37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exquisite Recipes and Fun to read, too!, 14 July 2000
By Alex J. Avriette "Alex Avriette" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Alice B.Toklas Cookbook (Cook's Classic Library) (Paperback)
Ive been cooking with _Joy of Cooking_ for a long time now. _Joy_ makes reference to a chapter in this book, "Murder in the Kitchen," as a sort of primer on how to 'murder' a carp in the kitchen before cooking. I decided, on a whim, to buy the book.
I had no idea that having this new cookbook would be so rewarding!
Alice Toklas has some INCREDIBLE recipes in here (Scheherezade Melon being a favorite!), all of which should be tried and enjoyed.
Furthermore, this book contains recipes you simply wont find in other, newer, cookbooks. My girlfriend really summed this book up by suggesting that the recipes in this book are the recipes you know exist -- but are being passed from grandmother to granddaughter; you simply dont get these unless youre in that circle of people.
This cookbook is your way in to exquisite dishes that were prepared for the likes of Gertrude Stein, Hemmingway, Picasso, and Matisse.
That, and where else are you going to find a recipe for Hashish Fudge?
This book has my whole-hearted, overwhelming approval.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A cook is a cook is a cook!, 15 Sep 1998
By Paris fan "thegert" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Alice B.Toklas Cookbook (Cook's Classic Library) (Paperback)
This classic of 20th century food lit appears every few years in new editions and rightfully so. First published in 1954 by Alice B. Toklas, the life partner of Gertrude Stein, established Alice as a writer in her own right and made her world-famous(once again) with her "Haschich Fudge" aka Alice B. Toklas brownies! This recipe, which was not included in the first American edition, but was included in the British edition, does appear in this book. It's more than a cookbook, it's an affectionate remembrance by someone who knew and was known by some of the artistic giants of the 20th century.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended, 28 Jun 2001
By jumpy1 - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Alice B.Toklas Cookbook (Cook's Classic Library) (Paperback)
I believe that this is one of the best French cookbooks of all time. Very old, traditional recipes explained in a way that makes even the more advanced ones seem doable. She also includes recipes from her youth in America and tells how she came across the recipe for Haschich Fudge. The stories interwoven are captivating, especially about the society she and Gertrude Stein kept, and their efforts during WWI as volunteers. In this respect it is a fascinating historical document. It is written as if she is speaking to you, and her speech is very blunt, to the point and quietly humorous. Very enjoyable to read.