher butcher.Also, I wish that there were more simple recipes.I am struggling to satisfy my children during Passover, and this cookbook doesn't help much with that.Still, it is a great resource to have on hand. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - General    4. Passover    5. Passover cookery    6. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher    7. Cooking / Jewish & Kosher    8. General cookery    9. Jewish studies   

Reviews (1)

Lilly for the HOLIDAYS at her finest!!!!!!
I purchased this for my mother for Christmas, she loves Lilly Pulitzer and her clothing. The illustrations are great, lots of cute quotes and interesting recipes, too. I purchased the Entertaining version last year. I hope she will release a new theme every year. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Entertaining - General    5. Fashion    6. General    7. Holiday - General    8. Home Economics (General)    9. House & Home    10. House & Home / General   

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Cookery, Irish    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Holiday - General    6. Regional & Ethnic - Irish   

Editorial Review

Derived from the pages of Read more

Reviews (18)

I was a good cook...but this made my dinners Excellent!
If you take any interest at all in cooking, you will LOVE reading this book! But the proof is in the pudding, of course, and time after time, the recipes I use from this book have been successful. For instance, my husband and adult son agreed that the macaroni and cheese I made from this collection was the absolute BEST I had ever made.You may think I was an average cook to begin with, but that isn't the case. The editors were right, evaporated milk was the key to a smooth cheese sauce.And who would have thought of using fettucini instead of egg noodles in the tuna casserole, but once I did it, I would never use anything but.
Interesting American Recipes for Brits- and Americans
I spent time in the States when younger, and some things that I ate were a little eclectic for British Tastes. However, when I saw this book reviewed in the British press, I knew it would have all the recipes I would need. I wasn't wrong! Not many pictures, but clear, concise instructions, and reading it has made my tummy rumble! Can't wait to try the stuffing recipes - so much different to British stuffing, and the Coca-cola glazed Ham. This will keep me busy for ages!

Loved it!
I bought this book for my brother and instead of wrapping it, I read it during the three hour trip to his house.He almost didn't get it!It has so many great ideas in it even for someone like me who has been cooking a long time.Buy this for the foodie in your life! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American cooking    2. Cookery, American    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Holiday - General    6. Regional & Ethnic - American - General    7. National & regional cuisine    8. USA   

Reviews (2)

not what I expected
Celebrate Spring is full of many delicious looking recipes.I was hopingfor cookbook that makes use of seasonal foods and produce, but this book ismore a list of spring themed party ideas (for St. Patrick's Day, Easter,various afternoon teas) each with a menu, suggestions for decorations,party favors, homemade gifts and crafts. While there are some recipes thatuse springtime produce like asparagus, peas, and rhubarb there are alsorecipes which call for fresh apricots, peaches, blueberries, raspberries,basil and other summer produce.Also, the suggestions about making spicegarlands, drying herbs and the use of dried lavender seemed oddly out ofplace in a book about springtime.It's a nice enough book, but it's notwhat I was looking for

Wonderful collection of recipes and other neat stuff
This book is the second best book in the series, just because I'm biased and like autumn better.The book had cute idea's for mother's day, special's for easter, a whole dinner for St. Pat's etc etc.Each chapteralso came with helpfull gooseberry hints at the end.Besides withGooseberry recipes who can go wrong? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Hobbies/Crafts    3. Holiday - General    4. Seasonal    5. Cookbooks    6. Cookery    7. Cooking    8. Crafts / Hobbies    9. Recipes    10. Spring   

Reviews (7)

Is Charles Holcomb actually Douglas Hensley (and Pattie Hensley's husband)?
A reviewer, "Charles Holcomb", has reviewed all the books written by Douglas Hensley and Pattie Hensley.He has also reviewed several competing books -- such as this one -- and used those reviews as an opportunity to mention the "superior quality" of the book written by Douglas Hensley or Pattie Hensley.The Hensley titles are as follows:
Four Stars
My wife says give this onefour stars

Uncommon recipes, not what I expected.
I assumed this book would contain recipes for classic dishes commonly found at restaurants.That is not the case.This book contains adaptations of unusual and imaginative dishes by world-class chefs.I was hoping for something simpler, closer to my level.More advanced gourmet cooks will appreciate this book more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - General    5. Holiday - General    6. Methods - Professional    7. Restaurants    8. United States    9. Cookery dishes & courses   

Reviews (1)

Reflections, Traditions and Recipes
Scandinavian Holiday Recipes, in the popular recipe-card file size Stocking Stuffer format, is chock-full of the best recipes and notes about Scandinavian food and culture. Compiled by Michelle Nagle Spencer, this cookbook contains recipes and reflections on the traditions, sites, and events associated with the holidays observed by Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish Americans. Included are wonderful recipes as well as information on Scandinavianculture. Featured sections include "Scandinavian Holidays," such as Lent, Easter and St. Urho's Day and "Sites Worth Seeing and Visiting." Information on Ethnic History and Scandinavian Festivals Across America are also included. Illustrations throughout the book and on the cover are by Diana Heusinkveld. The cover depicts a colorful border design which frames the calligraphic title.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Holiday    3. Cooking / Wine    4. General    5. Regional & Ethnic - Scandinavian    6. Cookbook    7. Cookery    8. Cookery, Scandinavian    9. Holiday    10. Recipes   

Reviews (3)

I found the book superb for Easter
For 57 cents you can't get better recipes for Easter.I highly recomend the egg-leek bake served with the snow pea endive salad with shallot dressing.Add carmelized bacon to this and you have a hit.

Nice seasonal entry to the Bon Appetit series
I am a huge fan of the Bon Appetit cookbook series--I think I own 8 of them. This is a nice entry for holiday celebrations--menus and recipes for a variety of holidays. I recently used this cookbook for some of its Christmas cookie recipes and was very pleased. The nice thing about these recipes are they are not too complicated and you will be very pleased with the result, even if you try them out on company the first time you use them. A Holiday Recipe for Every Flavor
This cookbook has a recipe for almost every holiday. It begins on New Years Day and continues with Valentines Day to Labor Day and Thanksgiving and ends with New Years Eve.I found it very helpful. It has a menu plan but there are courses that can be substituted. The recipes are easy to follow and so tasty. I keep this one near by. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Holiday - General    3. Holiday cookery    4. Menus    5. Cooking / Holiday   

Reviews (7)

On Giving Thanks
As someone who loves to cook and is fascinated by early american history, I was extremely pleased by the content of this book. It is not merely a cookbook but a history book as well. This book can be enjoyed by children and adults equally.

Giving Thanks. A book to have and a book to give!
Wonderful! Curtin and Oliver put together a unique collection of exquisite and easy to follow recipes. The history behind the national holiday is also explained with interesting details and complements nicely the culinary section. Whether the reader wants to learn more about the tradition or wants to impress friends and family at the dinner table, this is the book to read!
A MUST HAVE!!
A fantastic book to read!The recipes we tried were outstanding-easy to read directions & the history behind each dish was a treat to read.I am looking forward to using these recipes at our Thanksgiving this year. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 17th century    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. History    5. Holiday - General    6. Holidays (non religious)    7. Manners And Customs    8. Pilgrims (New Plymouth Colony)    9. Poultry Cookery    10. Regional & Ethnic - American - New England    11. Sociology    12. Thanksgiving Day    13. Wampanoag Indians    14. Cooking / American / New England   

Editorial Review

At a certain point you have to ask yourself, do you really need another couple of hundred recipes all carefully clustered around a food concept, or do you want a more manageable number of recipes that all work--guaranteed? Welcome to Read more

Reviews (10)

Buying more in the series
This is the one cookbook that has not gone on the shelf, but instead sits on the corner of the counter. So far I've made the beef burgundy, pan roasted chicken, smothered pork chops, lemon meringue pie, macaroni and cheese, nachos with salsa and guacamole, and more. I'd've done more in the past two weeks, but I do have a job to go to. These may not sound like extraordinary recipes - they're all in my Betty Crocker cookbook or Good Housekeeping cookbook - but this is the cookbook that tells you the how and why, what works and what doesn't work (based on their own testing, which is an interesting read in itself). One of the things I like most is that they make an honest effort and usually succeed at restricting themselves to ingredients found in nearly every supermarket. Serving sizes are extremely generous. I ate nachos for four days --- luckily, they were delicious. Quality Cooking Advice & Phenomenal Ribs!
As someone who consider's themselves an elite "home chef", I stopped using recipe books years ago and just built on the basics that I'd gleaned from reading what I considered the "essential" cookbooks.Then, one stormy Saturday afternoon when the husband was at work and the kids were away at Grandma's, I stumbled on America's Test Kitchen on PBS.Needless to say, I loved what I saw. Just As Good As the PBS Show!
I have been watching this series on PBS and the book is just a delightful.The receipes are pretty easy to follow, ingredients are available in most grocery or gourmet shops. Plus they have done all the testing and we get to prepare the perfect combinations! Highly recommend it,especially as a gift! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - General    4. Entertaining - General    5. General    6. Holiday - General   

Reviews (3)

A Christmas book with pumpkins
What I found really weird about this book was (besides having nothing really new or interesting in it) was that it was essentially a Christmas craft and gift book with a Halloween theme overlay.
The Ultimate Halloween book this is not!
Any book that bills itself the "Ultimate" had better be at least very good. This book doesn't fit the bill. A beautiful book, but the contents are reworked ideas most crafters have seen before. You'll get morebang for your buck buying a Halloween crafting magazine. Most projects aremuch too difficult for kids. Cute food ideas.

FANTASTIC!!
This is a GREAT Halloween book, perhaps one of the best! It has a little bit of everything, including some wonderful and original ideas for Halloween. ie- recipies for Halloween cookies, designs for Halloweenjackets, how to turn your small pumpkins into excellent looking cats andyour squashes into black and white ghosts. Also has tons of fantasticdecorations and many cute and original Halloween costumes for little kids.This is great, and totally worth it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Halloween decorations    4. Holiday - General    5. Seasonal    6. Sociology    7. Fiction / War   

Reviews (3)

Excellent compilation of recipes for the holidays!
When Bon Appetit and other prestigous publications give this one rave reviews, that's a hint that you might have a "find"...and they are right. From Sabbath to Passover, there are recipes that are delicious, generally very easy to prepare and clearly explained. Although designed for children, I think thisone would be excellent for anyone who wants to become an excellent Jewish cook. It is like having a crash course in both the essentials and some special variations.
An excellent resource I use again and again.
I couldn't disagree more with the first review.With two small children, I rely heavily on this book as Jewish holidays come and go and have enjoyed many cooking experiences with my kids as a result.Furthermore, the recipes are consistently delicious!My kids and I have prepared Yemenite High Holiday Stew and Bread for Yom Kippur, Apple-Honey cupcakes, Hamantaschen, Aunt Lisl's Butter Cookies, and the ice-cream cupcake menorah featured on the cover, as well as a tender and delicious challah. There are many suggestions throughout for ways children can take part in the cooking, and often the menu suggestions accompanying each holiday have given me ideas of foods my children will actually eat.As a cook and an authority on Jewish cooking, Joan Nathan is no slouch; her contributions to the New York Times cooking section are significant and her adult-oriented cookbook "The Jewish Holiday Kitchen" is an exhaustive resource of Jewish dishes that is equally wonderful.In fact, I was reluctant to try this book because I doubted she could switch gears and write a children's cookbook that was really useable, but I contend she has done it!I can't imagine my cookbook library without this book.

A remedial recipe book- very limited CRAFTY ideas
I would not even give this book one star.I was VERY disappointed with this book.I was expecting a CRAFTY kitchen book for childen based on the pictures on the front cover.This book primarily consists of traditional recipes for the holidays but gives instructions such as child mixes this.. adult stirs that.Example of receipes include: grape juice, hallah, chicken soup, matzah balls, pot roast, peeling a pamagranet, etc.There is nothing unique or special about these recipes.If you are buying it for your children- don't. and if you are buying it for the recipes- don't.There are many other better Jewish holiday cookbooks out there to choose from. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, Jewish    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - General    5. Holiday cookery    6. Jewish cooking    7. Juvenile literature    8. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher    9. Cooking / Jewish & Kosher    10. Food & drink / cookery: general interest    11. General cookery    12. Jewish studies    13. Judaism