4 out of 5 stars.
I would like to thank Storey Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this book via Netgalley.
For those who don’t think much of apples, or feel you can’t really make a cook book based on this wonderful fruit – think again!
I loved this book… where to start explaining why?
Let’s see… I loved the history of apples and how they are still changing through hybridisation to this day. It was also good for me to see the different varieties of apples they have in America compared to here in Australia.
The lists at the back of the book that describe each apple variety used, as well as a list of what they’re best for is great. I must admit I’ve never seen apples beyond a breakfast, snack or dessert item and so this book really helped me discover the apples full potential.
Recipe layout clean, easy to read and simple to follow. The way a good cook book should be.
Good serving sizes – I have a family of five and so many modern cook books seem to make servings for only 4. Big positive.
Something I really liked was the fact this book wasn’t coming across as ‘let’s shove apples in any old recipe just so we can get it in this book’. No, they chose recipes that, when you read them you wonder why on earth you’ve not put apple in them before. I mean, there are your common things like crumbles, strudels, fritters and so on… but apple scramble or even turkey scaloppini with apple cider and mushrooms – wow! Those sorts of recipes really jumped off the page at me.
Being really taken by some of the recipes meant I would love to just jump in now and give them a go. Add to that what I saw as a bonus at the end of the book where they go through different ways to preserve apples to ensure you get your best out of them all year round – well done. Exactly the sort of thing I like to see as I would much rather eat local and what’s in season. This book supports such principles so gets a big thumb’s up.
If you’re after a good, all round, cook book to help you and your family enjoy the bounty of apples, I highly recommend the Apple cook book. Yes the desserts and sweets look amazing, but this book has so many more recipes to offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And, yes, it does have a Waldorf salad in it… I was asked if there was one by a friend when they heard I was reading a book of apple recipes. Apparently you can’t have a decent cook book (in their opinion) without a Waldorf salad.
The only reason I didn’t give 5 out of 5 stars is simply because it is suited for the American readers and apples. Not a flaw or a fault, but I just couldn’t bring myself to give it the full 5 stars when I wasn’t too sure if I could get my hands on the right apples to replicate some of the recipes.
Another book I would gladly put in my recipe bookshelf – and that’s the biggest compliment I can give as space in that shelf is very limited so I’m rather choosey as to what gets through!
Until next time,
Janis. XXOO
Janis's Journal 