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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Food For Thought, April 27 2002
This review is from: How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking (Hardcover)
Being a single man in the throes of mid-life ( I'm currently 46 ) many friends of mine have long suspected that, if asked, I could not say with any certainty where the kitchen is located in my flat. Obviously that is there not so gentle way of informing me that I truly do need to, from time to time, make myself much better acquainted with that long neglected area. A room where I feel completely ill at ease and one in which feels as if I'm entering a dark, forboding dimension. And, unfortunately, one in which I am ill equipped at best. With that in mind I recently purchased a copy of " How To Be A Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking " in a sort of desperate plea to save myself from the clutches of fast food chains and frozen dinner entree's that is the closest thing that I, sadly admitting, have to 'home cooking'....other than being entertained at various friends homes and having them take pity on me by cooking an actually fully realized meal. For which I am extremely grateful! With all that being said, Nigella Lawson's book has been, save for one or two minor 'accidents' that I've committed, an absolute 'Godsend' in helping me and my complete lack of baking talents. The recipes are done in painstaking detail and the photo's show the finished product in all it's glory. And while I will freely admit that the end result of my cooking doesn't always mirror the photograph's in her book at least it allows me something to strive toward. Nigella's prose is extremely chatty and very intimate in a comfortable, getting-to-know-you sort of way. Unlike some recent cook books I 've come across she has a wonderful way of putting the reader at ease when attempting something new i.e. breads, cakes, cookies and even jams ( which I may never muster up the courage to attempt! ). And while my none of my creations have come out looking quite as extroadinary as her's I suspect half the fun is in the trying! Ummm.....at least I do hope so! Obviously for the 'culinary challenged' male, such as myself, a book such as this is not only an education but an entertaining way of getting more comfortable in an area where we once found ourselves 'visiting' if only for that morning cup of coffee! Plus, of course, now instead of just entertaining friends with a wonderful cup of java I may have a wonderfully delicious surprise the next time someone comes over. And if that isn't comfort than I don't know what is. Thanks!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for all cooks, Aug 6 2004
I was given "How To Eat" as a gift by my brother...I devoured the book from cover to cover and absolutely loved it's contents. I have collected cookery books since the age of eleven and have to say that "How To Eat" revolutionised my collection. I decided to buy "How To Be a Domestic Goddess" and was a little disappointed that it was slightly less "chatty" than the previous. However, I read it from cover to cover and enjoyed it. I rarely use cookbooks though I love to read them, I use the ideas but not the recipes. I have been told I'm a good cook...but by my own admission a lousy baker. My pastry is dry and boring, my cakes consist of a basic all-in-one recipe I learned by heart years ago and consequently all taste the same. I decided to take the plunge and follow some of Nigella's recipes...wow!! The difference is astounding and I now bake cookies, cakes and pastry using her recipes. I use this book regularly (though curiously have never cooked from her "How To Eat" book). I also purchased "Nigella Bites",I read it from cover to cover in the vain hope of finding it interesting eventually. Sadly this book is not to the same standard and I have never referred to it for any of the recipes or ideas. I would recommend "How To Be A Domestic Goddess" to anyone looking for inspiration for baking, for mothers wishing to wow their offspring with more than just a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, for young cooks and this book makes a perfect wedding gift.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed, Jan 20 2002
This review is from: How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking (Hardcover)
Ok, I'll give this book a five star rating for pictures and style. But the two star rating is for the recipes I've tried to date...the culmination being the "Snickerdoodles." I've made snickerdoodles for 25 years and thought it would be fun to try a different recipe. These were the worst cookies I've ever made! Wasted a sunday aftenoon. I'll keep trying to come up with some favorites from the book, but so far, it's none too promising. Are these really her favorite recipes?
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