Julia Child has given us answers to these and other questions in the ten masterful volumes she has publishedover the past 40 years. But which book ...
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Aug 14, 2011
Steven
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Julia Child describes the focus of the book thus (Page ix): So often you can be in the midst of cooking and you just can't remember whether that leg of lamb should roast in a 325 degree or a 350 degree oven. . .This book aims to give quick snappy answers to many of these questions."
Chapters within this book include: Soup and sauces; Salads and dressings; Vegetables; Meats, poultry, and fish; Egg cookery; Breads, crepes, and tartes; Cakes and cookies; Kitchen equipment and defini More...
Chapters within this book include: Soup and sauces; Salads and dressings; Vegetables; Meats, poultry, and fish; Egg cookery; Breads, crepes, and tartes; Cakes and cookies; Kitchen equipment and defini More...
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Jul 30, 2010
LJ
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Hardy har har. I love Julia Child, I really do. I think her "Mastering the Art..." cookbooks belong in a museum, let alone in the kitchens of people everywhere. However, let's not kid ourselves that ANY of this is simple or basic. For pete's sake her recipe for making hard boiled eggs is almost a page long! That being said, she is still adorable and her love affair with food is definitely admirable, if not contagious.
So this book is not the "cooking for dummies" More...
So this book is not the "cooking for dummies" More...
Aug 19, 2009
Bailey
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This book is basically a crash-course in making delectable treats for those who might be too intimidated by the behemoth that is Mastering the Art of French Cooking, kitchen novices, or people who want to brush up on their kitchen skills. Not all of the recipes are simple, but she provides a good amount of detail and there really isn't a lot of questioning the methods - they're straightforward and understandable. I like that she sometimes explains why a certain technique works scientifically, be
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Jun 12, 2010
CJ
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A small book, a little over 100 pages, packed with 'a lifetime of cooking' expertise of Julia Child. The book arose from Julia's looseleaf notebook she kept in her kitchen. A Cliff Notes, as it were.
The book assumes the reader knows his/her way around a stove and has a reasonably furnished kitchen. What is does is present a 'master receipe' and several different ways to change it to be something else that is wonderful. More than once, Julia tells the reader to consult a larger coo More...
The book assumes the reader knows his/her way around a stove and has a reasonably furnished kitchen. What is does is present a 'master receipe' and several different ways to change it to be something else that is wonderful. More than once, Julia tells the reader to consult a larger coo More...
Nov 16, 2011
Janet
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Julia Child's own reader's digest version of her cookbooks. Think of them as "reminder recipes." Chocolate ganache is 1 cup heavy cream and 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, BUT if you've made ganache before, you know it needs to be attended to. Also Alton Brown's method for french fries is much better. But a nice little book to have around, and it doesn't take up much shelf space.
Aug 14, 2009
Julianna
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I liked that this book was a summary of basic tips from all her PBS shows. I always wondered when I watched chefs on TV poke meat how they could tell it's doneness. Because of this book I learned exactly how to tell(how it has been cooked rare,med.,well)by poking it with my fingers. A lot of practical tips for the home cook.
Feb 06, 2009
Heather
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Julia is always great, and so funny. I was hoping for more pithy commentary, not just a how-to. Very useful, especially for someone who really likes to cook, but I like my cookbooks (and how-to books, for that matter) to have lots of pictures - and this one doesn't! Otherwise a 4 (if they added lots of glossy photos).
Oct 01, 2009
Trina
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I just love Julia Child, as you read her recipes you can see that she has a REAL love for food. You know that every recipe she wrote she injoyed it. She wouldnt write anything that she wouldnt eat herself. And you dont see that with much cheifs this days. God Bless Julia Child.
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May 15, 2010
Kathleen
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a great book for a beginner cook who wants to learn a few very adaptable recipes and techniques to start out with. if you're an experienced cook and already have a lot of cookbooks, this one probably isn't so useful for you.
Feb 10, 2010
Vickie
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I like this smaller Julia book. After watching "Julie & Julia" I was inspired to make one of her recipes, but I was not ready to Master the Art of French Cooking, so I'm thankful I found this one at the library.
Jul 10, 2011
Elizabeth
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SO useful. So many tips and tricks and explanations for how things work! I love how she writes - it's like you are her friend and in her kitchen (with the wine!).
Aug 14, 2011
Nathaniel
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This book has the best tips for cooking, as well as tips for cleaning and general ease in the kitchen. A necessary addition to any cook's library.
Jan 14, 2012
Nomad
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VERY good for the home cook. All the tips are arranged in a logical manner and the recipies that make the best demonstrations of said tips are immediately following the tips.
I think this is a kitchen essential. No home chef should be without it. It doesn't matter if you want to cook French food or if you would rather skip Ms. Child's other cookbooks. This is all solid cooking advice that defies genre. Well worth the money.
I think this is a kitchen essential. No home chef should be without it. It doesn't matter if you want to cook French food or if you would rather skip Ms. Child's other cookbooks. This is all solid cooking advice that defies genre. Well worth the money.
Dec 07, 2011
April
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Not your traditional "cookbook," I read this like a novel and thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, I truly came away with some great tips as well.
Jul 23, 2009
Nanette
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I don't think that her other cookbooks would have worked for my skill level, but I truly enjoy this little gem!
Oct 05, 2010
Liz
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Julia Child as quick reference - wonderful, if not as in depth as her other books.
Sep 19, 2010
Ashley
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Used mainly around the holidays or for dinner parties. I have a few favorites from here.
Jul 10, 2009
Natashya
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A slim book of kitchen how-to information for people somewhat familiar with cooking already.
Sep 02, 2007
Terry
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This book is not a standard cookbook. It does provide recipes, but is not meant to provide exhaustive collections for every dish and variation. Rather, it emphasizes a way of cooking based on mastery of fundamentals, or as she puts it, a small set of master recipes. Using a master recipe as the basis, one can eventually developing a familiarity and ease with technique for whole classes dishes derived from the master recipe, leading perhaps to improvisation and certainly improvement of one's cook
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Sep 11, 2010
Cara
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Kind of a Julia Child Cliffs Notes. It's light and interesting, with good tips and one or two recipes per topic.
Aug 28, 2010
Ashley
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This is a useful book, although I imagine it was more useful 10 years ago before the internet was so prevalent. It has some basic recipes, but also lots of hints and tips from JC. I think, though, that many of her hints are easily available online now. I got this book for free from Borders when they launched their e-Reader iPhone app, and I'm glad I flipped through it, but unless you cook a lot of fancy/french food, it's probably not worth paying a lot of money for.
Dec 28, 2009
Meryl
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This is like the cliff notes version of "Mastering the Art"--a perfect little starter cookbook.
Aug 30, 2011
Tabitha
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While reading other books on French lifestyles, I became ...enamored of the food described...of the meals described in several different books...American fare ... and American ... processes...seem to me to be so sadly lacking...I decided to see what I could learn from the best of all chef's...not to knock Gordon Ramsay...plus, his books are next on my list anyway...
