Customer Reviews

The Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book contains some of the most creative and tasty food I've ever found in a cookbook. I like it even better than The Silver Palate Cookbook, mostly because I cook for special occasions but also because I've had better luck with the recipes. The book is arranged seasonally, with suggested menus for specific celebrations. This, along with the homey illustrations make it a staple in my kitchen. Oh, and try the Garlic and Arrugula soup, it is TO DIE!

SPGT has been a family favorite for years. From the chili for a crowd to the many large recipes for group, it`s really a perfect book for those who cook for large families or like to freeze ahead for the weeks to come!
Highly recommend it.

The follow up to the Silver Palate Cookbook in some ways even exceeds its predecessor. All recipes are organized by season, focusing on the best quality ingredients available. Truly a great cookbook.

This is the most used book in my kitchen. I love the seasonal approach, and always look at the book for dinner and entertaining ideas at the start of each season.

Some of my favorites are Bobbies Roast Chicken (ginger, mustard, lemon, mmmm!), June's Apple Crisp, some of the unusual and festive winter vegetables dishes (how about Brussels sprouts with maple and walnut vinaigrette or the Ruby Radishes?).

Christmas is very special indeed with the Red and Green Christmas Salad (spinach, avocado and pomegranates) with Warm Champagne Vinegar Dressing.

Buy it, you will feel inspired to be more creative with your cooking!

This was the first cookbook I ever bought, back in my early-'90s bachelor days. I tried the coq au vin recipe for a big dinner party -- and it flopped so catastrophically that even a then-amateur cook like me realized that no human can screw up a dish this badly without help. I rarely ever touched the cookbook again. I've made the apple pie several times over the years, but had to seriously adjust the cream recommendation of the recipe, because it made for soupy (if tasty) pies. It took four times using this recipe and ending up with soupy pie to realize **it wasn't me, but the recipe.** For some reason, I kept the book with me (never throw out a cookbook). I became a pretty decent cook, and married one too. Two days ago, my wife decided to make the Comforting Shredded Beef. She asked me to come into the kitchen to light the cognac the authors instruct you to pour over the browned pot roast. The ...thing exploded! I kid you not, we followed the recipe *exactly*, and started a kitchen fire, which required use of the fire extinguisher, and evacuating the apartment until it aired out...

The recipe for Chocolate Raspberry Cake alone is worth the price of this book.Then there's the St. Nicholas Cake, a fruity cake for the holidays and Eggnog French Toast and Lamb Stew with Lemon and Olives. Recipes have some unusual ingredients sometimes, but you can often track them down without too much trouble.

The book is beautifully organized by the seasons. You'll find fancier illustrations elsewhere, but you won't find better recipes for entertaining. Rosse and Lukins developed these recipes for their shop in New York City and each one that I've tried is a hit. So many cookbooks have mediocre recipes but you can depend on this one.

All of these recipes will encourage one to begin cooking with a fervor - no matter what the season! All ingredients are seasonal ... but uniquely combined. But, be warned! These recipes are not for the mom-on-the-go. They are time consuming.

If you like to entertain, you're going to love this cookbook. Filled with wonderful, elegant and delicious recipes that aren't too difficult to execute; it's a source I return to again and again when searching for a new, fresh idea for a party.

In addition to the clearly written directions, illustrations and side bar hints and tips assist in ensuring that you achieve good results every time. The garnishing and presentation ideas provided also elevate the look and feel of even the most informal or impormptu event.

Thematically and seasonally arranged, you can follow the pre-planned menu's developed by Rosso & Luskins or pick through and choose those that appeal to you most.

The splatters and stains on my copy confirm that this is a much loved, much used book in my collection. I partucularly enjoy the Marinated Shrimp flavored with herbs and citurs and the Pate Mousse with Bacon and Walnuts is divine!

This is a great accompaniment to the original Silver Palette Cookbook. The emphasis here is on entertaining, so the recipes are frequently more formal and serve larger quantities. The book is arranged seasonally with proposed menus (i.e. a Kentucky Derby party, mid-winter skiing holiday). You'll get great ideas for parties just looking through the book. Plus, there are lots of great tips on planning a party and cooking for a crowd. I particularly recommend the Broccoli-Watercress Soup - I return to it again and again as the definitive cream of broccoli soup. If you're not able to brine your Thanksgiving turkey (which is my personal favorite but very time consuming), the recipe and cooking method in this book is the next best thing. Also, their turkey saves better than any other I've tried. Martha Stewart has better pictures of entertaining in her cookbooks, but this book has the best recipes for entertaining and is the most practical for your typical cook.

Alright, these recipes are not nutritionally-correct. Many are high on fats and sugars. But when you want a special dish to really "wow" your guests, or to celebrate a special occasion, this is the book you'll turn to! Not only are the recipes great, but the sidebars have lots of useful tips for serving and entertaining. This is one of the two or three most used cookbooks in my collection!