I'm a bit of a cookbook maven, so have thought about what makes a great cookbook. Keepers gets an "A' on all five of my categories.
First, of course, it has to have well-written recipes for dishes that I would actually make. While Thomas Keller's French Laundry Cookbook is beautiful and descriptive, realistically I'm not making too many recipes from it. Keepers on the other hand, has dozens of recipes that I will or have already made. The instructions are very clear, and the authors provide ideas for modifications. The range of recipes is impressive, and all are written with families in mind. Let me be clear though - these recipes have actual FLAVOR. My 11-year-old daughter actually licked the sauce off the saute pan that I cooked one of the fish recipes in.
Second, a great cookbook is fun to actually read. I don't just want a list of recipes - I can get that by searching epicurious.com. A great cookbook should be just like a novel - you look forward to finding the time to sit down and enjoy. Keepers is just that - it's written so well that you don't want to put it down. I "stole" three hours on a Saturday morning to read the book, and still wasn't finished. The style is casual and somehow "intimate" - like you're chatting with your best friend over coffee (or wine). Not your typical hotshot chef cookbook.
Third, a great cookbook teaches you something. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about cooking. I've had a subscription to Cook's Illustrated since its inception. But I learned a bunch of tricks from Keepers (e.g., "glueing" puff pastry to the pan sides for the gorgeous cover-photo dish - it worked!) and I really appreciated the "10 Kitchen Tools Worth the Space" section (how have I lived without a fish spatula all these years - brilliant!) and the list of Flavor-Boosting Staples (what took me so long to buy miso?)
Fourth, a great cookbook has to have a unique point of view. There's only so many Thai cookbooks one can have, and if I receive another braggadocio-filled celebrity tome, I may slit my throat with a 10-inch Wusthof. Keepers discusses real-life cooking; the pressure of having to get dinner on the table EVERY night, the boredom of the same old thing each week, the fear of messing up. The authors give great solutions for these problems and allow us the permission to be imperfect. Oh, and did I mention the recipes have actual FLAVOR?
Finally, a great cookbook has to be laid out well and look good. Of course the photos have to be tempting, but layout is really important when you're trying to find that chicken thigh or the substitution for creme fraiche. Keepers organizes the information the way "normal" people would look for it (e.g., you can look up recipes for those nights when you have to have staggered meals due to soccer and band practice). And for some reason, I just LOVE the feel of the cover - it's like a muted corduroy and it just makes me smile to pick it up (maybe it was chosen to provide "traction" for cooks with always messy fingers?? :-)
Keepers rates on all my "great cookbooks" requirements and I highly recommend it. You'll cook a little differently after reading it, and your family will thank you. I'm giving a bunch of copies for Christmas.
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Reviews with images
Reliable cookbook!
I love this book. I have made Green Beans with Sun-dried tomato pesto breadcrumbs and while the breadcrumbs didnt stick to the beans like I thought they would, it was delicious. I have made Roasted Cauliflower Dressed up many times, I've attached a picture, and it is a favorite though i do add golden raisins. I made the Raw Beet Salad and it was delicious. Italian Wedding soup was great, as well as Our Favorite Meatloaf. Japanese-Style "Meat and Potatoes" was flavorful and delicious, but next time I will substitute something else for the white potatoes as I dont prefer them. Without fail, this cookbook provides recipes for delicious meals that dont take forever. My favorites are the recipes for vegetables that my non-vegetable loving family scarfs down at mealtimes. The salads are easy and delicious as well. I also appreciate their tips on adding flavor to your recipes and use them when I am cooking other things.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2013
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Top reviews from other countries
Dionne McNeff
My daughter and I love this cookbook
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2014