Celebrating the Midwest Table

Rating:
Summary: A Big Fan!
Review: As a Midwesterner from 9 months of age, (and I've been around more than the author's 35 years living in the Chicago area) I was really excited when I saw this title. Then I started reading the Introduction. It's obvious this author is not a native Midwesterner. She states in this introduction "Consider this midday winter meal of 125 years ago, a time of demanding physical labor: raw oysters, roast chicken, mashed potatoes, stewed sweet potatoes, macaroni, turnips, squash or pumpkin pie, eggless plum pudding, plum preserves, assorted fruit, and coffee." Hmmm, I don't know any Midwest farmer who would have had access to raw oysters for a midday meal. A special meal maybe, but NOT a typical midday meal. And - isn't Cod a salt water fish? It just sort of spoiled my faith in the recipies. Plus she had recipies for lamb. Yikes, the only reason I grew up having lamb was my parents were from the New York City area. None of my friends had it. It was very rare that my mother could find it in the stores. (And even then it was more likely to be mutton, which is why most Midwesterners don't like lamb.)

Rating:
Summary: Obviously not a Midwestern Native
Review: As a Midwesterner from 9 months of age, (and I've been around more than the author's 35 years living in the Chicago area) I was really excited when I saw this title. Then I started reading the Introduction. It's obvious this author is not a native Midwesterner. She states in this introduction "Consider this midday winter meal of 125 years ago, a time of demanding physical labor: raw oysters, roast chicken, mashed potatoes, stewed sweet potatoes, macaroni, turnips, squash or pumpkin pie, eggless plum pudding, plum preserves, assorted fruit, and coffee." Hmmm, I don't know any Midwest farmer who would have had access to raw oysters for a midday meal. A special meal maybe, but NOT a typical midday meal. And - isn't Cod a salt water fish? It just sort of spoiled my faith in the recipies. Plus she had recipies for lamb. Yikes, the only reason I grew up having lamb was my parents were from the New York City area. None of my friends had it. It was very rare that my mother could find it in the stores. (And even then it was more likely to be mutton, which is why most Midwesterners don't like lamb.)

Rating:
Summary: A Big Fan!
Review: This is an unbelievable book!! The recipes are so easy and always turn out perfectly. They are also so interesting - taking something simple and making them incredible! The brisket and tenderloin are big favorites in my house. I have been a big fan of Abby Mandel's for years. Nothing in this book is difficult - it makes cooking so much fun!!!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful recipes that are extremely well tested.
Review: This is my favorite cookbook (and I have hundreds) and one I have often given as a gift. All the recipients agree, that the book is loaded with terrific recipes that work every time. Her previous book, "More Taste Than Time" (Simon and Shuster, 1988) is also a winner, but unfortunately out of print. If you can find it-buy it. You won't be disappointed.