56 review for Chez Panisse Menu Cookbook

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Mandie Lowe – Jul 17, 2016

   Published in 1982, the recipes in this book run the risk of being outdated. Luckily Alice Waters was ahead of her time and her book holds up to this day. In her introduction, she describes her history as an eater, someone who appreciated good food from an early age. She did this enviable thing: I bought Elizabeth David’s book, French Country Cooking, and I cooked everything in it, from beginning to end. I've always wanted to cook every recipe in a recipe book, but have yet to begin! One day... My o Published in 1982, the recipes in this book run the risk of being outdated. Luckily Alice Waters was ahead of her time and her book holds up to this day. In her introduction, she describes her history as an eater, someone who appreciated good food from an early age. She did this enviable thing: I bought Elizabeth David’s book, French Country Cooking, and I cooked everything in it, from beginning to end. I've always wanted to cook every recipe in a recipe book, but have yet to begin! One day... My one unbreakable rule has always been to use only the freshest and finest ingredients available. You can hardly go wrong with that rule when it comes to cooking great food. The recipes here are quite simple, if not always in preparation, then in flavours. The ingredients are made to shine. Waters explains how to compose a menu, allowing each course to complement the rest of the dishes, without anything overwhelming the meal. She pairs Roasted Red Peppers with Anchovies with Hard-Cooked Quail Eggs, followed by Roast Pigeon with Purple Grapes and an Almond Tart to finish. Another menu starts with Deep-Fried Squash Blossoms, then a Corn Soup with Roasted Poblano Chiles and finally, Charcoal-Grilled Rockfish with Onion and Tomato Relish. If something sweet is desired, Papayas with Fresh Lime is the suggestion. Nothing here is terribly complicated to make. Waters herself advocates cooking without machines and gadgets. You need good knives and a pestle and mortar to prepare most of the dishes here. Whether this is a book to own depends entirely on the taste of the cook - I would suggest looking at the list of recipes before you decide whether this is something you might enjoy. As for me, I think this is a beautiful cookbook, despite the lack of photographs. The strong love of food that comes across these pages is something any cook can appreciate.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Jennifer – May 05, 2008

   definitely a cook book for the intermediate to advance person. lots of fine dining recipes, and uses a variety of ingredients while keeping to Alice Waters philosophy of fresh ingredients and simple and delicious food. There are no photos in the book, and the book assumes the reader is fluent in most cooking terms. While I did not try any of the recipes, the book gave me some good ideas on flavor profiles and combinations. Alice Waters also includes a sample of some of the menu's she's offered a definitely a cook book for the intermediate to advance person. lots of fine dining recipes, and uses a variety of ingredients while keeping to Alice Waters philosophy of fresh ingredients and simple and delicious food. There are no photos in the book, and the book assumes the reader is fluent in most cooking terms. While I did not try any of the recipes, the book gave me some good ideas on flavor profiles and combinations. Alice Waters also includes a sample of some of the menu's she's offered at the Chez Panisse over the years, including one for "birthday dinner for a triple Scorpio". nice!

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Joanna – Dec 05, 2013

   I actually read this for an essay as part of a history class here at Cal...and I kind of fell in love. I read a lot of other books about Alice Waters, but this was the only primary source. And I will go out into the world now and find this book, so I can buy it, and eat it. (Or at least the things inside).

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Rachel – Sep 23, 2007

   While most home cooks would rarely ever make any of these dishes, I love the simplicity and the way in which Alice Waters uses her love of good, pure, seasonal, organic, sustainable food to create beautiful menus. In my eyes, she can do no wrong and this book is yet another testament to that fact.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   mollie – Apr 29, 2008

   This is at once my dream and the easiest path to a nervous breakdown: to serve a chez panisse menu-inspired meal to several people, at once. eee cooking anxiety! I love to pour over the recipes and notes though.

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Lissa – Nov 14, 2017

   Although interesting, I have to say that I was disappointed. Somehow I thought that Alice Waters focused on healthy foods - these menus are heavy on meats, fat, wine. I found a couple ideas I might be interested in adapting, but overall, it was a waste for me.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Ally – Jan 14, 2014

   Made the cassoulet - best recipe ever. So so so so so so good!!!

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Bree – Oct 31, 2013

   Notes: not really useful to me fancy recipes, no photos, too gourmet

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Tim – Aug 11, 2015

   One of the standard cookbooks which every collector should have.

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Maria – Feb 17, 2008

    This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Stayed up all night reading it from cover to cover; I couldn't stop. Who knew a "cookbook" could be so thrilling???!! Stayed up all night reading it from cover to cover; I couldn't stop. Who knew a "cookbook" could be so thrilling???!!

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Catherine Woodman – Jul 29, 2011

    This is outstanding as a cookbook and as a culture guide to what happened in American Cuisine as a result of Alice Waters

12. 

    5 out of 5

    NL – Aug 05, 2007

    picked off the shelves of http://www.boxcarkitchen.com/ picked off the shelves of http://www.boxcarkitchen.com/

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Karen –

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

    Kimberly Moore –

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

    Katey501 –

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    5 out of 5

    Διονυσιος Κανδιανος –

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

    Jim Bradbury –

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    5 out of 5

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    4 out of 5

    Knitguy –

56. 

    5 out of 5

    Jeannie-marie –