I ran across this cookbook one rainy Saturday, and newlywed nostalgia and the beautiful format drew me in. After buying the book and reading it in two sittings, I've begun to cook my way through it. The recipes are considered and fresh, not complex or pretentious. I like the emphasis on seasonal ingredients, especially since this book provides a table of when various fruits and veggies can be expected to be at their peak.

Rather than overwhelming you with recipes, the book offers a small, balanced selection to take you from appetizers to dessert. The culinary authors were caterers and their recipes seem likely to appeal to a wide range of palates. The overall message is that cooking isn't mysterious: with a little preparation it can be done well. For example, you're encouraged to caramelize a large batch of onions and then keep them on hand in the fridge--an easy but pleasingly sophisticated addition to weeknight dishes.

Another thing I found to like about this book came unexpectedly. Less tangible than all the cooking help but equally gratifying is the revelation of the amazing bond between the book's twin sister authors, who have apparently been cooking together since they were kids. Their views on how food helps shape and define our relationships (fortunately, nothing preachy or pseudo-psychoanalytic) are a simple acknowldegement that food can be a chance to do something nice for other people.

The book's modernity is really refreshing. There are sections on cooking with your mate and how to stock a pantry so that you can still eat in when you don't really feel like cooking. There's an overall sense of realism; the bride isn't cast as a Good Housekeeping-style kitchen slave, but the book is subtly geared toward the one partner with a greater interest in cooking, with hints about involving and empowering the less interested partner so that he or she can help with preparations or stocking the fridge and pantry.

Other sections have been useful in surprising ways. Ironically, the tutorial on necessary kitchenware for the new kitchen gave me some insight on simplifying my existing, overstocked one.

Most of the recipes can be described as new American classics and all have been good so far. I look forward to trying more recipes and am frighteningly addicted to the slightly decadent, easy-to-make herbed popcorn. I would recommend this book as a great gift for couples or singles, or for anyone willing to make a moderate time commitment for simple, stylish food.

16 of 17 found the following review helpful:


I LOVE THIS COOKBOOK  Apr 26, 2004
I am what is known as a "cookbook junkie". I buy them to try the recipes, but mostly just to read. Let me tell you, I have tried almost every recipe in this book. They are easy to follow with good pictures and good suggestions for making it a meal. I turn to it on a harried evening when I don't feel like cooking and whenever I am going to have a dinner party. I am searching for more books by these ladies. Awesome.

16 of 17 found the following review helpful:


A Very Classy and Classic Cookbook  Sep 17, 2003 By K. Hemmer "kathehemmer2"
This is such a welcome cookbook.It includes both partner's
in the act of learning to cook together.Most are for the
bride only,and given at a shower, if you are given the
standard book.(It is an excellent,but very basic book.)
The twins who wrote this book want to bring the couple into
the kitchen.Here they learn how to stock the room with the
most fundamental tools,pots and pans and spices and
necessities to start their adventure.
It shows how to prepare for a dinner party with modern
appetizers of the new generation.
It also shows the ordinary problems of how to carve the
turkey.There are recipes for all seasons and holidays.
All time nutricious meals take a big space.Some of them
are enlivened with newer ways of decorating your table.
Everything is a feast for the senses.
When the bride returned from her honeymoon,she told me
she and her husband were about to tackle a veggie
lasagna to have during the football game.
A bridesmaid in their wedding joking said,"Why didn't
you choose this for me."She was married last year and might
get a surprise this year under her tree.
The book ends with to love and cherish,a good reminder
when you are cooking or anytime of the day.

One Comment:Everyone remarked on the elegant wrapping paper
and printed note to the Bride and Groom.I had selected
from Amazon.com, gift wrapping,and an engraved note.I then
added a white bow to the silver paper.I don't know if this is
your standard gift wrap for weddings,but it was beautiful.

9 of 9 found the following review helpful:


so far a definite keeper!  Aug 23, 2003 By Mary C "Mary C"
I received this book as a wedding present and so far have made many of the dishes and been pleased with all. i acutally read it while riding in the car on the way to one of our honeymoon destinations and picked up so really great tips instantly (in the panty/set up intro section). did you know that all you need to do to have your own high quality vanilla extract is buy bulk beans and put them in vodka? and that the beans will last indefinately? little gems like this are worth having the book for in and of themselves.

i made the pork tenderloin with mango salsa and blueberry syrup for dinner guests and them loved it. it was SO pretty! i'm a practiced entertainment cook, but presentation has always been a weaker spot for me. however, this recipe just insists on being pretty! complimented perfectly by the twins decadent coconut rice recipe and some roasted aspargus (what veggie doused in salt and oil and roasted isn't wonderful?).

yesterday's menu was the texas chili and the ultrarich and nutty peanut butter pie.

all of these winners. i also made 2 of the drinks from the beverage section (fresh strawberry daquiris and mojitos) and the shrimp with cherry tomatos and pesto. even though they suggest homemade everything, they also tell you when store bought subs can be used, and this is much of the time. i used store bought pesto that was in the fridge and the shrimp pasta was still great-- and quick! while many of the meals are special occasion fare (and presented as such to be fair), some of the things are easy enough to be weekday dinners, and much can be prepared ahead and frozen/reheated.

i look forward to trying their quick throw together menus and their cooking side by side sections. i've only been married 2 months and really have gotten lots of use out of this book. it's been reliable enough to make something once and serve it to people. the instructions are clear and precise, most cooks could use this book if they have patience and desire.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:


Meals with a flair that don't consume your day!  Apr 05, 2007 By K. Telschow "ktelschow"
My husband bought this for me a few weeks before we got married. He knows how much I love to cook and when he saw me browsing through this in a Williams-Sonoma, he snuck back to the store later and bought it. I'm so glad he did because I absolutely love their recipes! I love to use recipes with a little flair that veer away from the typical "comfort food", but I hate how most of them call for ridiculous ingredients or require you to slave away for 4 or 5 hours! When I come home from a long day at work, that's the last thing I want to do (which is why I sometimes end up eating a bowl of Count Chocula on the couch)! Three reasons I love this cookbook above all others:

1) The directions are clear and easy, I appreciate how they include tips throughout the book on what recipes can be prepared ahead of time, and also the saucy selection of "quick meals" at the back!

2)Their recipes don't feel heavy like general American fare (not that I don't love a Large carton of hot McDonald's fries every now and then).

3)They include ingredients that are a bit more exotic, but don't require you to visit a specialty shop.

We tried their recipe for Guacamole during our Honeymoon week (our honeymoon consisted of moving into our new apartment in Chicago...not exactly Santorini island...but still fun!) and it is the best Guacamole ever created. I've been to countless restaurants of different calibres, and I promise you you won't find one that is better. I've taken it to several parties and family gatherings, and it has become the stuff of legend! It's like catnip for people. Some of my other favorite recipes are the "Goat Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomato & Pesto Torta", the "Wild Rice with Dried Cranberries, Green Onions & Pecans", "Classic Lasagna", and the "Hidden Treasure Bread Pudding" (...and I'm from the South so I KNOW bread pudding, haha).

If you like recipes with flavorful combinations that don't consume your life, BUY THIS BOOK! You won't regret it!

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