A friend who spent her Peace Corps years in Thailand gave this book to me...she said many of the recipes seemed authentic to what she had experienced, and she found it a good and easy to use cookbook.  I agree with that, for the most part (though I have yet to go to Thailand).  However, I found some of the layout frusterating.  For example, I wanted to make my beloved Pad Thai and I couldn't find it in the index.  Finally, I realized the index is listed by the American descriptions given to the foods, so Pad Thai (Paht Thai...

I love this cookbook, though I gave it only 3 hearts.  Why? Because you have to be prepared to have your interpertive eyes and cooks 6th sense ready.  These are recipes that were likely not written down before this book came together, so some of the porportions are off, or a direction may not seem quite right.  But hey, it's salsa...so interpertations can be done!  I like that each recipe is listed in English and in Spanish. I love salsa, but often stick to my own standard sauce.  This has helped broaden my salsa horizons, and get some creative ideas...

I'm pretty nonplussed by this book.  I had heard SO many good things, but really haven't found any I can use within the pages.  I still have it on my shelf, and still try to cross-reference it, but the truth is...I don't know what the last thing was I actually used from this book.

This is my go-to bible when I'm not sure about something...I use it to check how long I'm supposed to cook wild rice for, or what the ingredients are in banana bread...it's my cooking Bible.  On other's suggestions I've tried How to Cook Everything and just don't like it.  I'm a Joy of Cooking girl.  My parents used to own a deli back in the mid '70's, and this was their go-to book as well.  Maybe it's something I was raised with, so it's like family.  I can't say it actually has everything, but it's a great reference that is...

I think I have the 2nd edition of this book, so my cover looks different and presumably the contents are different as well.  What I like about the book is I can take the surplus from my garden and see what I can make from it.  The book is laid out alphabetically by name of produce (e.g. asparagus, and then there will be cooking tips, storage tips, and 4+ recpies highlighting asparagus).  The book is from the Madison area CSA coalition, and the recipes are from local farmers as well as general cookbooks.  I have used it many times as...

This book is from a local Mendocino Inn, the Joshua Grindle, and is peppered with the inkeepers stories of places to see and things to do around Mendocino.  The recipes are solid, I haven't tried all of them, but the few that I have turned out well.  The layout is a little mysterious...unless I got a bunk copy, each recipe appears to have a space that looks like a photo or drawing should have been placed there, but instead there is just blank space.  At any rate, it's a nice breakfast recipe book that even has a few dinner entrees...

This cookbook has some great recipes.  I haven't tried very many yet, but I do enjoy reading through them for inspiration.  The little stories that are included are especially nice, and the cookbook has a nice layout.  There are not many pictures (typical for Margaret Fox, I believe?) but the recipes are fairly straightforward, so perhaps pictures aren't necessary.  Good for when you're planning a gathering or a special breakfast.  Also makes a nice 'hostess gift.'

I love this cookbook.  I love the Cheese Board.  Maybe I'm biased.  I must say, I tried a couple of the recipes when I lived in Colorado, and they didn't turn out quite right...I blame the elevation (mile high city).  Since returning to California, I've done a few muffin recipes and the sticky bun recipe, with complete success.  For me, it's like pastry porn. MMmmmm....