The Bottom Line
Delicious, charming, inspirational and, above all else, a very useable cookbook for home chefs who aspire to create recipes that will 'wow' their guests.
Pros
- The recipes are as good today as they were 25 years ago.
- The addition of color photos makes this book even better.
- This book epitomizes the tastes and ingredients of modern American cuisine.
- Recipes are easy to follow.
- Sidebar information takes this beyond a mere recipe book.
Cons
- None found.
Description
- Available in hard or soft cover.
- Now includes beautiful color photos.
- Still includes the charming illustrations from Sheila Lukins.
- Includes fabulous recipes ranging from starters to desserts.
- Sprinkled throughout with food wisdom, cooking advice, and party inspiration.
Guide Review - The Silver Palate Cookbook 25th Anniversary Edition
It's hard to believe that I don't have the original version of The Silver Palate Cookbook in my home library, but this book was originally published before I started to cook. Back in those days I was still unsettled, more focused on starting a career than learning any of the domestic arts. And yet it's not surprising how familiar I am with the recipes and flavors found in this classic book. This is the collection that represents the turning point in modern American cuisine. I'm sure that after its original publishing, this book inspired countless home chefs, caterers, and coffee shops to make the dishes that were such a revelation to me at that time.I never heard of the classic Chicken Marbella recipe from this book, but I've enjoyed many renditions of it under another name. Gourmet ingredients became everyday food, and fresh ingredients became mandatory in a quality meal.
You know how perfect a book is when after 25 years, there's still nothing dated about it. Not only have the recipes held up over the last quarter of a century, but so do the tips such as "Good Excuses for a Picnic," and advice on topics such as how to choose a cheese.
This is the kind of cookbook that a hostess will turn to constantly as she plans her dinner parties. If a hostess absolutely had to give up all of her cookbooks but one, this would be the one that she'd have to keep. I may not have had The Silver Palate Cookbook on my kitchen shelf during its first 25 years, but I'm sure it will have a prominent place over the next 25 years.
