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1st out of 14 books
—
19 voters
The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook
by
Deb Perelman
The long-awaited cookbook by Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen—home cook, mom, photographer, and celebrated food blogger.
Deb Perelman loves to cook. It’s as simple as that. She isn’t a chef or a restaurant owner—she’s never even waitressed. Cooking in her tiny Manhattan kitchen was, at least at first, for special occasions—and, too often, an unnecessarily daunting venture. D...more
Deb Perelman loves to cook. It’s as simple as that. She isn’t a chef or a restaurant owner—she’s never even waitressed. Cooking in her tiny Manhattan kitchen was, at least at first, for special occasions—and, too often, an unnecessarily daunting venture. D...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
October 30th 2012
by Knopf
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This is currently becoming one of my favorite cookbooks that I own. Everything I have tried (which is a lot) from this cookbook has been fantastic and solid and quite delicious. Her little "stories" before each recipe are entertaining and a joy to read. The pictures are perfect, and each recipe is written well, tested, and easy to follow. A great, great book.
5 likes · like · see review
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Completely drool-worthy. Good clear instructions. Wonderful large color photos. Off to make beer braised short ribs right this second. Don't try and stop me.
4 likes · like · see review
I am giving this cookbook 5 stars not only because it was an excellent cookbook with easy directions and colorfully detailed pictures, but because it made me want to attempt to bake again! I will admit right now that although I do enjoy cooking, a baker I am not, and it is only once a year that I will attempt to bake even a dozen cookies. This book, however, changed all of that.
I first requested this book (I must mention that I received this wonderful cookbook through a goodreads giveaways conte...more
I first requested this book (I must mention that I received this wonderful cookbook through a goodreads giveaways conte...more
Love this! This book makes me laugh, makes me want to cook and makes me happy. Beautiful photography and great writing. So glad I'll be meeting the author at a signing event later this month!
Love this cookbook. I want to make the emmentaler on rye with sweet and sour red onions right now! It looks like French onion soup in sandwich form!
2 likes · like · see review
What a lovely cookbook, full of delicious recipes that for the most part, aren't too daunting. There are headnotes and color photos for every recipe, and the book is divided into several sections - including two for mains, meat and veggie - and she has some great info at the start of the book and in the appendix. At a glance you might think that these recipes would call for high-end ingredients, but that's not necessarily the case, and this comes across. The author has the same "real life" type...more
Jan 29, 2013
Kathleen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone who cooks.
Shelves:
food_and_cooking
Okay, I've not read the whole book yet. I've looked at it several times on the shelves, and it's perfectly lovely. And I've read so much of Deb Perelman's blog and followed so many of her recipes, I'm sure I've *almost* read the entire book! I found her blog years ago when searching something like "great food tiny kitchen," and up popped SmittenKitchen.com. Deb's recipes are excellent, and I have never been disappointed. Oh, my, her mom's apple cake, the shakshuka, the curried lentils and sweet...more
Deb Perelman is the creator of The Smitten Kitchen, a fabulous blog on food and her cooking shenanigans in New York City. This blog (and now book are fabulous if you like pictures of different steps during food prep. Like The Pioneer Woman, Perelman is also a photographer. The pictures in this book are fantastic and the recipes are delicious. I made the Cheddar Swirl Buns (like a savory cinnamon roll), the Apricot Breakfast Crisp (I made mine with peaches and it turned out fine), and I plan on m...more
I started going to smittenkitchen.com about two years ago because I needed a cake recipe. I found the chocolate peanut butter cake recipe (the softest, deepest chocolate cake combined with a sweet, cream cheese peanut butter frosting and topped with a semi-sweet (or dark chocolate) ganache) and I was hesitant to attempt this cake because it looked difficult. However, Perelman makes even the most difficult things wildly simple. She never leaves out important details nor does she neglect to tell y...more
As usual, Deb Perelman knocks it out of the park. As a fellow tiny-kitchen-owner (hers is still at least twice the size of mine), I love that she likes to cut down on dishes and how much space a recipe requires.
I've tried several of the recipes within the past couple weeks -- the standout so far is the Harvest Roast Chicken with Grapes, Olives, and Rosemary, a one-skillet wonder that made my SO exclaim, "Holy crap, that's flavorful...let's put that in the rotation." (Translation: "feel free to c...more
I've tried several of the recipes within the past couple weeks -- the standout so far is the Harvest Roast Chicken with Grapes, Olives, and Rosemary, a one-skillet wonder that made my SO exclaim, "Holy crap, that's flavorful...let's put that in the rotation." (Translation: "feel free to c...more
Award-winning food blogger Deb Perelman shares her fun & fabulous food and photos in "The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook". Using her natural cooking intuition, ceaseless curiosity, and expansive imagination, the author has created a wonderfully inviting culinary world in the space of her tiny kitchen. Sharing food preparation tips, and stories and photos for each recipe, Deb Perelman adds her own flair to user-friendly ingredients. While I found much to enjoy in each chapter of the book, the "Brea...more
I have been following the smitten kitchen blog for years and have made several of Deb Perelman's recipes, a few of which have become staples in our house—mushroom bourguignon, roast chicken with dijon sauce, lemony zucchini goat cheese pizza—and I can't wait to dig in to even more here in her cookbook. It is about two-thirds savory, one-third sweets, and all of it looks absolutely delicious. Perelman has a warmth and familiarity in her communication, and a way of making you feel welcome in her w...more
The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook is one of the best blog-to-book products I've encountered. Presented in Perelman’s girlfriend-in-the-kitch voice, with her drool-inducing photography, each recipe is the simplest, tastiest, best possible version of itself. Perelman says it herself: “I am picky as all hell.” Her obsessive need to test different techniques, ingredients, and even the number of bowls used in each recipe is a serious win for her readers, because what could be a greater asset in a cookbook...more
The only reason I did not give this cookbook four stars is because it had fewer recipes (that I consider desirable) than I expected. 90% of the time when I read Ms. Perelman's website I say, oh, I want to make that and that and that. Turns out though, her palatte is far more diverse than mine so a lot of the recipes just did not appeal to me. I also had a spot of trouble with two of the cookie recipes. They turned out fine ultimately, but I had small issues with the process.
Having said that, if...more
Having said that, if...more
I picked up the cookbook for the pictures.My instagram feed is full of food pics. But I was a little intimidated at first. It seemed like there were lots of steps and I'm a 3 ingredient & 5 step gal...however after reading the introduction and perusing the recipes, I was intrigued.
I had presumed this book would be best suited for my friends who "really cook." Not me. But I was wrong. She had be at rasberry ricotta scones and brought it home with shaved asparagus pizza and sphaghetti squash...more
I had presumed this book would be best suited for my friends who "really cook." Not me. But I was wrong. She had be at rasberry ricotta scones and brought it home with shaved asparagus pizza and sphaghetti squash...more
I've been hitting up the Smitten Kitchen website for years, and with one failure that was my own fault every single thing has turned out perfectly. PERFECTLY. When I heard about the actual real print cookbook I got very excited, and was super stoked to get it for Bozic.
The cookbook is better than I expected.
The recipes are clear and concise, very easy to understand and follow. They're also all painstakingly tested which is fabulous and sets this cookbook apart from some "professional" cookbooks...more
The cookbook is better than I expected.
The recipes are clear and concise, very easy to understand and follow. They're also all painstakingly tested which is fabulous and sets this cookbook apart from some "professional" cookbooks...more
I like to putter in the kitchen. I also like to putter on the computer. And thus, I found the Smitten Kitchen blog. It has been a favorite place to visit since the early days of the blog. Deb's perspective on life, small NYC kitchens, motherhood, and above all good food prepared with good ingredients is wonderful. Even though I've read the blog for years, and cooked many a meal either based on or inspired by one of her posts, and had many of her recipes in my overflowing file and cooking reperto...more
I wouldn't ordinarily review a cookbook on goodreads, since generally they're collections of ingredients and instructions, and what really matters is how well the recipes work. But this cookbook is so beautifully put together that I had to acknowledge it. Because yes, the recipes are fabulous--full of vegetables, not fussy but fancy enough for a dinner party, with recipes that will satisfy omnivores to vegans. And every single recipe I've tried has turned out fabulously. All this would be enough...more
I love Deb so much that, though I've yet to cook a single thing from this cookbook, I have utter faith in her. (I've cooked things from her website, so this faith is not the evidence of things not seen in the strictest sense of the term, and definitely falls more into the substance of things hoped for side of life.) Also, I do not know the woman but I call her Deb in my head, because in my heard we are totally future besties and she's going to invite me to lunch Any Day Now (I'll bring the cockt...more
This book made me wish there was a half star option on goodreads because it deserved 4.5 stars. The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook is beautifully designed. The pictures are gorgeous and the layout is friendly.
I enjoyed reading Deb's stories and helpful cooking tips. She achieved great balance in terms of letting the reader get to know her through her stories without turning the cookbook into a memoir.
The description gives the impression that this cookbook is friendly for the average home cook and cl...more
I enjoyed reading Deb's stories and helpful cooking tips. She achieved great balance in terms of letting the reader get to know her through her stories without turning the cookbook into a memoir.
The description gives the impression that this cookbook is friendly for the average home cook and cl...more
I'm afraid I'm very overdue at the library with this book; I just didn't want to give it back. I've been waiting a looooooooooooooong time for this book to come out (what, Jane, the blog isn't enough for you??), and it's everything I hoped it would be. I only knocked off one star because I'm a bitter vegetarian for whom an entire chapter is off-limits, although that's hardly Deb's fault.
Things I made:
-Butternut squash and caramelized onion galette: OM NOM NOM. Also, my butter allowance for life...more
Things I made:
-Butternut squash and caramelized onion galette: OM NOM NOM. Also, my butter allowance for life...more
It’s always interesting to review a cookbook. One never really stops reading a cookbook as there are always recipes to try and others to alter. What’s fun about this book is the origin of the recipe. There recipes named after her mother-in-law but she then plainly states that this isn’t it. She had to reverse-engineer the recipe from taste. That’s dedication to cooking. It’s these funny personal stories along with the recipes that make the book so entertaining.
The recipes are all very approacha...more
The recipes are all very approacha...more
Read my full review @ http://bit.ly/VPTue3
My rating: 2.5 Stars
My opinion: First, I must state that the photography in this book was gorgeous! On that note, although the recipes in this book looked good, I thought the better chunk of the recipes were a bit more "upscale" and used for entertaining purposes versus daily dinner recipes. I believe I targeted 10-15 of the recipes for copying. This was out of approximately 100 recipes.
The notes and tips section in this book are a must. She includes som...more
My rating: 2.5 Stars
My opinion: First, I must state that the photography in this book was gorgeous! On that note, although the recipes in this book looked good, I thought the better chunk of the recipes were a bit more "upscale" and used for entertaining purposes versus daily dinner recipes. I believe I targeted 10-15 of the recipes for copying. This was out of approximately 100 recipes.
The notes and tips section in this book are a must. She includes som...more
Funny, creative, beautiful and original cookbook. I cannot praise highly enough this self-taught, humble blogger-turned-author with a kitchen smaller than my powder room.
Some of my favorites are not in any other collection of recipes I own, and I have 2 full bookshelves of cookbooks:
Blue cheese and black pepper gougères
Maple bacon biscuits
Sesame turkey meatballs with chickpea salad
Some recipes are so simple they don't require heat (zucchini ribbons with almond pesto; sugar snaps and cabbage with...more
Some of my favorites are not in any other collection of recipes I own, and I have 2 full bookshelves of cookbooks:
Blue cheese and black pepper gougères
Maple bacon biscuits
Sesame turkey meatballs with chickpea salad
Some recipes are so simple they don't require heat (zucchini ribbons with almond pesto; sugar snaps and cabbage with...more
Dec 27, 2012
Elizabeth
marked it as to-read
At the heart of Smitten Kitchen's success (both as book and blog) is a paradox: Deb Perelman is fussy about making good things simply. Be careful to get the right consistency in the dough, but don't bother making ridges on the gnocchi. Just throw the whole lemon in the Cuisinart for the lemon bars (but be sure you pick out the pits first!) Is there any reason you can't take out the beef and make a superfast portobello Mushroom Bourguignon? No, there is not, but make sure your mushrooms squeak i...more
This cookbook is based on the Smitten Kitchen blog, which everyone with even a passing interest in cooking or baking should take a look at.
I want to make EVERY meal in this cookbook. So far though, I've only managed one: the brown butter rice crispie cakes. Hoping to try the brioches soon, and I dream of a day I'm confident enough to try making the marshmallow cake, which seems to be a book exclusive recipe.
Smitten Kitchen leans very strongly towards sweet meals (the breakfast section includes m...more
I want to make EVERY meal in this cookbook. So far though, I've only managed one: the brown butter rice crispie cakes. Hoping to try the brioches soon, and I dream of a day I'm confident enough to try making the marshmallow cake, which seems to be a book exclusive recipe.
Smitten Kitchen leans very strongly towards sweet meals (the breakfast section includes m...more
Her writing style is very engaging and I was very encouraged that such wonderful things could be made in a tiny kitchen.
Some of these were a little too complicated for everyday meals around my house, but I was fascinated to see gourmet twists on Jewish traditional favorites like challah and hamantaschen (with rhubarb!), which I've only ever had the way my mom makes them.
And the rice crispy treats with sea salt and brown butter? To die for!
If you want to make quick, simple every day meals, this...more
Some of these were a little too complicated for everyday meals around my house, but I was fascinated to see gourmet twists on Jewish traditional favorites like challah and hamantaschen (with rhubarb!), which I've only ever had the way my mom makes them.
And the rice crispy treats with sea salt and brown butter? To die for!
If you want to make quick, simple every day meals, this...more
I guess Pereleman has a blog about making simple but good food in a tiny kitchen. I sticky-noted some recipes (avocado tartine, browned butter Krisipie treats, popcorn cookies), but most of the recipes seem like something my family would never eat (corn risotto-stuffed poblano peppers, anyone? Butternut and carmelized onion galette?) I might, if I were feeling adventurous, order something like this at a restaurant, but am not going to make it myself. Nosiree Bob.
Perleman is chatty - a little too...more
Perleman is chatty - a little too...more
I was looking forward to this recipe book for a while, having read the Smitten Kitchen blog and used a few of the recipes there. The hold list in the hundreds at the Library leads me to believe I'm not alone - foodies love Perelman's original recipes. She is a wonderful creator of new things, which is hard enough to find in the food world. Many professional chefs don't share her sense of creativity or her technical expertise.
The book loses a star to the blog-post like biographical writing that a...more
The book loses a star to the blog-post like biographical writing that a...more
Smitten Kitchen has been my favorite food blog since I began cooking and following them and its always the first place I check for recipes. Following the journey to cookbook on Deb's blog just made finally buying the book that much sweeter. She mentioned on her blog once that she's one of those people who sit in bed and will read a cookbook cover to cover and I squealed because I do that too and that's most definitely what happened the night I got the book. Everything about it is wonderful and j...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Book Giveaways: SMITTEN KITCHEN COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY | 1 | 7 | Nov 28, 2012 09:48am |
Deb Perelman is a self-taught home cook and photographer; and the creator of SmittenKitchen.com, an award-winning blog with a focus on stepped-up home cooking through unfussy ingredients. In previous iterations of her so-called career, she’s been a record store shift supervisor, a scrawler of “happy birthday” on bakery cakes, an art therapist, and a technology reporter. She likes her current gig—t...more
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