Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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349 of 361 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Back to Basics - Dining at the Table with Family and Friends., 22 May 2006
`I decided to launch my `Sunday Lunch' campaign because I was shocked to discover how many families never sit down to eat together.....
Eating together is really important to me - in my house we sit down as a family at least once a week to share good food and lots of laughter. This is always my favourite day of the week.
Only 20% of families in the UK sit together on a Sunday to eat lunch - Let's make it 100%. GR'
The main aim of this chunky Gordon Ramsay book is indeed to get family and friends back to Sunday dinner type of dining, but don`t be put off by the title reference to 'Sunday Lunch', because contained within is oodles of `other recipes from the f word` that could be enjoyed any day of the week!
255 high quality matt pages split over menu 25 chapters, and 5 `ways with' sections:-
The Mediterranean Flavours
Spring Greens
Winter Casserole
`5 Ways with Cabbage'
Chicken Chic
Easy Entertaining
Taste Sensation
Classic Sunday Lunch
`5 Ways with Potatoes'
Keep it Simple
Easy Barbecue
Seafood Special
Roast Lamb
Malaysian Curry
`5 Ways with Onions'
Salmon in a Parcel
Surf `n' Turf
Essence of Italy
Wild Food
Fast Food
Quick & Easy
`5 Ways with Greens'
Retro Dining
Sole Food
`5 Ways with Carrots'
Spring Chicken
Christmas Dinner
Pig Roast
Paella for a Crowd
Summer Entertaining
sandwiched between a 'Recipe List'/'Introduction' and a 4-page section entitled `Basics', finished up with a concise index.
Easy-to-read, well laid out recipes, arranged as menus, which have clear guidelines on preparing ahead as well as defined recipe benchmarks.
`The menus take the effort out of planning a balanced three-course meal and guide you on scheduling your time to ensure a stress-free meal.'
Easy to mix and match.
The selection `ranges from traditional Sunday roasts to lighter summer fare, from easy 30-minute meals to Italian, Indian and Moroccan influenced family feasts`.
Emphasis is put on buying the right ingredients, preparation and serving as well as helping to co-ordinate the cooking of several dishes to arrive on the table at the same time, a skill even the most talented may not master at the best of times!
A highly enjoyable DVD is included, with some editions, from Optomen TV - showing Gordon's unfussy cooking style and presentation of:-
An Antipasti Plate of `Stuffed Courgette Rolls', Marinated Mushrooms', Beetroot with Roquefort', 'Whole Baked Salmon with Herbs and Caramelised Lemons with Pink Grapefruit Sauce', Passion Fruit and Banana Soufflé.
(note the reference to a successfully cooked soufflé - `the `love handle' - the sign of a perfect soufflé`!)
Without doing Gordon any injustice there is a faint hint of Jamie Oliver in his TV mannerisms and presentation, with not a mention of the real 'F' word, so suitable for all the family to watch.
In our opinion, a very good first if new to Gordon's unique style of cookery writing, but equally handy a book to add to your GR collection, if a fan.
At an excellent price on Amazon, today.
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79 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great tips, great recipes, 19 Nov 2006
I am a convert. I thought Gordon Ramsey's recipes would be too complicated and fussy - wrong! This book is excellent, so is Gordon Ramsey Makes It Easy. I am an avid cook and own a vast range of cookery books, so it was a revelation that within a few minutes of skimming this book, I had learnt a few tips that I have now adopted and they actually work.
Despite Mr Ramsey's fame, he is a no-nonesense chef and his enthusiasm and passion, got me going. I have since cooked a number of his recipes - all worked and all were delicious. I also agree about Sunday lunches and eating together as a family - whilst growing up, those lunches were a ritual and hold many happy memories - it is a great shame that for many, this time together with either family or friends, no longer holds the same appeal.
As far as Mr Ramsey being a self-promoter, what of it? If anyone had a modicum of his talent, and the opportunity, who wouldn't do the same? As for being in danger of over-exposure, I don't think he has much to fear. Unlike a number of other celebrity chefs, he hasn't given up what he does best - cooking. No, I don't think he has many sleepless nights worrying about that - if his bubble bursts, he is in the fortunate position of being at the very pinnacle of what he does.
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237 of 257 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Top Cook book, 6 Jul 2006
This is an excellent cook book that is a must for all home cooks. Where as some of Ramsays books have been very complicated & aimed at the very skilled cook this is a book that anyone can try. The dishes are interesting & inspiring & the various sections break the book down well.
Ramsays last book tried to do the same thing bust the dishe were bland and a little boring (a bit ainley harriotish!) Where as this book has some excellent reecipes that are simple yet very tasty i.e. vesison & chocolate sauce. If you have watched the F word or just like cooking buy this book it is excellent & a must have
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