Reviews (5)

You've got to read this book!
I received this book as a gift. There are quite a few books on this subject on the market and this one is the best. I too could not put it down and finished it in 3 days. It's a huge book, a great resource that is well researched and written.. I have a few friends who've purchased this book and really loved it too. I can highly recommend this book
Great for everyday cooking
Grogan's book interested me when I realized that my roasted vegetable dishes and other items were adding too much fat in my diet.I have since tried a few recipes and absolutely loved them!They are creative; they work; and they are healthy.I don't necessarily like the inclusion of textured vegetable protein, but I can use tempeh and other items instead.

A vegan celebration of the cuisines of the world
This is Bryanna Clark Grogan's second cookbook, and just like the first one, this is also almost-no-fat vegan takes on holiday recipes from all over the world! Whereas the former reviewer has a point that you should be able to indulge in your holidays if only you just eat healthy the rest of the days, I must say that I do not find the recipes skimpy. Try out the different versions of Bryanna's creme-filled cake roll, and tell me if you think that's skimpy! The book provides tasty, elegant menus for St. Valentine's Day; Independence Day; Chinese New Year; Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist holiday foods; Christmas menus; a Greek New Year's Eve; and more! Bryanna's barbecued seitan "ribs" with smoky barbecue sauce are incredibly yummy - her Vegetarian Irish stew with Guiness Stout served with Colcannon (mashed potatoes with kale) from her St. Patrick's Day menu are much tastier than the humble ingredients may suggest. Bryanna's Lasagne From The Garden is also a guaranteed hit, just as the holiday baking chapter. All in all, this is a very innovative cookbook which really proves that you don't have to feel you're restricted just because you've embarked on a vegetarian / vegan diet. If you've just recently discovered Bryanna's cooking, be sure you're in for a treat - do not hesitate to get her other books! You won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Health & Healing - Low Fat    4. Holiday - General    5. Holiday cookery    6. Low-fat cookery    7. Menus    8. Recipes    9. Vegetarian - General    10. Vegetarian cookery    11. Health & wholefood cookery   

Reviews (2)

Another Great Book wtih all the Holiday Trimmings!
Farmhouse Christmas is another great Gooseberry Patch Book filled with charming memories and excellent recipes sure to warm your heart and feed your tummy! Great Ideas to Make a Christmas You'll Remember
This book is wonderful....reading it is like talking to a good friend about holiday traditions.There are ideas for homemade gifts such as pancake mix, cookies in a jar, ornaments, and keepsakes.The recipes sounddelicious and include items like an edible cookie bowl, Granny's Pot Roast,Caramel Apple Crisp, and Snickerdoodles.Build a fire, grab some hotcocoa, make some homemade gifts, and cook up some warm food for yourfamily....this one is a hit! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas decorations    3. Cookery, American    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Seasonal    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    10. Holiday - General    11. Seasonal    12. Cookbooks    13. Cookery    14. Cooking / Holiday    15. Crafts / Hobbies    16. Recipes   

Reviews (3)

Best Christmas Book Ever!!
I have several of the Gooseberry Patch cookbooks but I have to admit that this is one of my favorites!Mainly because I like reading about the traditions and I will read it all throughout the year.One of the best hints is to help defray the cost of a Christmas tree during the holiday season, we decorate an old coffee container and tape it around the top and throw in all of our loose change all year round and believe me by December you will have enough money to buy a very nice tree and it doesn't seem to hurt the pocket book so much.

Creative food presented in a graphic style I love ---Buy it!
Every one of this series is read and enjoyed both for the tasty, homemade, loving recipes but equally for the hand drawn country illustraions. the spiral binding is handy in the kitchen and the cover makes it a cuteaddition to a shelf or table set up for the holidays.. No I don't work forthe company I'm just a long time fan! Great for gifts, too. They are WELLreceived !

A one of a kind book
This book was definitely not a waste of money.It gives ideas for family traditions, homemade gifts, and lots of good recipes.This Gooseberry book would make a good holiday gift for any family member or friend who enjoyshomemade items or craft activities. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas cookery    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    7. Holiday - General    8. Seasonal    9. Cooking / Holiday   

Reviews (3)

Alice is a pioneer in American fine chocolate!
Fifty stellar chocolate desserts, each a jewel of elegance and simplicity, designed to celebrate every holiday and special occasion.Medrich has created memorable desserts that will make the traditions of your celebrations all the more unforgettable--one mouthful at a time.
Great book, glad it's affordable and in print!
I love all of Alice's books, but I didn't pick up A YEAR IN CHOCOLATE while it was in hardcover.Now, instead of paying for a second-hand book, I was able to get CHOCOLATE HOLIDAYS, which is truly gorgeous.And, for a chocolate lover, how great to have such fun ideas for each holiday!
Quite honestly, it deserves 1 star
If you love Alice (as I do) you'll have probably have a hard forgiving her for this one. Although the title is "Chocolate Holidays : Unforgettable Desserts for Every Season" this book (as mentioned in the Editorial Reviews above) is actually "A Year in Chocolate : Four Seasons of Unforgettable Desserts" in papberback form (the printing info states, "This book first appeared in hardcover as A Year in Chocolate : Four Seasons of Unforgettable Desserts"). If Alice was going to bless her fans with a reprint surely "Cocolat" would be the steller choice (esp. since it's been going for $100+ for very good copies on auction sites and third party reselling) but instead we're given a retitled book that (see reviews) isn't her signature work.
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Subjects:  1. Chocolate desserts    2. Cookery (Chocolate)    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Chocolate    6. Holiday - General    7. Holiday cookery    8. COOKING / Holiday    9. Cookery by ingredient    10. Cooking / Chocolate    11. Desserts   

Reviews (4)

Recipes don't work
I notice that none of the reviews actually mentions having cooked any of the dishes.I agree - the book is gorgeous - but the recipes are not.I tried three of them - all failed - and I am a good amateur cook.I donated the book to the thrift shop.

Get a calendar!!
I am a cookbook collector, and I specialize in Jewish/Kosher cookbooks (I have over 60 in that category alone) and I must admit this is a beautiful cookbook, really more a coffee table book than anything else. There are gorgeous photos of ancient Judaica and interesting bits of history on almost every page and many of the recipes are tempting. BUT... although the book is organized by season, beginning with Autumn and the Jewish New Year, the holidays are listed in the wrong order! Chanuka is listed as the Winter holiday and then we immediately jump to Spring and Passover, followed by Purim which is also included in the spring section.Hello?!How hard is it to go to your local Kosher butcher and get a Jewish calendar? Or look on the internet?Presumably there was at least one Jewish person on the editorial staff who would have known whom to ask. Purim falls in Adar which coincides with February and/or March - clearly still winter in the Northern Hemisphere.Purim is followed by Passover which is THE spring holiday followed seven weeks later by Shavuout (which translates as Weeks in Hebrew, because of those sevens weeks).
Hadassah Jewish Holiday Cookbook-Edited by Joan Michel
This is an excellent book for the preparation of fineRead more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - General    4. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher   

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Holiday - General    3. Regional & Ethnic - American - Middle Atlantic States   

Reviews (3)

cook book review
I have owned this Holiday cookbook for at least 10 years
Food for lady who has no time to cook
I bought this book on sale due to the food pictures in thebook.A person who love cooking usually can tell if the author isgood by looking at the pictures of the final product.What attracted me to get this book was her recipe for pick up drumsticks.That is the most simple recipe I had seen for baking up drumpsticks that looked like they were fried.Other ideas in the book are also great and time saving.Our church always having special holiday dinner or special dinner gets together for rivival meeting nights, etc.It is so hard to finds people who are willing to cook for such large audience.This is a life saver for ladies who are in charge of the food for those special occasion, even for a Chinese church.I had already shared some of the recipes with friends at church and they just can't wait to try them out (This also include busy guys who help their wives out with cooking).I highly recommend you to get a copy of this book.END

Terrific recipes for holiday and party entertaining.
I immediately went out and purchased this book after attending a party in which the hostess presented a beautiful and tasty appetizer buffet using eight different recipes from Season's Greetings. The recipes are all eye appealing, delicious and in most cases easy to make. Recipes also include make-ahead tips. I highly recommend it for the beginner as well as the seasoned hostess. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Entertaining    3. Holiday - General    4. Holiday cookery    5. Christmas books    6. Cooking / General    7. General cookery   

Reviews (1)

An excellent and beautiful addition to your cookbook shelf
This book is so useful.Every recipie lists the fiber, calories, and fat content.The pictures are beautiful and the recipies I've made have all been delicious.Creative use of herbs and seasoning and alternateingredients take the place of fat.The roast turkey with a variety ofstuffings is great.I don't cook turkey any other way now. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining    4. Entertaining - General    5. Health & Healing - Low Fat    6. Holiday - General    7. Holiday cookery    8. Low-fat diet    9. Recipes    10. Cooking / General    11. Health & wholefood cookery   

Reviews (24)

Kitchen Witch's Cookbook
My wife love it, everything on the book is full of new knowledge to her.

Food good, magic not so good.
Geez, what a mess. Intriguing and delicious recipes...
...both modern and historic, and from nearly every region in the world. The various recipes included in the book are, with a few exceptions, rare and creative. So far, most of the recipes I've tried have been great successes, with the rest becoming very palatable with the addition of simple ingredients like salt, pepper and/or lemon juice. The best part was that most recipes were easy to follow, though heavy on spices both rare and common, even for a beginner like myself. I recommend the Rosemary Sorbet, the simple apple pie and "Marian's Stuffed Salmon."Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cookery, International    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Folklore    6. Folklore & Mythology    7. Food    8. Holiday - General    9. Magic    10. Magick Studies    11. Witchcraft & Wicca    12. Cooking / Holiday    13. General cookery    14. Magic & alchemy    15. Mind, Body, Spirit    16. Wicca   

Reviews (2)

The cookbook that helps you plan
There have been so many times when I've had recipes that I've had to double or triple and here Gil has done it for us. Takes the guesswork out of cooking for large gatherings!
Gil Marks has done a fine job in presenting a variety of menus for all occassions.The recipes are calculated for generous party size servings, making it easy to plan events and shopping lists. The recipes are clear, straight forward and tasty, the book layout very user friendly. This book might also be a good resource for caterers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, Jewish    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Entertaining - General    6. Fasts and feasts    7. Holiday - General    8. Holiday cookery    9. Judaism    10. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher    11. Cooking / Jewish & Kosher    12. General cookery    13. National & regional cuisine   

Reviews (4)

Best of a very spiritual breed of cookbook. Buy It.
`The New Jewish Holiday Cookbook' by Gloria Kauler Greene and `The Essential Book of Jewish Festival Cooking' by Phyllis Glazer and Miryam Glazer are two leading representatives of a great cookbook subgenre which may be unique among all cookbook flavors in that they represent that extraordinary relation between Judaism and food. Like the exceptional `Jewish Holiday Cookbook' by Joan Nathan and unlike the encyclopedic `New York Times Cookbook of Jewish Recipes', both books spend much space and words on the practice of kashrut or keeping kosher. But this is not the whole story. There are numerous Jewish culinary traditions which are not directly related to kashrut, such as the traditions surrounding the number of challah loaves baked for the Shabbat or the number of bumps on the challah loaves (The magic number here is 12, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, so the tradition is to have 12 loaves. More practical is the tradition to have two loaves each with 6 bumps created by the braiding of the bread before baking.)
THE DEFINITIVE JEWISH COOKBOOK!
Onc couldn't rave too much about this holiday cookbook.The recipes are delicious, not difficult to make, and a wonderful plus is the inclusion of the history and practices of Jewish customs.These are authenic Jewish recipes from around the world. Great for Jews and Non-Jews alike
I know from my name you wouldn't know that I was Jewish, but that is because my husband is not. I had to tell, that my mother-in-law picked up your book and started skimming while we were Kitchen Kibbutzin' and decidedit helped her understand the holidays and customs better than anythingelse. She HAD to have a copy, so we got her one as (of all things)aChristmas gift! She absolutely loves it. She says that it is so easy toread and the recipees are easy to follow! She can't wait to treat me andthe gang to some of the goodies she discovered from your book. She saidthat it isn't just a cookbook. It is her special reference book that helpsus celebrate and rejoice in the Jewish customs/traditions together. Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, Jewish    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Fasts and feasts    5. Holiday - General    6. Jewish cooking    7. Jewish holidays    8. Judaism    9. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher    10. Cooking / Jewish & Kosher    11. General cookery    12. National & regional cuisine   

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. General    3. Halloween    4. Holiday - General    5. Holidays (non religious)    6. Humor    7. Gift books for children    8. Interactive & activity books & packs    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Holidays & Festivals / Halloween    10. Parties & fancy dress   

Editorial Review

The Best Recipe series from Read more

Reviews (11)

Excellent Italian reference for American cooks
A passionate home cook that has been honing her cooking skills for the last 25 years, concentrating on Italian cooking for the last 10 years, writes this review.My favorite cookbooks are "The Professional Chef" by the Culinary Institute and "Culinary Artistry".With more than 500 cookbooks in my collection I am usually disappointed in my recent cookbook acquisitions.I am also very tough on Italian cookbooks in particular.
My favorite cuisine-specific book
Cooks Illustrated did an excellent job with this book.It is an invaluable reference to me because my knowledge of Italian fare is limited.True to form, CI takes the guesswork out of making the recipes and provides valid reasons why not to stray.If you are unfamiliar with CI methodology, each recipe comes with a background information regarding the failed tests that lead to the creation of the recipe. If you are not interested in this type of background, the recipes are still great so just skip the added info.
Better than average reference for Italian dishes.
'Italian Classics' is a 'Cooks Illustrated' treatment of well known Italian recipes. I have reviewed a number of similar 'Cooks Illustrated' books and a fabulous number of Italian cookbooks, and I believe that this volume is both better than the average 'Cooks Illustrated' volume AND better than the average Italian cookbook.
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - General    4. Holiday - General    5. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    6. Italy    7. National & regional cuisine   

Reviews (1)

Homespun Christmas
Homespun Christmas depicts quaint country charm and artistry of every nook and cranny of each page.This book is a keeper of joy and softness, of innocent times long past, but not forgotten. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas cookery    3. Christmas decorations    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Holiday - Christmas/Hanukkah    7. Holiday - General    8. Seasonal    9. Cookbooks    10. Cookery    11. Cooking / Holiday    12. Crafts / Hobbies    13. Recipes   

Reviews (13)

Great book!
I have tried a handful of recipes so far and haven't had any problems with them.My absolute favorite is the Banana Muffins (I've made it at least 10 times!)....people rave about them and I have to constantly give out the recipe.I've tried lots of banana muffin recipes, but it is by far THE best and the only ingredient I don't usually have is buttermilk, but I am finding it should be a staple for cooking!I tried the Cranberry Cornmeal Cookies yesterday and they were great.I love that they made the recipe makeable with only a bowl, whisk, and wooden spoon.No mixer required.I look forward to making many more of the desserts in the book and also more of the entrees that make my mouth water.A really good book for a cook like me who isn't a novice, but doesn't know many of the reasons why we use certain cooking techniques.
Great Cookbook, (but not quick or easy)
This is another cookbook compiled by the editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine.Like the magazine and previously published cookbooks, this is a wonderful cooking reference book with detailed explanations for what, how, and why regarding food and its preparation.The editors' and chefs' primary purpose is to create recipes that yield the most perfect culinary masterpiece, and then accurately explain to the kitchen cook how to recreate said culinary art.Everything--time, convenience, ease, efficiency, and health or reasonable caloric content is sacrificed for the sake of flavor--even in this cookbook titled The Quick Recipe.
Love the detailed instructions and comments on the side.
No, it's not really a 30 minute cooking book but it is a very instructive book.Even for those who have been in the kitchen for a while, you could learn some really good tips.It logically explains why you may try things differently.Peeling, cutting, dicing vegetables, etc.Very elementary stuff.However, I wish it was in color though.It would make the books really huge but I think it would be worth it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Holiday - General    4. Methods - Quick & Easy    5. Quick and easy cookery    6. Quick and easy cooking    7. Reference    8. General cookery   

Reviews (3)

Fantastic
This book is addictive.I spent an entire weekend reading it cover to cover.I received this book as an engagement present from a good friend.We are both cookbook collectors.The essays in this book are fascinating.They give you a real feel for the breadth of Jewish experiences in the diaspora.The recipies are exciting.I love to cook interesting and exotic foods and keep a strictly kosher home.It is a joy to have so many sumptuous recipes to choose from.One not of caution for the kosher crowd,I have still not been able to find all of the exotic spices and seasonings with kosher supervision.The majority - yes, but there are a few hold outs.The cookbook is still well worth the money.

A Book of Essays and Recipes
This volume is almost two books in one. One part is a story of the Jewish diaspora told from the standpoint of the foods they had in their new lands. This takes the form of a series of essays that discuss the movement of food with the people. As they went to new places, they encountered new ingrediants and couldn't get others. The food had to change accordingly. These essays give a history of some of these changes and are fascinating to see how foods develop through change.
Easy, Sumptuous Recipes and a Joy to Read
Okay, I know this author and I'm crazy about him. I am not what you'd call an accomplished cook, and further, I live smack in the middle of white bread country in an area where mainly Jewish people eat Jewish food and mostly in the privacy of their homes. I might not know about kreplach, kugels, and knishes, except from the Jewish folks I went to college with, and subsequently, from the few Jewish restaurants here in St. Louis, where shiksas like me go to eat exotically. On the other hand, I own a lot of cookbooks and really do use some of them on a regular basis. I watch Food TV on a fairly regular basis and pull recipes off food.com. I like to discover new (Okay, they're usually only new to me!) dishes and test them on my family and friends. Most important, I eat-a lot. While these facts hardly make me a food critic, they do make me feel completely qualified and objective in my decision to award this book all five stars.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery, Jewish    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - General    5. Regional & Ethnic - International    6. Regional & Ethnic - Jewish & Kosher    7. Cooking / Jewish & Kosher   

Reviews (3)

Another Fantastic Gooseberry Patch Cookbook!
"Welcome Home for the Holidays"is another fantastic addition to the "Gooseberry Patch" series of books. This book is full of fantastic cooking tips, fun traditions and holiday memories for everyone. This book is THE BEST!
The many wonderful recipes and decorating ideas in this book have become tradition in our home over the past few years. My children (and even their friends) never let me forget 'Dinner in a Pumpkin'.I have alsogiven this book as a gift several times to my children's teachers. Thisis a "must have" for those of you like me who love the timesbetween Halloween and Christmas.

Cozy Family Traditions
O.K. y'all, this book is filled with all sorts of cozy country holiday ideas. It is a must for anyone who loves the holidays, buy it now and plan for the best holiday season ever!!! Great ideas from harvest to Christmas!! ... Read more

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

Reviews (1)

Holiday Easy with style
There are a number of ideas in this book where you need just a few ingredients. It is wonderful for the party that is a spur of the moment. The recipes are easy but there is flare and enough diversity to be of interest for all food tastes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Holiday - General    5. Quick and easy cookery    6. Cooking / Holiday   

Reviews (3)

My Favorite Cookbook!
I bought this wonderful cookbook nearly 15 years ago on the recommendation of a friend.I collect cookbooks and this one is the first one I grab when planning a party or celebration.Menus for everything from a New Year'sSoup Bowl party to weddings, anniversary parties, barbecues, Father's Day,Mother's Day, Graduation, and wonderful holiday dinners and buffets are allfilled with scrumptious and fail-safe recipes.Each recipe gives greatinstructions on how far in advance it can be prepared, making entertaininga snap.I've used this book so many times that it has become tattered anddog eared.All of Sorosky's books are excellent.Please, Marlene, howabout an update of this fabulous classic!

Always an answer to a what to serve question.
I purchased this book around 1984.It has served me well as a hostess and a guest. The step by step and do ahead hints are priceless.It is too bad it is out of print, but I always look for Sorosky (no, not Stewart) in thecook book section. This is truly doable.

Beautiful, fail-safe dishes every time!
I do a lot of entertaining throughout the year.Until I read Ms. Sorosky's book, I'd considered myself resaonably good as a cook.This book let me soar! From it I've developed annual menus for various holidays, and it's given me great dishes for special occasions -- the bridal shower, etc..It's well-written, beautifully illustrated,and the directions, being thorough and straightforward (with explicit help for the less experienced cook), are so easy to follow.A classic in this field. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining    5. Holiday    6. Holiday cookery   

Reviews (6)

love this cookbook
i love macrina bakery and i love this cookbook.even when i'm not baking from it i love to just read through it (which i've done countless times).The rocket muffins are delicious and the pie dough recipe is the best and easiest i've come across.

one of my favorites
I'm a cook who tries to avoid baking whenever possible, but I got this book as a gift and it has really turned me on to baking artisan breads - my favorites are the olive loaf, potato bread, and the pizza dough. It's so worth it when you have the time! Also, the lavender-lemon scones are phenomenal, and fast and easy. We've used the pie dough recipe not only for desert pies but for chicken pot pies. I've tried about a third of the recipes in the book, and everything has been delicious.
Attention to details yeilds amazing results!
The Macrina Bakery is one of the best places to go for sweet or savory treats.This book shows why: these folks work hard!
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Subjects:  1. Baking    2. Baking - Confectionery    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Courses & Dishes - Bread    6. Courses & Dishes - Desserts    7. Holiday - General    8. Macrina Bakery and Cafe    9. Methods - Baking    10. Cooking / American / Western States