I really like this cookbook, it's the only one I own that I go back to again and again. It would make a great buy or gift for someone who wants to learn to cook but doesn't know where to start. The lack of photos makes the book seem dull but I've come to prefer it, there are no cheffy presentations to make me feel inadequate!
I've knocked it down from a 5 to a 4 because I've come across errors so obvious I have no idea how they went unnoticed. Take the Spaghetti Bolognese entry for an example. It tells you you'll need a 100g/14oz can of tomatoes. 14oz is 396g! In the same recipe there's no mention of celery in the ingredient list but the recipe says 'Add the onion and celery'.
whenever Im stuck for something to cook - or I have things in the fridge that I dont know what to do with - I check out this book which Ive had for years and it never fails to come up with an answer, brilliant - if I had to chuck all my books out and keep just one - this is the one that would survive!!!!!!!!!!!!
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`some of the recipes are old Leith's favourites and some are new, some are very rich and some are light and healthy.
222 shiny high quality pages split over 5 main chapters:-
First Courses and Side Dishes
Main Courses
Desserts
Cake, Pastries and Breads
Miscellaneous
with a foreword from Caroline Waldegrave, principal of Leith's School of Food and Wine and the compiler of this book, `Menu Planning' and a `dictionary of cooking terms',
along with a full index.
Straightforward 2-page spread recipes with opening note - if applicable, the title, number of servings, list of ingredients with subdivisions - if applicable and a clearly numbered method on the left hand page ... Read More:
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`some of the recipes are old Leith's favourites and some are new, some are very rich and some are light and healthy.
222 shiny high quality pages split over 5 main chapters:-
First Courses and Side Dishes
Main Courses
Desserts
Cake, Pastries and Breads
Miscellaneous
with a foreword from Caroline Waldegrave, principal of Leith's School of Food and Wine and the compiler of this book, `Menu Planning' and a `dictionary of cooking terms',
along with a full index.
Straightforward 2-page spread recipes with opening note - if applicable, the title, number of servings, list of ingredients with subdivisions - if applicable and a clearly numbered method on the left hand page ... Read More:
>>More Details
`some of the recipes are old Leith's favourites and some are new, some are very rich and some are light and healthy.
222 shiny high quality pages split over 5 main chapters:-
First Courses and Side Dishes
Main Courses
Desserts
Cake, Pastries and Breads
Miscellaneous
with a foreword from Caroline Waldegrave, principal of Leith's School of Food and Wine and the compiler of this book, `Menu Planning' and a `dictionary of cooking terms',
along with a full index.
Straightforward 2-page spread recipes with opening note - if applicable, the title, number of servings, list of ingredients with subdivisions - if applicable and a clearly numbered method on the left hand page ... Read More:
>>More Details
`some of the recipes are old Leith's favourites and some are new, some are very rich and some are light and healthy.
222 shiny high quality pages split over 5 main chapters:-
First Courses and Side Dishes
Main Courses
Desserts
Cake, Pastries and Breads
Miscellaneous
with a foreword from Caroline Waldegrave, principal of Leith's School of Food and Wine and the compiler of this book, `Menu Planning' and a `dictionary of cooking terms',
along with a full index.
Straightforward 2-page spread recipes with opening note - if applicable, the title, number of servings, list of ingredients with subdivisions - if applicable and a clearly numbered method on the left hand page ... Read More:
>>More Details
`some of the recipes are old Leith's favourites and some are new, some are very rich and some are light and healthy.
222 shiny high quality pages split over 5 main chapters:-
First Courses and Side Dishes
Main Courses
Desserts
Cake, Pastries and Breads
Miscellaneous
with a foreword from Caroline Waldegrave, principal of Leith's School of Food and Wine and the compiler of this book, `Menu Planning' and a `dictionary of cooking terms',
along with a full index.
Straightforward 2-page spread recipes with opening note - if applicable, the title, number of servings, list of ingredients with subdivisions - if applicable and a clearly numbered method on the left hand page ... Read More:
>>More Details
A year ago, I would be on edge a couple of days before hosting a dinner party, and be so concerned about getting the cooking done on the night, that I found I wasn't able to enjoy the company, the conversation or the food until it was all over. Not a great hostess!
This book is now my first reference for planning dinner parties, and has been very well used. It provides some stunning recipes which place the emphasis on good combinations of ingredients that can be put together easily on the night, and/or prepared in advance rather than on complex dishes. I guess it has been written to impress guests with a relaxed host and a fantastic tasting and appealing meal, rather than with a difficult and complicated menu with a harrassed and worn ... Read More:
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A year ago, I would be on edge a couple of days before hosting a dinner party, and be so concerned about getting the cooking done on the night, that I found I wasn't able to enjoy the company, the conversation or the food until it was all over. Not a great hostess!
This book is now my first reference for planning dinner parties, and has been very well used. It provides some stunning recipes which place the emphasis on good combinations of ingredients that can be put together easily on the night, and/or prepared in advance rather than on complex dishes. I guess it has been written to impress guests with a relaxed host and a fantastic tasting and appealing meal, rather than with a difficult and complicated menu with a harrassed and worn ... Read More:
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Ignore the "it's too stuffy" comment about this book--it really is a wonderful, intelligent and practical book. With this and Alan Davidson's terrific book on North Atlantic seafood, you don't need much if any more.
And yes, herbs do play an important part in the recipes--it's just not nuovo Italiano of the Jamie Oliver school.
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