Beyond Parsley: Beautiful Food

Received book today. I realize the book was quite inexpensive, especially for a book described as "like new." What I found is significant fading in the book jacket (I bought a new copy decades ago when the book was released, so I know how a like new jacket would appear), and there is a tear in the jacket. I briefly leafed through and found some food(?) stains on pages. I'll enjoy the recipes, but I could never display the book.

This is probably my all-time favorite cookbook (and I have many, many cookbooks). The recipes range from simple to prepare meals for a busy weeknight to elegant meals for entertaining guests or clients. My family's favorites are the Chicken Romano (very easy, very elegant) and the Mizzou Barbecue Sauce. I whipped up an extra-large batch of the BBQ sauce last year and gave it with my grandma's brisket recipe to our friends and neighbors. They raved about how good it was (and well it should be given that Kansas City is famous for having some of the world's finest barbecue). The cookbook also has inventive and tasty vegetable, dessert and pasta recipes, as well as a brunch section which I use every year for a Christmas brunch. I highly recommend this book. If you love to cook, you will not be disappointed.

I stole this cookbook from my mom's kitchen after trying a couple of the recipes she prepared. The all-out favorite recipe is the Gazpacho Blanca. Make double or triple batches as friends will come back for more and will want to take some home. Other great recipes: Parmesan chicken, Spinach provolone soup, Curried chicken spread, and strawberry spinach salad.

I bought this cookbook when it first came out and have always recommended it to friends who like to cook. I have confidence in the recipes because I know that each was tested by the KCJL cookbook committee, which is probably one reason they include such great notes. Among my favorite recipes: Cheddar Carousel, Hearts of Palm Salad with Herb Dressing, Szechwan Chicken, Sesame Asparagus, Creamy Lemon Rice, and Coffee Toffee Pie. Makes me hungry just thinking about them!

I have made almost everything in this book, and it comes out great! There is a lot of variety and you don't need exotic, hard to find ingredients. This is a first class cookbook that should be on every cook's shelf.

A friend of the family was a member of the Junior League in KC after this book was published, and made a few dishes from it for the holidays. I loved the White Salsa and other recipes so much that I bought the book in order to find out what else is hidden in its covers. I reccomend this book to everyone who enjoys cooking. Many thanks to the ladies of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri.