Cooking Books

This book is one I have wanted for years. I have used it several times, successfully. Her tartar sauce can't be surpassed. A wonderful gift for anyone.

I seem to enjoy reading cookbooks in the same way other read novels. I found that this book had super recipes. I have been after the Neiman Marcus carrot cake recipe for years and years. Every-time I go to the cafe I just have to have the carrot cake it is my favorite. I always asked where I could get the recipe no one could tell me. I looked inside the Neiman Marcus Cookbook and they only had a picture of the carrot cake, no carrot cake recipe. I tried making the one in this book and it is fabulous. I think it tops the one at Neiman Marcus because it is homemade and fresh. I made it in a rectangle large brownie type baking dish (not a bundt) and added 1/2 cup raisins. It was fabulous. Next I am going to try making the monkey bread in my pop over molds. That sound super too. There are really many many great recipes in this book. I am very happy with my purchase.

This is such a great book. No matter what you want to cook, Helen has a recipe for it. All of the recipes are so good.

I will pass this book on to my children.

Cannon Flowers
DALLAS, TX

The Zodiac Room, at the top of the legendary Neiman-Marcus Department store, in downtown Dallas was my first real exposure to how wonderful food could be...my Mom was an excellent Texas cook, my Texan grandmothers were wonderful cooks as well. Their repertoire was traditional Texas fare...chili con carne, chicken fried steak with cream gravy,cream pies, fried okra, cheese enchiladas and so on...and I loved their food. I grew up in West Texas surrounded by amazing, delicious food.

But the first time I ate Helen Corbitt's Guinea Hen Madeira,her Crabmeat Chantilly, her Poppy Seed Dressing, my life changed. Her food at the Zodiac Room was amazing...it changed my life.

For the last twenty years I have cooked for a living and Helen Corbitt remains my primary inspiration.

I am so thrilled to see Helen Corbitt's recipes back in print. I place her in the late 20th century Cooks Pantheon next to James Beard, Julia Child, Adelle Davis and Martha Stewart.

Stewart Wise

This cookbook reintroduces Helen Corbitt, though if you have lived in Texas for years you are no doubt familiar with her. She became famous as the head of the restaurants of Neiman-Marcus department stores, and many Texans know her through her texas "caviar", hot fudge pecan balls, retro molded salads, fabulous "potluck" recipes, poppy seed dressing, and other Texas favorites. If you cannot find the original editions, this is certainly one to own. You will find yourself using it over and over again.

I ordered this book thinking that I would be getting more background on Mennonite cooking. It is a fine book though for anyone who just wants recipes.

A great book for cooking ahead. I find I use it a lot in planning meals that I need to take somewhere or planning meals I need to have cooked well before dinner time. The only nit-pick I'd have is that there are a lot of "variations on a theme" recipes, but this could also be seen as a positive

One of my favorite traditions is the church fellowship meal - where each family brings a dish to pass, and the whole congregation gathers together to eat in Christian fellowship. This wonderful book is a collection of over 900 recipes (I took the author's word for it, I am NOT going to try to count them!) that were collected from Mennonite churches across the United States.

The main part of the book is divided into seven sections: 1) breads, rolls and muffins, 2) soups, 3) salads (vegetable, meat & fruit), 4) main dishes (vegetable, chicken, ground beef, turkey, ham, sausage, seafood, other meats, bean & pasta), 5) breakfast foods, 6) pies and tarts, 7) cakes, 8) bars and cookies, 9) desserts and candies, 10) appetizers and snacks, 11) cheeses and dips, and 12) beverages. But, that's not all; there are also three fascinating chapters on one-pot meals, "if you do not cook," and "time savers, space savers and other hints."

This is a great book, with lots of wonderful, easy to read and follow recipes. So far, my wife and I have made the Mexican Salad (p.65), the Almond Chicken (p.113), and the Double Chocolate Crumble Bars (p.215) - all of which were great. We love this book, and highly recommend it to you!

I use this book all of the time. Most of the recipes are items most people who like to cook will have on their shelves or in their refrigerators. Have given this book as a gift three times because I love the recipes!

Carolyn S. Cecil
Lincoln, IL

This cookbook is the best one I have in my collection. I use it almost weekly. Espically when I have to prepare a dish for a crowd. It has over 900 recipies from the wonderful Amish people. Not only does it have unbelievable recipies but it has cooking tips and ideas for meals. The recipies are simple and very easy to understand. I would recommend this cookbook to anyone.

This cookbook is everything that I wanted and more...I like the fact that the recipes are easy to follow and most of the ingredients are either already in your pantry or not hard to find at your local grocery stores...Good old fashion recipes for those who like down home good cooking...

Since I have most of the original 'Bell's Best' cookbooks, I wondered if I needed this 'Best of the Best'. I do need this cookbook. It's so easy to find the recipes and so much easier to handle. Really am glad I got this one.

The TelecomPioneers of Mississippi have published a series of four volumes of cookbook recipes, beginning with "Bell's Best" in 1981, followed by "Bell's Best 2"; "Savory Classics"; and "Bell's Best IV". The accumulative total of these four previously published cookbooks adds up to more than six thousand recipes! Now available from Quail Ridge Press is their fifth cookbook volume, "Best Of The Best From Bell's Best Cookbook" which is a distillation and compilation of 429 recipes taken from the previous four volumes of the 'Bell's Best Cookbook' series and presented along with informative and fascinating historical facts and illustrations showing the development of the telephone over the years from its inception with Alexander Graham Bell's initial transmission over a telephone line to his assistant Thomas Watson, down to the touch tone and cell phones present day. This outstanding compendium include recipes for beverages and appetizers; breads and breakfasts; soups, stews and chilies; salads; pastas and rice dishes; meats; poultry; seafood; cakes; cookies and candies; as well as pies and other desserts. Of special note is the chapter devoted to equivalents and substitutions. From an Almond-Bacon Cheese Dip; to Chicken Tortilla Soup; to Fruit Salad with Apricot Dressing; to a Sausage Rice Casserole; to Barbequed Shrimp; to Crushed Pineapple Cream Cake; to Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge, these are dishes that would grace any dining occasion, please any palate, and satisfy any appetite. "Best Of The Best From Bell's Best Cookbook" is a welcome and recommended addition to both personal and community library cookbook collections!

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I grew up in Mississippi and have since traveled and lived all over the world. Trust me, unless you are a total foodie (heck, even if you are- I am and I STILL like these recipes) you will adore this cookbook. If you are trying to master regional southern cookery this is a WONDERFUL place to start. Real recipes from real people- this is the everyday food of Mississippi. If you want some of the more refined food order this (because it's great) but also order Southern Sideboards from the Junior League of Jackson, Mississippi. Together they make a wonderful set as a gift!

Okay, when I saw this Cookbook, I just had to have it. I have the Original Bell's Best cookbook. I was thrilled to see a compilation of all 4 cookbooks combined. I bought copies for some relatives of mine as well. The Bell's Best are well known here in the south (at least I think they are). I only wish there were more recipes added. It could easily been made a much bigger cookbook, esp. since the other Bell's Best cookbooks are hundreds of pages in length. I guess this will leave room for sequels so others can enjoy these recipes as much as I have!

This is avery good book on Italian food. I have added the book to my cooking library.

Being of half-Italian extraction (and having learned many recipes and techniques from my Italian Grandmother), and considering that I've read and/or purchased more than a dozen Italian cookbooks, I can safely say that this is the best Italian cookbook that I've seen thus far. I really like the recipes that Mr. Cecconi puts forth, but I will caution the novice cook that his directions seem aimed at those who are completely comfortable in the kitchen or have some cooking experience. If you know your way around a stove, can handle a knife and know the difference between basil and oregano, then I encourage you to expand your culinary expertise via this most awesome Italian cookbook; beware though, this is not a numbered, step-by-step, fully illustrated, hand-holding direction guide for new cooks. On the other hand, if you're looking to hone your repertoire of Italian recipes, I'll save you the trouble of looking elsewhere for a single-volume cookbook that covers it all......this is it. From appetizers to desserts and everything in between, this book gives you the recipes and insight needed to fool your guests into thinking that you are a true Italian chef. If cooking is more than a chore to you and you're looking to cook in the true Italian style, then you must buy this book. My applause to Mr. Cecconi and to Betty Crocker.

I love this cookbook! The recipes are very authentic and the variety is excellent. I make a recipe from this book at least once a week, and I've had the book for a year. I recently bought a copy for my mother-in-law. I've had people tell me that my food tastes better than something from an Italian restaurant. The recipes do involve a lot of cooking, since most of them use fresh herbs and vegetables. But the quality makes it worth the time! Happy cooking!

This is one of my favorite Italian cookbooks. The recipes in this book are easy, don't require hard-to-find ingredients and best of all, taste great! I have made several recipes and have been pleased with all. Another book I would recommend would be the Italian Cooking Encyclopedia published by Hermes and Hermes (these recipes are more complicated, but authentic!).

I just got this book, and the book is fun reading as well as informative about the foods in the 20 regeons in Italy. Each recipe contains easy to follow directions, prep times, and cooking times. If you love simple and great Italian food, this book is for you.

I have made many of the recipes in this cookbook. Having lived in Europe for 8 years and parents from Germany, Poland, and the Ukraine, I found many of the recipes to be quite authentic and very flavorful. The selections are from most parts of the world with some being very simple to prepare while others required a little more time and expertise. Consider the use of this cookbook an adventure. You just might find some to be your favorites.

All recipes I have tryed has been weel tasting and easy to make.
It is a exelent Cookbook.

I LOVE this cookbook. It's the only cookbook that I can honestly say that I haven't made a single bad dish from. The dishes are authentic as well. Just wish it was in print so I could give all my friends copies, then they wouldn't always be asking for the recipe. I have to admit that I didn't expect such a good, authentic international cookbook from Betty Crocker, but she sure delivered this time.

...........My sister managed to get me a copy of this cookbook, her absolute favorite, as a Christmas gift. First let me say, grab one before they are no longer in print! This is one stellar cookbook.........filled with more than 450 best-loved recipes from around the world, many with tempting photos. My husband and I have made a batch of recipes from this cookbook in the short time we've had it and each has turned out wonderfully! From Hummus, to Hunan Lemon Chicken to Chicken Paprika with Dumplings to Hungarian Goulash and with desserts like Cardamom Fudge and Honey Cake, we've already fallen in love with this diverse, no fail cookbook. My sister and her husband have probably cooked at least half of the recipes in this cookbook and have really enriched and expanded their culinary experiences. There have been very few recipes that they haven't truly enjoyed! I highly recommend this cookbook to anyone intrigued at the thought of international cooking!

This cookbook is packed full of exotic but simple recipes and is a continuing source of culinary delight. The ingredients are readily available and the writing is very clear, with photographs for some of the dishes. Some of my favorite recipes are: - Sopa de Tortilla - Gazpacho (decrease the red wine vinegar to 1/4 cup) - Paella (open the clams and drain before cooking) - Coulibiac (use fresh dill weed only!) - Vatapa - Linguine con Vongole Bianco (al dente for linguine!!) - Chicken Curry - Coucous with Chicken - Gai Ding (the cashews should be raw) - Moui Nagden (steam green peppers and add them when the rest of the dish has cooked) - Carne Rellena - Feijoada - Cassoulet - Moussaka (use young eggplants) - Spanokopita - Irish Soda Bread

I just purchased my kindle and was delighted to see "Biba's Northern Italian Cooking"which I immediately downloaded. I bought the original book which was published by HP books. Everytime I used it for guests for dinner they would rave about the meal and I would give them my copy. Over the years I can't count the number of times I have repurchased this cookbook. Now it's on my kindle and my guests will have to buy their own copy.

Biba's reciepe book is the bible for my family. Every woman in our family has this book...my original additon is tattered...and I just bought it for my new daughter-in-law. It is filled with the basic receipies of our Northern Italian Background. It is like having all my grandmother's receipes in on convenient book. We love it and love Biba.
Susan Rastelliu

An earlier edition of this continues to be my favorite Italian cookbook after 15 years. I just purchased a new copy to give to my daughter for her first cookbook.

Every recipe from this book that I've tried over the years has been delicious. There are other great Italian cookbooks out there, and I own some of them, too. I like this one in particular for Caggiano's recipe selection, and its sample illustrations of preparation technique and presentation. The visuals were reassuring when I was new to cooking and entertaining. Now, when I'm deciding on a dinner, this is one of the books I consult out of reflex.

Italian cuisine varies across the penninsula. Most Italian-Americans came from the south. If you are accustomed to southern italian cooking, many of the recipes in this book will be brand new to you, and add a savory variety to your menu.

From appetizers to pasta, polenta, risotto, main courses, vegetables, sauces and desserts, I've made many wonderful dinners with what I call "Biba's book".

I just love this cookbook! Biba's recipes are well explained and go from simple and hearty to elegant and sophisticated! This is my northern Italian cookbook bible! Try the shellfish risotto, friggione, or tuna fish sauce recipes, and you'll see what I mean.

Biba also includes seasonal menus which has really helped me a
lot with putting together dinners for my husband's Italian family! This is a great set of recipes and, if you like Italian food, or, if you're like me and don't really like pasta - this may be the book you've been looking for!

I have been cooking with this cookbook for years, and my mother did for years before me. Biba is the only person she and I would dare consult for the amount of parmigiano-reggiano to put in our pesto sauce, and the recipes from this fantastic cookbook have saved many a dinner party from what would otherwise have been a boring menu. Her risotto recipes are divine, and her sauces and condiments are foolproof, time after time. I recommend her pesto genovese, as well as her bechamel sauce.

Wow! Although I would have liked that it'd had much more pictures, it's
excellent.

This is a fantastic book and I have already made 2 of the recipes with great and yummy results. I highly recommend this to anyone with children who is interested in cooking delicious snacks.

The Snickerdoodle Pinwheels recipe (p. 174) is one of our favorites. It's better than the traditional Snickerdoodles.

There's something for everyone. Nut lovers, nut haters. Chocolate lovers. etc.

I like this book very much, and recommend it highly. It is a rare combination of 2 things that I enjoy every much: rich and fattening cookies, and recipes that work.

This book has 475 cookie recipes that have all been thoroughly tested by the test kitchens at Better Homes and Gardens. As such, every recipe I have ever done from this book has worked the first time through. With this many cookies, you are sure to find a recipe that fills the bill, and you will find rarities such as rosettes, cookie gun recipes, and pizzelle. There were some that I did not like, but that is not because the recipe was faulty, but because I just didn't like the cookie (this is especially true of the some of the bar cookies). This is also a handy book if you have youngsters who want to help you make cookies: the recipes won't fail you, and there are several "smiley face" sort of cookies that will appeal to children, and also many bars that are easy to do, even for children.

Also commendable is the format. The book is plastic spiral bound, which means that the book lies flat on the table when you are trying to do a recipe from it. Each recipe has a full page devoted to it, meaning that the text is nice and large and easy to read, and the recipe is nicely spread out over the printed page and not just jammed into a corner of it.

There are a few problems:
1) the most aggravating of which is side-bar mania, that is the placing of important information about techniques, ingredients, and equipment in random places throughout the book where you will never find them when you need them.
2) The actual introductory material on how to bake cookies in general in the first chapter is rather scanty. If all the above mentioned side-bars where collected and put into the first chapter, it might make for a decent primer on cookie making.
3) at one point, the authors suggest that you boil dried fruits in brandy on the stove. This sounds like a good recipe for a kitchen fire.
4) the chapter on bar cookies, in a side bar, admonishes you to always use the correct size pan. By my count, however, the chapter uses 5 different pan sizes, and you are unlikely to have all of them. Would it have been that much trouble to standardize all the bar recipes to one or two pan sizes?
5) this book had its share of marginal recipes: those that used mixes or store-bought cookie doughs, plus all those that have oats and/or dried fruit in them.
6) The flour measurement is spoon-and-sweep, but this important information is buried in a section titled "What makes cookies too dry?"

It has the following chapters (the chapter titles were too cute by half): Cookie Basics, Sweet Spoonfuls, Heavenly Hand-Shaped Cookies, Mold and Pressed Shapes, Slices of Delight, Rolling Pin Favorites, Fabulous Filled Cookies, Simple Shortcuts, Best Bars and Brownies.

I bought this book based on the other reviews, and because over the years I have enjoyed baking with the holiday season baking magazines put out by Better Homes & Gardens. I have had this book about two weeks and have made the Pecan Bars and the Banana Bars. I took the Pecan Bars to a party and within 2 minutes of putting the cookie platter down I had three people ask for the recipe. I made the banana bars yesterday, and thought that I had died and gone to heaven. They are so rich and wonderful especially with the browned butter frosting. I know that I am going to find all kinds of favorites in this book, and that I will have lots of fun baking new things!

This is a very good book, full of recipes and knowledge! Written in the 30's and has been photocopied and passed around raw circles for years, its only now been re-printed and here for anyone. It seems to me that many raw guru's were the only one's with access to this material, and now its open to all of us. Great!

If you are looking for more understanding of the power of raw foods, the early understanding of them, some humor, and thought provoking writing, order the Black Art of Cooking!

One of the best raw food books written! Its full of great recipies, great food, wisdom and great ideas for the raw lifestyle.

Lots of fun and good humor too!

If you have an opportunity to read this book, then you will find it very clear and full of great info. This book is one that you should get if you are concerned about what you eat or are a raw food eater. The book is VERY easy to follow, and is organized well. I had a hard time putting down it down, as it's really interesting and doesn't discourage you. I've bought many books on raw food, and I would definitely recommend this edition.

This is a funny, fun, interesting, fascinating wonderful 'cook book' - i.e. raw food recipes and full of the historical raw food experience.

Its great on many levels, and you deserve it!

IF YOU VALUE YOUR HEALTH AND THE QUALITY OF YOUR DAYS, THIS BOOK IS NOT ONLY A MUST READ BUT A MUST DO !!!!!!!!!!!!OF COURSE THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE MUST HAVE ONLY ENOUGH DESIRE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO The Black Art of Cooking: The RAW TruthDO BUT NOT ENOUGH DESIRE TO ACTUALLY DO. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!

This is a classic that I nearly did not order, due to the strange title. But, I was encouraged by the reviews and it lived up to them. I have been gaining a fantastic amount of recipes (Raw of course!) from the past, many new ways of creating tastes that I had not thought of before. It's funny, but due to the lack of worldwide transportation and the global food distribution system, they could not find the full array of spices etc that we have today, therefore they used very different ways to create some delicious raw meals.

I'm glad I got past the funny title! Enjoy!

I am unable to bring up the "Tenth Edition All New Fannie Farmer Boston Cooking School Cookbook". My book records the last printing was June 1968, which was the 15th printing. It is a Bantam Book. I love this book. It has all the basic knowledge one would need, but mine is tattered and falling apart from age.
I would like to know if anyone else has the same book as I have.

I'm no cook. But this is the prize in my kitchen (an ancient paperback, yellow and torn, with a dozen markers noting the classics, the essentials). I figured I nice new copy would be a treat. Alas.

My mothers old copy won't last much longer. I have to have a new one. This book has all the basics anyone needs to learn to cook...

I was 12 years old when I learned to cook with Mother's Boston Cooking School Cookbook. My teen-aged brother thought I was nuts when I tried recipes like Hominy Gems, but I liked trying new foods. When Mother died, I took possession of the book, but when my brother wanted a good basic cookbook, I turned the family treasure over to him. The original book was in sad shape 25 years ago and he needs a new copy, and in spite of having about 30 cookbooks, I still miss my old favorite! It is a good basic cookbook, that offers a variety of good tasting foods that are simple enough for a child or a person of any age learn to cook! Bring it back!!!

This is the cookbook I learned to cook with by my mother's side. My mother is gone now 15+ years and I treasure my old beat up copy whose front cover isn't even attached anymore. The pages are like fragile parchment, grease stained and perfectly seasoned. Still I would love to have a clean, new copy and I 'm sure plenty of other beginners would love to have this available to them. It's a classic!

Wit, wisdom, and little known facts of the world of spirits fill these pages. I have a worn out copy on my bar in my house. Guests always pick it up to glance throught it and end up putting it down hours later... A definte must for every person who enjoys spirits. Every bar should have one as well.

It may be the only comprehensive one of its kind, but when there are others it will still be the best because the author knows so much about the subject and does his homework. It is almost as good as conversation with the author himself when he's working. And that's the height of wit.

A rich and varied compendium of interesting, entertaining, and thoughtful quotes on drinking, Bottled Wisdom is the perfect tonic for the ill-view that a minority in our society take toward the culture of alcohol. Best shared with a friend over a tasty beverage, this book offers humorous and thoughtful quotes. In fact, some of the best quotes are surprising in content and authorship. Just as a visit to a quality bar should be, this anthology will make you smile, laugh, and reflect on life. You will make new friends and be happy to see some old cronies in these pages. Pollman has done his homework and offers a varied and rich anthology. Reigle's illustrations are good and complement the text without overpowering the words. For the imbiber that has everything, this book is the perfect holiday gift.

Mark has done a fabulous job of collecting some classic "wisdom" as well as a whole lot of wonderful new material. I now have a habit of purchasing a copy of the book for all of my ex-U.S. co-workers (after a visit with Mark at the pub, of course) to show them that American humor and ingenuity are alive and well !! I suspect that there are a number of foolish publishers out there "cryin' in their beer" over this lost opportunity ! This book is a great gift for yourself or anyone who appreciates great wit and a tasty libation.

Mark Pollman's book, "Bottled Wisdom", is my defense against the British opinion that nothing American can possibly be as good as the "English way". Pub owners, employees and patrons here in London have been fascinated by Mark's book (ps, Mark, you may have some more new customers!) -- a thoroughly enjoyable read. One word of warning: don't read while drinking, unless your fellow imbibers don't mind being sprayed when you laugh uncontrollably!