Good Taste: Simple, Delicious Recipes for Family and Friends
By Jane Green
ISBN: 9780399583377
Author website: http://www.janegreen.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
A lush and gorgeous guide to all things food and entertaining from New York Times bestselling author Jane Green.
Jane Green’s life has always revolved around her kitchen…
… from inviting over friends for an impromptu brunch; to wowing guests with delicious new recipes; to making sure her ever-on-the-move family makes time to sit down together. For Jane, food is enjoyable because of the people surrounding it and the pleasures of hosting and nourishing those she cares about, body and soul.
Now, Jane opens wide the doors of her stunning home to share tips on entertaining, ideas for making any gathering a cozy yet classy affair, and some of her favorite dishes, ranging from tempting hors d’oeuvres like Sweet Corn and Chili Soup, to mouthwatering one-pot mains like Slow-Braised Onion Chicken, to sinfully satisfying desserts like Warm Chocolate and Banana Cake.
This book is Jane’s perfect recipe for making a wonderful life complete with friends, loving family, and moments filled with good food, good times, and, of course, Good Taste. (Googreads)
Review:
Author Jane Green’s Good Taste: Simple, Delicious Recipes for Family and Friends is just that. Although every single recipe looks like you have to slave for hours to accomplish the beautiful masterpieces. She states in the introduction that “This is not a book about food”. Rather in her words a book “…. About gathering family and friends…. and feeding them the kind of food that makes them feel loved.” I would definitely feel loved being fed these delicious works of art. You can feel the love reading this enjoyable book that instructs the reader how to cook wonderful things to delight family and friends. And while the author says this is not a book about food, I am going to refer to it as a “cookbook” for my ease. Included in this beautiful cookbook are Beginnings, Middles and Endings. In other words – starters and soups, main courses, and finally desserts.
I have to admit I had no idea who Jane Green was. I did not know she was a best-selling author of novels or that she regularly contributed to shows like Good Morning America and the Today Show as well as being published online and in print in various publications. Nope, had no idea. All I knew was this was a beautiful cookbook with lots of photos that supposedly had easy and delicious recipes. I was not disappointed. The food looks unbelievable. I read every single page from start to end, every recipe from title to finish. My conclusion – I think I may be able to make most of them and would want to attempt and eat over half of them. Not a common occurrence for me when reading a cookbook.
Jane Green’s writing that accompanies the recipes is enjoyable and witty. They help to bring the recipes to life, to jump off the page. I could almost smell them and definitely wanted to be noshing on them while reading. Her love for food and cooking comes from her “mum” whose recipes were more like suggestions than specific. Her English and beginnings can be seen in her recipes such as scones and Eton Mess, as well as Toad in a Hole. While love of Thai food is represented in Asian Orange Chicken and others. She has included recipes she grew up with, she found and ones she threw together with of all things, leftovers. Nothing is too exotic, ingredients or the item itself, but no one needs to know that little tidbit.
Good Taste: Simple, Delicious Recipes for Family and Friends showcases author Jane Green’s beautiful home, her amazing meals and her tasteful style. A true feast for the eyes as well as the mind. I hope also for my stomach when I attempt some of these recipes. I truly enjoyed each and every page. The author’s writing style is a pleasure to read and almost all of the recipes are easy to understand. Being a novice cook, there were a few things over my head, but I got the gist of it and am pretty sure I can master them. Anyone who loves a well put together cookbook full of mouthwatering photos and easy to accomplish recipes that scream delish will love this book. There are even some healthy dishes included that look anything but. I loved this book that is not a book about food. I loved that it is truly about creating something delicious that tastes of love for family and friends.
