Rating: 
Summary: A staple in my kitchen
Review: I own dozens of cookbooks, but this is the most used. I originally thought that most of the recipes were too "fancy", but several (chicken monterrey, lemon chicken, etc.) seem to make pretty regular appearances in our "not-so-fancy" house. I admit that even as a regular user of this cookbook, I rarely have everything on hand to make a dish as most require fresh ingredients. On a whiny day, I'd also complain that a number of the recipes involve a little more chopping and preparation than I'd like. Having said that, the recipes are easy to follow -- you're pretty safe trying one for the first time even when you have company coming. I think that this should be a staple in every kitchen!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was disappointed by this cookbook. I know many people who swear by it, but I have found the recipes uninspiring. Many of the recipes sound interesting, but when I've tried them they have mostly turned out unappealing and flavorless. There are better books out there.
Rating:
Summary: good for special occasions
Review: I was so glad to see that this book is still in print and availabe NEW. Our son is just beginning a love affair with cooking and I couldn't think of a better book for him to start out with. We owned a Deli for 7 years and this book was one of our inspirations. The cover of our old book is ripped and the pages are dog-eared and worn and covered with splatters here and there. That is the sign of a good cookbook! Even though this cookbook is aged, it has, like fine wine, aged well! If it were on your shelf, I'm sure it would end up looking like ours.
Rating:
Summary: Something Old, Something New
Review: I was so glad to see that this book is still in print and availabe NEW. Our son is just beginning a love affair with cooking and I couldn't think of a better book for him to start out with. We owned a Deli for 7 years and this book was one of our inspirations. The cover of our old book is ripped and the pages are dog-eared and worn and covered with splatters here and there. That is the sign of a good cookbook! Even though this cookbook is aged, it has, like fine wine, aged well! If it were on your shelf, I'm sure it would end up looking like ours.
Rating: 
Summary: Buy it for the Brioche recipe
Review: I was still a little girl when I saw a xerox copy of this book in my mom's kitchen. I'm now in my late twenties and have finally gotten my own copy of this book. I agree with my mom that everything cooked from this book turns out fabulously. I believe her - she's the best cook I know!The brioche (an egg and butter enriched bread) recipe is fantastic, and it was my first try at making it! A divine cake-bread crumb and luscious mouth feel. The Summer Pasta is also delicious, as with the Eggplant Parmigiana. It's true that this book entails more prep work than other cookbooks, but I've always believed that when you give your most effort to a dish, it always rewards you with something delicious.
Rating:
Summary: Get the Golden Touch with Silver Palate
Review: My roomate, when I first moved to NYC fresh out of college and had this book. It took me a little while before I discovered it, and used it for some very basic recipies. A few years later, I developed a keener interest in cooking and re-discovered this book and its been a staple in my cooking library ever since. Everything in the book is detailed, but not too complicated to achieve the desired results. And the results, from pretty much everything in this book are amazing. So whether you're seasoned (no pun intended) in the kitchen or just getting a bit of grease on your hands, its a teriffic book for people of all skills and skill sets.
Rating:
Summary: My Most Used Cookbook
Review: Of my massive collection of cookbooks, this is the one I reachfor the most often when I want to make an old-favorite (e.g. Chili for a Crowd, Pasta Puttanesca, Chicken Marbella, or even a pie crust) or if I'm looking for a new dish. The comments and suggestions in the inner sidebars are always insightful and useful. I love this cookbook, and can't believe I've waited so long to get the New Basics to go along with it...
Rating:
Summary: Had Memorable Kitchen Disaster Making Cassoulet
Review: So I spent all weekend and $$$ making the Cassoulet from this cookbook. When I got done, my mother-in-law commented that it tasted like "pablum". She was being charitable. It was awful. I haven't made too many more recipes from the book - this one was enough to scare me away.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent illustrations make gourmet cookbook for the eye
Review: The recipes are fine -- don't get me wrong. You'll enjoy both browsing and cooking from The Silver Palate. But as a connoisseur of cookbooks, to my eye what makes this cookbook unusual is its superb watercolors.
These are more than just watercolor sketches -- they are full portraits of food or surprising food vessels -- the 4-headed dragon bowl, for instance, although I'm not sure exactly WHAT those animals are. Hydra heads, maybe? Each portrait is taken from a striking Italian original.
This book should be listed under art books as well as cookbooks!
Rating:
Summary: The Cookie Basket contains OUTSTANDING recipes
Review: The recipes in this book seem too simple to be taste really great but they do! I am working my way through 'The Cookie Basket' chapter and I have yet to find a recipe that did not have people seeking me out at parties to find out how to get the recipe. These are real pleasers.
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