Cook Beautiful
Reviews (105)
Lovely to look at - and Stellar Recipes
One of the best cookbooks I own - and I own quite a bit! I honestly was not expecting this cookbook to be this good - I thought it would be more inspirational (the photographs are lovely) but probably not something that I would routinely turn to. I've owned it for two years now and I have to say that I was flat-out wrong - I use this cookbook constantly and have made so many meals from it (not many of the desserts as I am not really a dessert person). One after another they have turned out incredibly well. I also disagree with a previous reviewer who said this doesn't tell you how to make your cooking more beautiful - there are actually many plating and presentation tips given in each recipe. The author's attention to detail, balance of flavors and clear, yet evocative language are just superb.
Haute Cuisine for Dummies. Gorgeous, easy & delicious results.
No lie, Athena Calderone's beauty, talent and grace that transcends the pages of this book are a little grating for someone (like myself) that is usually a little hurried, hair askew and most definitely a little sweaty while working in the kitchen. I am definitely not the epitome of casual grace when whipping up whatever. That being said this book is amazing! Not only are the recipes genuinely delicious, relatively easy (even for a novice) and have gorgeous end results the book makes you want to slow down and enjoy the process of cooking. It's almost more about communicating love and affection through the culinary process than just about "making food". I had it on my nightstand for a week like a novel before placing it on the counter and trying the first recipe and I am so happy about this purchase! (The Mustardy Smashed New Potatoes with Jalapeno Gremolata are now a weekly staple in our house.)
Love It!
My new favorite cookbook! Everything I've made out of it is so delicious. Recipes are not too complicated but are beyond tasty. I'm slowly cooking my way through it! Highly recommend for anyone that likes to cook.
Never thought a cookbook could be so stylish! Loving this book!
I've never been into cooking but this book has opened up a world of flavors and beautiful gatherings for me. Initially I got into Athena's blog for the interior design but her beautifully presented salads hooked me in. I went ahead and bought her cookbook! I wish some of her other desserts and salads made it into her book but I am still in love! I really really appreciate the nice big beautiful photos of each recipe as I like to look at what I am making. Personally, I like recipes that aren't drenched in sauce, but rather, accentuates the ingredients which this cookbook does. There are some clean dishes, and some not so clean that require the butter and sugar. One bad reviewer thought this book would provide more tips on how to make a dish more beautiful, which would have been really cool...but I think that's why she has a great photo of each dish so that people can emulate it. She also offers a swoon tip at the bottom of each recipe with minor tips about the look or taste.. and some fun table styling tips between each section of the book. The recipes aren't perfect by no means (my husband isn't into it as much as me)... but you can adjust the fruit and other ingredients to make it your own!
This is NOT a book about how to make your cooking more beautiful
I thought this would be a book about how to make your meals look more beautiful. I would not normally rate down a book for my own misunderstanding, but the title and blurb makes it sound like this is what this is: "In Cook Beautiful, Athena reveals the secrets to preparing and presenting unforgettable meals... Athena cooks with top chefs, hosts incredible dinners, and designs stunning tablescapes, while emphasizing the importance of balancing the visual elements of each dish with incredible flavors." What this is just a normal recipe book, with the author's own recipes. There are literally no tips on how to make your cooking more beautiful. Truly, her style is beautiful, and I was looking forward to her tips on how to cook beautifully. There is no book or even blog/website on the market with such tips, and someone should write it, since many would love this info. Certainly, no one with gorgeous style and high taste level has written anything like this- the most that is out there are "plating" tips on how to pile food upon each other like you are an expensive restaurant in the 90s, which is extremely cheesy applied at home. There is nothing wrong with just writing another recipe book, but I wish the marketing would be more clear about what this actually is.
It was amazing. You would have thought a professional chef was ...
I made my Christmas dinner from this book -the shaved Brussels sprout salad and the braised short ribs with carrots and celeriac puréed potatoes. It was amazing. You would have thought a professional chef was hiding in the kitchen.
Beautiful Book!!!!!
Truly a wonderful addition to any cook’s library!! Beautiful, inspiring photograph and the most wonderful, delicious recipes. Nothing is difficult or complicated to create or prepare. Just made the Dukkah to sprinkle over my morning bagel layered with tomatoes, arugula and egg. So simple but scrumptious!!!
Delish, easy, modern cooking flare
I received this cookbook as a gift. As I do with all my cookbooks, I tag my favs and start cooking. Every recipe in this book I have made has been superb. I’ve even made ones not tagged (now realizing this is something I should do more often). Her technique has a modern flare and she brings all the tastes buds to the table (no pun intended). Most ingredients are easy to find or I have on hand. Her styling tips are easy and give the dish an extra pizzaz. I made her zucchini salad one night for some girlfriends. They ended up loving it and taking pictures of the recipes. I decided to gift them both the book for their birthdays and they were thrilled. I’ve gifted it two more times in addition. Anyway. I own MANY cookbooks and open them weekly but Athens’s book is my new go to and it will continue to be.
A Beautiful Gift
Gave as a Christmas gift. The recipient was so excited he sat down and starting reading it immediately. Beautiful pictures, lovely quality paper and binding. Its an idea book for plating, not a cookbook. But, there are some recipes.
Get this cookbook
Beautiful easy to follow recipes. Simple elegant and grounded in seasonal availability. Love Athena and love this book more. A must have in every kitchen
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