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10 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Much More Than Expected - And I Expected a Lot! Sep 25, 2011
By AgnesMack
Corked & Forked really exceeded my expectations in every way. The layout was beautiful and the photographs were positively mouth watering but it was the content that really impressed me.
This a book that can be enjoyed by all and that offers really useful tips, like using your refrigerator's crisper drawer if you don't have a bowl large enough to brine a large piece of meat, or freezing beef to make it easier to slice.
Those who are new to cooking will appreciate that each recipe includes step by step directions of all the necessary preparation. For example, the chef's take on deviled eggs thoroughly covers the best methods for cooking the eggs.
It's also a book that even the most seasoned home chefs will be inspired by. Most of the recipes are unlike anything I've ever heard of. Grilled watermelon with olives and feta, and salmon ceviche with crispy chickpeas were some of my favorites. Even the recipes that we've all seen done before have a unique twist that I never would have thought of, like a turkducken recipe that only includes one full animal and simply incorporates the essence of other ingredients.
Of course one of the things that drew me to this book was the drink pairings and they did not disappoint! The book is split into four sections, each corresponding with a season, and within each section are several chapters, each one focusing on a meal. The pairings at the end of each meal were extremely useful and gave several options. Many of the pairings also included a choice of one beverage that could go with the entire meal but also broke it down to a drink for each portion of the meal.
I also appreciated that the author didn't just list what drinks should go with which foods but actually talked about why they worked in very simple terms. Not only do I now have a list of specific food and drink pairings but I have a better understanding of how to match them myself.
The author clearly planned his book very carefully and it showed. For example, the summer sections focused on recipes that don't require you to heat up your house by using your stove. Many of those recipes were grilled but the author was quick to point out that he'd accomplished them all using just a $25 grill.
The writing style was casual and fun but the author certainly proved himself to be an expert on the topics. I enjoyed many of his little asides, such as his pairing advice for one specific meal: "Stay away from white zinfandel or anything with a cartoon animal on it."
My favorite section was the farmer's market section, which focused on using fresh, local ingredients. Some of these recipes sounded really delectable, like the fava beans with mint and bacon and the strawberries with sour cream and brown sugar. Yum!
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 Corked & Forked: Four Seasons of Eats and Drinks Sep 15, 2011
By Diamond
The book is absolutely well done. Initially I thought that this was going to
be a traditional cookbook; basically a bullet list of steps in order to
prepare a particular dish. Upon reading the introduction, I realized that I
was going to get more than what I bargained for.
The book is well written. There is a unique conversational tone that is used
which makes it seem that an old friend is simply telling you how to make his
favorite dish. It is this tone that makes it easy to forget you are reading a
cookbook. The recipe directions are easy to follow which allows a novice to
understand and prepare the incorporated dishes.
It is very clear that the author is both skilled and passionate about the
culinary arts. He is very detailed and specific, yet still easy to follow
and understand throughout the book. From the introductory information about
the dishes being prepared to the beautifully captured images; the author's
personal touch is strongly felt.
I truly believe there is something for everyone within this book.
Vegetarians will be pleased by the number of dishes that suit their needs.
Also, social beings such as me who like to host parties and gatherings will
love the many theme based meals within the book.
I also appreciate the organization of the book which makes planning quite
simple. It is broken down by season and then into smaller subsets which
further simplifies the meal or event planning process.
Those who purchase the book will enjoy it for its recipes as well as its
tidbits of information located on every page. Not only have I prepared great
meals for friends and family, but I have learned a lot about the art of
cooking. I have gained insights about condiments, beverage pairings, and so
much more. I have been able to take risks in my cooking that I would not
ordinarily take and that has proven to produce some wonderfully tasty and
fun meals for those around me.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Amazing Assortments of Recipes Oct 12, 2011
By Angela
The book Corked & Forked has a truly wide assortment of menus grouped together in a tidy order. It is a great one for a starter as it defines each meal in a clear and concise manner. Everything is listed in a perfect order so that when you want to cook a specific meal then all you have to do is turn to the relevant page number read the ingredients listed, make the suggested preparations and you can easily come up with the desired recipe made to perfection. From outdoor summer picnics to full meal courses, the author has thoughtfully penned together the right blend of eatables and accompanied drinks to make each occasion a confirmed success.
I was not aware that a simple burger can be prepared in such varieties of ways. For me burger just came in a few standard varieties such as chicken burger, hamburger, cheese burger and so on. But, here I was presented with the yummy Vegetabalarian burger and the mouth watering Wagyu~ish burger that really are a great assortments of flavors. The writer seems to be an experimentalist who loves to experiment and come up with new and tempting recipes. He seems to understand the textures of food and is so much comfortable in the cuisine department that his ease simply reaches out to you. He builds a confidence in the reader that we can plan any menu and any event for our family and friends simply by closely following the lines of the book. Hence, your fingers just itches to try out the various recipes listed there and bag the praises of everyone.
I usually prefer non-veg food over the veggies, but some of the vegetarian recipes (like the grilled watermelon salad) looked so good that I am even tempted to try them out. On a smaller note, the thing that attracted me to this cookbook was that the author has stuck to the basic utensils in making all the recipes. This way an ordinary individual can use it to make tempting delights in his kitchen without the need to buy any costly appliances or ingredients. Corked & Forked is for keeps and I think I would forever look back to it in deciding any special event in my home even in the distant future.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Corked & Forked Review Sep 28, 2011
By Joy
Corked & Forked is unlike any cookbook I have come across on the market today. Most cookbooks offer a little introductory information about the author and then proceed to have page after page of boring step by step recipes. If you are lucky you might get an image of what the dish is supposed to look like, but that is about it. Corked & Forked is so much more than this. It is not only a guide to cooking some of the most unique and tasteful dishes, but it is also a tool to help you become a more cultured and knowledgeable chef altogether.
One thing in particular that I appreciate is the book's organization. As someone who admittedly suffers from a slight case of OCD, I love the ease with which I am able to find recipes. Not only are meals categorized by season, but they are also subcategorized which offers a great system when looking for a specific dish to coincide with a specific theme or event.
Whether you are looking for a meal to coincide with your Fourth of July theme, looking for some dishes to add to the Thanksgiving menu, or simply looking for something new to introduce to your family; there is no shortage of ideas.
I found it an added bonus that the cookbook contained a mass amount of information aside from simple recipes. I learned about so many aspects of the culinary arts that I inevitably found myself growing as a chef without even trying. I now know about many aspects from condiments to drink pairings which are all very significant to the overall preparation and presentation of the dishes that are prepared.
I would have to say that I love this book. In fact, that may be an understatement. It has certainly made its way onto my list of most frequently referenced cookbooks when preparing for dinner parties or when looking to spice things up for my friends and family.
Those who read it will find that it is a great addition to their cookbook arsenal and find that it is a huge asset in the kitchen.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A Literary Cookbook, Funny and Brilliant Sep 09, 2011
By Kay
I must admit I have not tried any of the recipes yet. They look very simple and I am planning on trying them out once I have some free time.
It's probably odd that I am giving a cookbook five stars when I haven't tried any of the recipes, but I do have my reasons. My glowing review is for how this book is written. The language is crisp and evocative, and beautifully textured scenes bring each chapter to a surprisingly vibrarant life. This is not what I expected from a cookbook, and was very pleased. I am recommending Corked and Forked for it's the gentle humor, clever insights, and simply brilliant writing.
If the recipes are half as good as the writng and the stunning food photographs, I will be buying a copy of this book for everyone on my Christmas list.
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