Best of the Best from Florida Cookbook: Selected Recipes from Florida's Favorite Cookbooks (Best of the Best State Cookbook Series) Review

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(More customer reviews)Now in a brand new second addition, Gwen McKee and Barbara Moseley's Best Of The Best From Florida Cookbook showcases more than 400 recipes drawn from 83 of the best regional recipe cookbooks from Florida-based publishers. For those new to the simply outstanding "Best of the Best" state oriented cookbook series from Quail Ridge Press, be advised that like the other very fine titles in this unique series, Best Of The Best From Florida Cookbook is enhanced with an easy-to-use cross-referenced index, photographs, illustrations, and tidbits about Florida. And for those who collect cookbooks, the special section "Catalog of Contributing Cookbooks" is just the frosting on a very considerable cake. From Sandpipers Onion Tart (The Cruising K.I.S.S. Cookbook II); to Pineapple Boat with Creamy Dill Shrimp Salad (Mastering the Art of Florida Seafood); to Zucchini Fritters (Good Cooking); to Bacon-Wrapped Chicken (Centennial Cookbook); to Molly's Pumpkin Pie Cake (The Woman's Exchange Classic Recipes), Best Of The Best From Florida Cookbook will prove an instant favorite for any personal cookbook collection!

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Since the original Best of the Best from Florida Cookbook was released in 1986, hundreds of wonderful new cookbooks have evolved from Florida's diverse cuisine.So many, in fact, that the editors felt Florida should be revisited with the release of a brand-new cookbook featuring a completely new collection of the most popular recipes from the Sunshine State's leading cookbooks.Best of the Best from Florida offers such delightful recipes as tender, flaky Baked Snapper Fillets, zesty Sandpipers Onion Tart, and refreshing Key Lime Rum Pie.

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The Lady & Sons, Too: A Whole New Batch of Recipes from Savannah Review

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(More customer reviews)This is Paula Deen's second cookbook. It predates her regular Food Network series and may predate her first appearance on any Food Network shows. Unless you look carefully to notice the imprimatur of the giant publisher Random House, you may take this for a local, self-published cookbook done by a church or women's social group to raise money, because that is exactly how the recipes come across. They represent your basic southern meat and potatoes and grits and collard greens menu and succeed very well in filling that niche.
That is almost exactly the same opening paragraph I used for Paula's first book. It is as true of the second book as it was of the first, even down to the plastic amateur binding which makes the Random House imprimatur so surprising.
One of the few differences between the first and the second books is that the second adds more details to how Paula and her sons came to establish their restaurant. Another difference is that only a very few of the recipes are cited as dishes served at Paula's restaurant. A third difference is that Paula strays a bit outside the standard Southern culinary canon. Some distinctly French and Italian standards such as steak au pauvre and pasta Puttanesca sauce have found their way into the book. My humble opinion on the Italian dishes is that a few important details of the proper techniques are missing, but your result from following these recipes will be quite acceptable.
Like the first volume, almost all of the recipes call for a reasonable number of easily obtained ingredients and require a relatively few steps. Many recipes call for prepared or processed ingredients such as canned soups, packaged rice dishes, and Velveeta.
Like the first book, I would open this volume if I wanted to find something to make for a person whose fussy zone excludes things like curry, lemon grass, hosin sauce, wines, and leeks. This would be a fallback source if I wanted something to fit a Pennsylvania Dutch palate, but the Pennsylvania Dutch cookbooks on my shelf fail to inspire.
I would not go to Paula's books for baked goods. I am certain her recipes work. I have tried several and find them too long on butter and eggs and too short on fruit. If you, dear reader are an inexperienced cook, I would put this book to the side and start with a cookbook specifically written to teach techniques such as Madeline Kamman's `The New Making of a Chef'.
If you like basic American Cooking done with the cachet of a Food Network celebrity chef, this is an excellent source at a very reasonable price. Many of the recipes have been featured on Paula's Food Network show, so this book gains value if you are fond of following her show. I would also agree with other reviewers that her first book is preferable to the second, but the second is worthy of her style.

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Paula Deen & Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are a true Paula Deen fan as I am, you will buy this book regardless. I don't think this one is near as good as her other cookbooks. There are alot of recipes provided by friends and peers, and a few repeats from previous cookbooks. And seems like several are more exotic than her normal downhome type of things. I always liked Paula's older recipes cause chances are you already had most of the ingredients already in the pantry. I know it would be hard for her to keep coming up with original recipes given her schedule, but I'd give my eye teeth for another book of solely Paula and her family's recipes of good old southern cooking.
If you watch Paula on tv and are looking for a good sampling of her work, pick up The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook
or Just Desserts and you'll turn to it time and time again. For true die-hard fans who already own the other three, you'll enjoy the intros and witty comments made by Paula throughout the book.

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The Ultimate Southern Living Christmas Book: Over 400 Ways to Celebrate the Season - Southern Living Style Review

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(More customer reviews)Well, it finally was released. I was so excited to see that this book was on the way and I certainly haven't been disappointed. I just love all the decorating ideas in this book - my husband grabbed it and off he went to the store to buy the stuff it recommends. Sure was beautiful when he was done. This book makes decorating elegantly so very beautiful for the holidays, and it just gives you so many nice ideas. But, the RECIPES! Yikes! Better buy those elastic waisted pants because you'll need them after these awesome dishes. You know it's bad when you want to start with the first recipe and just make everything else afterwards. That's how it is with this book. It's really that good! You won't be disappointed with this book. I just love it!

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For the first time, Southern Living has collected in one volume all the inspiration, advice and instruction you need for the best of Christmas decorating, entertaining, and gift giving.Building on 30 years of Southern Living Christmas creativity, you'll find glimmering table settings, beautiful room decorations, charming gifts, and the most filling and fulfilling Christmas meals ever. Southern Living 's signature approach supplies readers with no-fail instructions, tips, and illustrations that, working together, create a Christmas season beyond compare. Whether a guide or a gift, The Ultimate Southern Living Christmas Book is one book that will keep on giving Christmas after Christmas.

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