Cabin Cooking

This is one of a series of specialty cookbooks put out by Williams-Sonoma. It's amazingly comprehensive for such a small book. The photos are wonderful, both for illustration and inspiration. It makes some standard recipes easier to handle in the vacation home setting, suggests possible substitutions which makes it good for different seasons and locations, and has notes on planning and packing the vacation pantry. I'd give it 5 stars if it included more make-ahead and snacky types of things, and more vegetarian options. There are a lot of hearty meat dishes in the dinner category. Some snacks to have in the fridge would be a lifesaver for the hostess or head of family who doesn't want to spend his/her vacation cooking. Still, one of the best of the genre, especially given the handy size.

Cabin Cooking is one of my favorites. We especially like the Mountain Breakfast Scones because they are easy, taste great, and require only ingredients you are likely to have on hand. The Turkey with Root Vegetables is also easy, and tastes and looks like you have slaved all day. Likewise, the Spinach and Chorizo Scramble, and the Flank Steak with Tomato Corn Relish. Great color pictures for most recipes. This is the only cookbook we take camping or to the cottage with us!

I borrowed this book from a friend and kept going back every week to photocopy yet another recipe. I finally decided it would be easier if I just bought my own copy. The Greek rice salad always gets rave reviews at parties and the Sangria recipe is by far the best I have ever found.