I purchased this book because I love Jim Denevan's artwork. (http://www.jimdenevan.com) Reading about his other activities on his website, I thought the Outstanding in the Field dinners were a great idea. I was pleased when this book was published.  

The design is nice, the photos are beautiful, and, happily, there are some great recipes in it, ranging from simple-yet-delicious salads through main dishes to comfort food desserts.

Two other features I really like are the one or two page stories about some of the farms that are sprinkled throughout, and the suggested menus in the back so you can pull together...

This book really helped me understand the broad scope of Italian cooking. Loads of great recipes for sauces, pastas, soups, vegetables, desserts, breads... and so much more! The introductory section on Fundamentals is really interesting and brings the techniques and ingredients into focus. 

It's also the kind of book that I can count on to give me a delicious recipe for dinner when I am standing at the pantry shaking my head and saying, "Now what can I make with potatoes, onions, and tomatoes that isn't Indian?" 

Indispensable.

If you've been wary of undertaking pastry of any kind, this book will get you past your hesitation. Rose Levy Bernabaum's recipes are superb, beautifully tested, and never let you down.

I especially appreciate her precise instructions, measurements in several forms, and her explanations of why to do things the way she recommends. 

This book changed my life.

The point of this book is that it's not just about recipes. It's about the dish: what sets great versions apart from just ok versions; why it matters; and how to get great results at home.

You don't just learn to cook his risotto, you learn to cook risotto.

He includes 8 pages on bruschetta covering types of bread, types of oil, how thick the bread should be sliced and why, when to rub the garlic, and several suggested toppings... and the proper pronunciation.

A great learning tool!

See the cracked binding? Notice the stains on every page? This is where we learned to cook many pan-Asian dishes that have become everyday favorites in our kitchen.

In fact, just flipping through to check recipe name spellings, we stumbled across something wonderful to make tonight.

Anyone interested in Asian food should have this book on hand!