The Frugal Gourmet on Our Immigrant Ancestors: Recipes You Should Have Gotten from Your Grandmother

Rating:
Summary: My grandma's recepies!
Review: I just about cried when I tasted the Hungarian cabbage rolls in this book. I bought this cookbook a few years back and this is my favorite! I never was graced with being able to spend a day with my grandmother in the kitchen learning her recipes that she brought over from Hungary. Jeff has nailed them! I have spent years tasting other peoples Hungarian recepies and none have come close. The secrete is in the paprika gravy!

For anyone who is truly looking for an international cookbook, this is a must! My family and I have had more fun with this cookbook trying all the different recepies from all over the wolrld.

PBS....Bring back Jeff Smith.... Jeff if you are out there...we miss you in Cleveland!

Rating:
Summary: One of his BEST YET!
Review: I refer to this book often! It's a MUST HAVE! Of course I adore Jeff Smith and his assistant Craig. I used to watch them regularly on PBS. In fact, there have been many times while I was reading one of the recipes or the little anecdotes that he has written when describing the recipes and I could practically hear his voice, reading it to me.

The history lessons given in the book just by themselves are awesome! I learned more reading this book (and actually remember it) than I did in high school history! I may not remember everything about the War of 1812 but I can sure tell you about who the Basque people are and what Haggis is!

My three favorite books are:

Better Homes & Gardens "New Cook Book", "The L L Bean Cook Book" and Jeff Smith's "The Frugal Gourmet Immigrant Ancestors". These are the books that I refer to most!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book. Broad ethnic coverage.
Review: If you can't get your kids interested in history or world events, or better yet if they are, this cookbook is just what you're looking for. No lesson about the world at large is complete until we connect with those we hear about. Food is the ultimate form of communication, and this book communicates brilliantly. Every listing of recipes from an ethinic group in this book includes a map of their place of origin, and details of what great events of history shaped them. They also give the dates of major surges of immigration to the US for each group. Help your family develop a hunger for history with this book. You won't regret anything but the pounds (this stuff is delicious!).

Rating:
Summary: A family favorite for over a decade
Review: My family has been using this cookbook for about 15 years, and we all love it. My brother and I started using it as high school kids, and loved experimenting with the enormous range of completely different cuisines represented here. When we left home our parents gave us each copies of this book, and it's still a favorite; now my husband loves the Filipino egg rolls, and the authentic Ethiopian section brings back fond memories of time I spent working there.

Over the years we've tried a high proportion of the recipes, and they've never failed or turned out "wrong." You will need access to some unusual ingredients, but many come in dried forms you could order over the internet if the selection in your town is limited. There's a helpful ingredient dictionary that suggests some substitutions. Any unfamilar techniques are explained so clearly, it's hard for even an inexperienced cook to mess things up. This is a great cookbook for any adventurous eater!

Rating:
Summary: A family favorite for over a decade
Review: My family has been using this cookbook for about 15 years, and we all love it. My brother and I started using it as high school kids, and loved experimenting with the enormous range of completely different cuisines represented here. When we left home our parents gave us each copies of this book, and it's still a favorite; now my husband loves the Filipino egg rolls, and the authentic Ethiopian section brings back fond memories of time I spent working there.

Over the years we've tried a high proportion of the recipes, and they've never failed or turned out "wrong." You will need access to some unusual ingredients, but many come in dried forms you could order over the internet if the selection in your town is limited. There's a helpful ingredient dictionary that suggests some substitutions. Any unfamilar techniques are explained so clearly, it's hard for even an inexperienced cook to mess things up. This is a great cookbook for any adventurous eater!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book. Broad ethnic coverage.
Review: This book is an excellent tool to sample cuisines from numerous cultures. Each of the recipes that I have tried are excellent. Also, there is a background of not only each culture, but often a background of each dish.

The book is not only a good cookbook, but also a fun and educational read.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reference Cookbook!
Review: Title: The Frugal Gourmet on Our Immigrant Ancestors: Recipes You Should Have Gotten from Your Grandmother, Morrow,William & Co

Author: Jeff Smith

From cover to cover, Jeff's new cookbook is a triumph of passion and expertise and, above all, the joy of food.

It's a treasure trove of information for those who enjoy cooking, who are interested in ethnic studies of the U. S., or who long for a deeper connection with their heritage. Smith shares with readers recipes of immigrants who are often overlooked--Basques, Ethiopians, Jamaicans, Latvians, Scottish, Saudi Arabians, and many more. Each chapter begins with an illustration of the people, a map, and a few pages of introduction, including history and food customs. The recipes are clearly written and easy to follow. Hints and equipment lists are thorough. A cookbook bibliography, immigrant history bibliography, source list for unusual ingredients, and an index complete the package. Celebrate America's melting pot with a cookbook that honors our diversity