From the legendary editor of some of the world’s greatest cooks—including Julia Child and James Beard—a passionate and practical ...
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Feb 01, 2011
Kathryn
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The recipes in this gem of a cookbook range from simple to more complex and all are flexible. I really like how Jones offers variations on many recipes. They provide the ability to cook a variety of meals easily. I'm not someone who wants to eat the same thing for four or six days and Jones offers a number of ways to start with one recipe and use the leftovers in other, more different, recipes. Not all of the recipes are like that of course, some recipes do stand alone. I would describe the s
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Jan 19, 2010
Margo
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I have never enjoyed reading a cookbook like I have enjoyed this one. The text is written with great simplicity, sincerity, and directness. I felt as if I were having a conversation with Judith Jones, Julia Child's editor, as I read about and then cooked and ate her creations.
This type of book is long overdue. The portions are sized right for one and easily increased for two--it is so much easier to increase a tiny bit than to try to decrease a recipe for 4 or 6 to one. I have especi More...
This type of book is long overdue. The portions are sized right for one and easily increased for two--it is so much easier to increase a tiny bit than to try to decrease a recipe for 4 or 6 to one. I have especi More...
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Nov 02, 2009
Joel
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So I bought this on a whim and totally love it. Jones is the discoverer and publisher of Julia Child and many other chefs who have transformed cooking in America. I love the layout, the personable tone, the occasional beautiful pictures. It is interesting reading and not just as a cookbook. But the best aspect is her ability to move a recipe through several incarnations: a pork tenderloin's leftovers morph into a Red Flannel Pork Hash, Broiled Lamb Chop becomes Lamb and Lentils, and the goal is
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Sep 18, 2011
Kristi
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Cooking for one can bring many challenges but I found the information in this book extremely helpful. I love the author's philosophy of why not make a fantastic meal for yourself. You deserve it. I have started feeling this way lately. Eating frozen meals is just crap and it really is easier than you think to cook for yourself if needed.
The areas of this book that I benefited from were the essential equipment and what to have in your freezer and refrigerator. These tools and e More...
The areas of this book that I benefited from were the essential equipment and what to have in your freezer and refrigerator. These tools and e More...
Jan 10, 2011
Judy
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If you enjoy reading cookbooks for the joy of reading cookbooks, this is a good one to curl up with. The photography is terrific as are the recipes. However, as a practical guide to cook for one it was lost on me. Granted shad roe with cream sauce was in the specials category, but really! I don't cook shad roe for more than one. I felt the idea behind the book was to be applauded. Cooking for one person is often no fun. Especially when you are use to cooking for a family and if you cook j
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Jul 29, 2011
This is a lovely book--it has two uses. The first is that the author, who clearly loves to cook, talks about losing her husband, and how she thought she would never cook again, or at least not enjoy it because it was so wrapped up in their relationship, and discovering that indeed it was possible to do that--and to do it with elan--not just to cut recipes in a quarter and go forward, but to actually cook as if treating yourself to something. She is the woman who edited the Julia Child cookbook
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Feb 03, 2010
Diane
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I love cookbooks and I particularly enjoy cookbooks where the author adds comments that make me feel like he or she is in the kitchen talking to me about a dish we're about to make together. Judith Jones has created that with her Pleasures of Cooking for One. I tried three of her recipes the very first week I bought the book. Enjoyable and easy to make, they looked great on the plate and were totally yummy. I have since made the Small Roast Pork Tenderloin for more than one person, to rave re
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Feb 22, 2011
Andrea
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This book has just joined my “must own” listing. Judith Jones may be best known for editing an author a few folks outside the culinary world might have heard of (Um, JULIA CHILD?!), but her own passion for good food shines through in this book. Written after the loss of her husband, this book celebrates the rights of the single individual to enjoy incredible, delicious food. Sprinkled amidst the recipes are all sorts of helpful hints for getting multiple meals out of each recipe, using leftov
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Dec 13, 2010
Bevin
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I'm not sure who Judith Jones is cooking for, but it sure isn't me. Her penchent for ofal (gizzards, liver, etc) really turns me off. I know many people like it, but is that really what you want to cook at home alone? I was hoping for pared down dishes of standards and how to make many meals out of one. There is nothing like that in the book.
I first added this to my list about a year ago and have since become vegetarian. There are NO vegetarian dishes in this book. Even the veggie s More...
I first added this to my list about a year ago and have since become vegetarian. There are NO vegetarian dishes in this book. Even the veggie s More...
Aug 04, 2010
Patricia
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I liked that the focus on the cookbook is using your leftovers in two or three delicious meals. I've found this method in cookbooks with "normal sized" portions, but this was the first time I've seen it in a "cooking for one" cookbook. I enjoyed Judith Jones chatty tone and her discussion of techniques and equipment used in cooking for one. This cookbook seems to me to be very French inspired, which is fine with me, but might not be good for some. Overall, it was good enough
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May 09, 2010
penny
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When cooking for one or even for two I find I struggle to adapt most recipes to fit our needs without either being buried in leftovers or scrounging around looking for something more just an hour later. I am quite saddened that the most simple of solutions to help make sure what I cook when for less than the standard four servings stared me in the face for years and I never thought to try it. When doubling a recipe I instinctively pull out a larger pot -- when do I not do this when I halve? Hope
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Nov 01, 2011
Gianna
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I read the whole thing in one sitting. Perhaps I shouldn't rate it until I've actually tried some of the recipes, but I have to give points to the fact that I marked about 20 pages with post-its as I read, to come back to later. Besides the recipes, she includes practical tips for cooking for just yourself, including how to simplify cleanup, how to stretch the same item over several meals without getting tired of it, and general information such as a spread on how to roast various vegetables.
Oct 07, 2011
Rhonda
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I will carry this book with me wherever I go. Well, not literally, but it won't be left behind to go to Lifeline or St Vinnies if I move. It is elegant. Everytime I feel sorry for myself or eat cheese on toast for dinner I get out the fine china and linen because this book has shown me that I am worth the trouble. It sits on my coffee table not on my cookbook shelf, because it is more about life than cooking. Love it!
Dec 22, 2009
Zora
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Wonderfully put-together book, with most recipes followed by suggestions for reuse or adaptation of leftovers. And Jones doesn't do hum-drum food just to get by--everything seems to have a little extra-lovely detail that makes you want to cook it immediately. The attitude of this book--that meals are something to be treasured and enjoyed--is one that everyone (not just lone cooks) should appreciate.
May 15, 2011
February
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If I were single and living in New York, this might be my cooking bible. Unfortunately, I cook for two, and my husband's idea of good food clash irrepairably with Jones's. It's also hard to spend time standing at the stove when I stand all day at work. Don't let that stop you--if you're interested in spending a little bit of time and producing something delicious, this is an excellent book.
Mar 05, 2010
bookczuk
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Marvelous little book. My husband asked why I wanted to read a cookbook by a woman whose husband had died, implying her cooking may have played a role in it. (He also is the one who looked at the cover of Pat Conroy's cookbook and said, "Would you want to eat food that made you look like that?")
So I googled Evan Jones' obituary. He died at age 80, from complications after a fall in his New York apartment.
End of discussion.
So I googled Evan Jones' obituary. He died at age 80, from complications after a fall in his New York apartment.
End of discussion.
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May 22, 2010
Cindy
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One is always "currently reading" a cookbook. I find this one a joy as I cook for myself. Most of these are easily for 2 meals, which is good as I take something to work for lunch every day.
The pictures are food porn for those of us who love to cook. And yes, I found myself reading it out loud and just to hear the food..:) Yes, my inner cooking geek is out..
The pictures are food porn for those of us who love to cook. And yes, I found myself reading it out loud and just to hear the food..:) Yes, my inner cooking geek is out..
Jan 14, 2010
I love the idea of enjoying cooking for one, Judith Jones brought up some great reasons to do that very thing on today's Martha show. It's economical, healthy for body and mind. She is 85 yrs. old and still working and vibrant. This is a great book for a gift for those who live alone. "I believe very much in honoring yourself with a good dinner" Judith Jones.
Nov 04, 2011
MaryAnn
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After watching Julie & Julia last spring I wanted to go home and cook through Julia Child's cookbook. I checked it out from the library and was first overwhelmed by the textbook-like nature of it and second overwhelmed by the large amounts of food that each recipe makes. This book by Judith Jones, the editor of most of Julia Child's cookbooks, is simplified French cuisine scaled for one - perfect for me. My favorite recipe I've tried so far is the crepes. I love flipping them over by flickin
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Feb 19, 2010
Odoublegood
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this is also a fine book about cooking for two; it would be good for a beginning cook, with its simple recipies and advice about stocking a beginner's kitchen in a bare-bones way, with ingredients, pots, utensils; great ideas about leftovers; very New England-y (popovers, plenty of parsnips, e.g.); thanks you, library, for some fresh ideas
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Apr 26, 2011
Darcy
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I was excited to take a look at this one because cooking for myself is sometimes something that I struggle with. I either have enough to feed an army or enough to feed the world. Sadly, for me, most of the recipes were to "fancy" and not something that I would cook. This one was much better in theory rather than actuality.
Nov 05, 2011
Sonia
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This book is very appealing - lovely photography and nice, clean writing. Being very disorganized about my shopping and cooking, I don't know how often I'll turn to the recipes here, but I love the celebration of making real, deliberate meals for oneself. Many thanks to Sophie!
Apr 25, 2010
Greg
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A partly intimate look at cooking alone by the author who is also a widow. What I would consider an old-school cookbook with very straightforward old fashioned recipes, nothing fancy but lots of potential to adjust as you see fit. Plus well written directions done in a conversational tone that make you feel like you're there with the author while she's cooking.
Jul 12, 2010
Angela
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Unfortunately this is all about weird foo-foo food no one really makes or eats--much less for one. The author is obviously a renowned food writer/chef and writes like a snobby foodie. Nice photos but not one single recipe i wanted to try!
Jan 31, 2010
Barbara
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A nice little book; probably wonderful for those who are beginning to cook for an individual. As one who has cooked for myself for more than 30 years, it's not "new" but I did copy out three simple recipes--e.g., for how to fix soft-shelled crabs.
Jan 31, 2010
K
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Since I dont' eat meat a lot of this book is off limits for me. However the photos are lovely, there are so many helpful tips, and the recipes are great. This is a beautiful little book by a legendary maven of cookery
Mar 06, 2010
Jensownzoo
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Some sample recipes I copied from this book.
Fennel, Apple, and Walnut Salad
Cream Sauce
Baked Polenta with Vegetables
Lentil Salad with Roasted Garlic
Apple Maple Bread Pudding
Fennel, Apple, and Walnut Salad
Cream Sauce
Baked Polenta with Vegetables
Lentil Salad with Roasted Garlic
Apple Maple Bread Pudding
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Jan 28, 2011
Emily
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Great concept, snobby but not unpleasant tone. More emphasis than I would like on organ meats. The great concept is planning meals for one person that allow for interesting and yummy leftovers instead of wasting food.
Jan 18, 2010
Mandy
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Not vegitarian friendly at all...although I suddenly have a yen for mussels, my non-vegitarian weakness.
